Welcome Appalachian Trail Hikers!

We hope you are having an exciting time exploring the A.T. This part of Pennsylvania is pretty amazing if we may say so!  

Blackskye Community Radio Association (BSCRA) is excited to make its repeater available to everyone passing through on the A.T. We know there are some cellular dead zones along the trail making getting help a challenge if needed, so we are glad to offer a resource that may be used to call for help or simply inquire about the closet town, stores, urgent care, etc. Or just to say, hello :) 

Even with low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite messaging built into the latest iPhones and some Android phones, finding a clear view of the sky in the mountain can be challenging. And with LEO satellite service still in beta, it may not work as intended. Making contact with GMRS radio can come through for the win.

This part of the A.T. is serviced by Franklin County 911 & Washington County, MD 911. Both have text-to-911 capability. 

Trail Coverage

The BSCRA repeater provides coverage to an estimated 25 miles of trail extending from the Deer Lick Shelter to Washington Monument State Park. Due to geography, coverage on a hand-held radio can fade in and out along the trail. This part of the A.T runs along the ridge line between 1300ft to 1800ft. The lower elevation parts of the ridge line can be blocked by higher adjacent ridge lines resulting in attenuated radio signals. 

The following shelters and campsite are covered by the BSCRA repeater. 

• Deer Lick Run

• Raven Rock

• Pogo Memorial Campsite 

• Ensign Cowell

• Pine Knob