PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES - Information for Amateur Radio Operators

 

General information:

Typically, race participants (bicyclists and runners) will wear a large number on a bib, usually viewable from their front and sometimes the rear.  They are not always easy to see, however, considering that they are racing by you as fast as they can!  If a racer should ask – some courses have port-o-pottys, and some don’t.

 

Day/time/duration:

The public service activities that we support are almost always on Sunday mornings, so this may be a limiting factor for you.  Some events will need you to be on station quite early in the morning.  Most of these happenings will conclude in three or four hours after they start.

 

Weather:

Quite often a race will be billed as "rain or shine".  This doesn't mean severe weather, however.  Thunderstorms or snow/ice storms will be cause for cancellation.

If in doubt on a particular morning, monitor a designated repeater for any possible announcement.

 

What we do:

1.  Report to Net Control via the designated radio channel when you arrive        at your station.

2.  Report medical or accidental situations concerning race participants.

    If an emergency, call 911 by whatever means possible - your or                  someone else's cell phone; or Net Control, who will call 911 for you.

    Identify your street, the nearest cross-street, and your ADC map                location, if known.

    Report a participant’s number, gender and situation, but -never- their          name on an amateur frequency.

3.  Report the number of the fastest (one or two) (male or female)                    participants as they pass you.

4.  Report unexpected events or conditions concerning the race course:            incorrect or missing signs or ground        markings, traffic interference        or congestion.

5.  Report insufficient supplies (water, bananas, medical supplies, etc.) if          you are at a water stop.

6.  Report lost people or items, or handle other requests from Net Control.

7.  Depart your station only when released by Net Control.

 

What we don't do:

Under normal circumstances, we don't give medical aid and we don't direct traffic.

 

How we talk:

Always say the call sign of the station you are calling, then say "this is", then say your call sign - in that order. Often, an activity will indicate that certain Functional Call Signs are to be used that facilitate rapid exchanges between stations.  E.g., Net Control, Water Stop 3, Northern Turnaround, First Car, Coordinator, Last Car. It is considered good practice, after you have conversed using these call signs, to end your transmission series with your amateur call sign, at least every ten minutes.  Example:  "Net Control this is Water Stop 4"  "This is Net Control"  "We have run out of water"  "Roger, Water Stop 4, water is on the way"  "Roger, K3TED"  "N3SEO".

 

Radio equipment:

The most frequently used radio is a dual-band (146 & 440 mHz) HT; secondarily used is a mobile.  You should, of course, have your HT battery fully charged before the event.  You should also carry a spare charged battery with you.  Program all needed frequencies ahead of the event, and always transmit using HIGH power. The stock HT antenna is almost never very efficient (especially on the 440 mHz band), so an after-market antenna, although slightly more awkward because it is longer, can make a huge difference in your being able to be heard.  (One source is http://mfjenterprises.com and search for MFJ-1717; get the right connector for your HT.)  If trying to be heard from a marginal area, STAND STILL – don’t move around.  Use a cross-band repeater at your own discretion.  Finally, if you will be conversing in a noisy environment (such as a Finish Line), consider using a headset (noise-cancelling if possible) or a speaker-mic.

 

Personal factors:

Where will I park?  Will I have to walk some distance to get to my station?  Will I need to sit down all or part of the time I am operating?  What is my time duration capability away from a bathroom?  Will I be able to walk (or be taken) to a nearby bathroom?  Let the coordinator know if any of these things is a problem.

 

Personal supplies to consider:

Your Amateur Radio License, Name badge, water, snacks, (club) hat, (club) jacket, sunglasses, raincoat, comfortable/waterproof shoes, gloves, chair.  Also, clipboard, pen/pencil, and "Waterproof" baggie for your HT.  Consider wearing an orange ARES shirt and/or ARRL vest (for good visibility and a little ham radio "advertising"). Make or obtain a sign to put in your car window "advertising" this event as a Ham Radio Public Service activity.

Bring your cell phone, if you have one.  (Let Net Control know your number when you get set up.)