Thank you!
I want to start by saying, I am very pleased with the outcome of this event & I want to thank each & every person for their time, energy, & effort that you are putting forth. It’s quite a demanding event, both on the planning & logistics side as well as the operator’s side. Your contribution is much appreciated by those we’re serving as well as myself. Not very often do we get an opportunity to use our hobby & expertise to assist others with the enjoyment of their hobby. This is a great opportunity to meet other volunteers & share a unique experience while helping to keep close to 300 people safe. We also get to do it in the beautiful hills of TN & KY which in my opinion a gorgeous time of the year. Also, there’s various “Themes” going on at the Aid Stations & you might just run into the Grim Reaper somewhere…. as I hear he’s going to be lurking. 💀 So we’re going to have a little fun along the way too.
I’m also excited that we will be joined by some of our neighbors from the North for the first time. The “Lake Cumberland Amateur Radio Association” from Kentucky among other hams from the surrounding area will operate 3x Priority stations on the KY side. So, we look forward to working with them this year & hopefully many more to come!
Thank you very much for your support, & your participation! These events would not be possible without communications to keep folks safe. I look forward to seeing everyone soon!
73,
Austin Cates K5QF
Concept of Operation
1. All amateur radio operators (RADOs) will check in with the net control station (NCS) upon arrival at their assigned aid stations. The NCS will be on the 145.350 Mhz repeater (PL 77 Hz) and will be staffed by various volunteers.
2. Starting at 08:30am Friday the amateur radio NCS will be located at Bandy Creek. Bandy Creek will handle all traffic from the south side of the course. Bandy Creek as the NCS will remain operational after the aid station closes to handle traffic to/from Duncan Hollow until the sweep arrives there which should be around 8:00pm. Bandy Creek NCS will also handle traffic for the Blue Heron aid station from 6:00pm through 8:00pm. At 8:00pm NCS will transfer from Bandy Creek to Peters Mountain. Peters Mountain will handle all traffic on the north side of the course which includes Blue Heron and Great Meadows until the sweep arrives at Great Meadows around 1:45pm on Saturday. Communication from Bandy Creek to Peters Mountain will be via EMA radio frequencies as to minimize the traffic to/from the EMA NCS.
3. All RADOs should have more than a handheld transceiver for primary communications and vehicle or portable antenna due to the location of the aid-stations. A backup radio and antenna are highly suggested. A clipboard and paper should be available for taking notes and handling messages.
4. RADOs will be advised by NCS (if and when) to switch to the designated simplex frequency of 146.530 Mhz for tactical communications. The repeater will be the primary frequency for command and emergency communications. The NCS and other relay stations will monitor both frequencies.
5. All RADOs shall remain at the assigned aid-station until the race-sweep has arrived at their location. Requests to re-deploy shall be made to NCS and approved before re-deploying. Do not leave your aid-station unattended without radio communications. RADOs must notify NCS when they arrive, when they are fully setup and when they demobilize.
6. RADOs are expected to notify NCS when the first runner comes into their aid station, any runners needing medical attention, any runners that decide to drop out of the race, when the last known runner arrives and when the trail sweepers (people who run behind the group to ensure all participants make it to the next aid station) and when the sweepers leave.
a. As a secondary role the RADOs may be asked to call in the status of runners which may include their bib number, their time of arrival and departure at the aid station. Recording of the information is provided by others and the RADOs only need to communicate that information to NCS.
Safety
1. All amateur radio volunteers are responsible for their own safety first and then the safety of others.
2. All amateur radio operators (RADOs) are strongly encouraged to wear either an ARES vest, a safety vest or other means of being readily identifiable as the RADOs.
3. Be prepared for conditions during your assigned time. Consider sunscreen and bottled water for those operating during the day and flashlights and warm drinks for those at night. As a volunteer we are expected to be self-sufficient for the duration of your assignment which includes bringing your own food and drink.
4. As a RADOs role is primarily communications. Do not exceed any level of training with the respect to first aid, CPR etc. It is ok to help with other aid station duties if time allows but remember that we are there primarily for communications.
5. In the event of an emergency the net control station (NCS) will have the ability to communicate directly with E-911 dispatchers and the race sponsor as necessary.
a. Alternatively, if a cell phone signal is available the RADOs may contact E-911 directly and advise NCS of the situation in that order. The most important piece of information for E-911 is your precise location followed by the nature of the emergency. If they can’t find you, they can’t help you!
AID Station
1
Pickett State Park
8:30 AM
Friday
10:45 AM
Friday
KY4QT Stephen Anderson
—————
2
Sawmill
9:30 AM
Friday
12:30 PM
Friday
K4CFM Charlie McGee
—————
3
Charit Creek
10:30 AM
Friday
2:45 PM
Friday
KI4LCH Greg Wagner
—————
4
Bandy Creek
8:30 AM
Friday
TBD
Friday
N1ATS Al Perkins
KY4QT Stephen Anderson
4
Bandy Creek
TBD
Friday
8:00 PM
Friday
KF4TY Bill Green
KC8VTT Nancy Green
5
Grand Gap
12:15 PM
Friday
5:45 PM
Friday
W7BSF Buddy McCartt
KI4KXZ David Ellis
6
Duncan Hollow
1:30 PM
Friday
8:00 PM
Friday
KD2LSA Dinah Wagner
WB3AJS Lee Wagner
7
Laurel Hill
3:15 PM
Friday
11:15 PM
Friday
EMA ONLY
EMA ONLY
8
Ledbetter
4:45 PM
Friday
2:00 AM
Saturday
EMA ONLY
EMA ONLY
9
Blue Heron (Loop)
6:00 PM
Friday
10:00PM
Friday
AC4DM Don Muncy
WM4LM Wanda Munsey
10
Blue Heron (Loop)
10:00 PM
Friday
7:00AM
Saturday
KK6FAP Marcello Jacobs
KF9ZJ Carey Woodings
11
Bald Knob
8:30 PM
Friday
8:45 AM
Saturday
EMA ONLY
EMA ONLY
12
Spring Branch
9:30 PM
Friday
10:30 AM
Saturday
EMA ONLY
EMA ONLY
13
Peters Mountain
8:00 PM
Friday
8:00AM
Saturday
KY4BDP Brian Perry
KY4CKP Chris Perry
13
Peters Mountain
8:00AM
Saturday
1:45 PM
Saturday
WA4JQS Tony DePrato
KK4JPX Ben Ollo
13
Peters Mountain
8:00AM
Saturday
1:45 PM
Saturday
N3XYZ Timothy Sowders
—————
14
Great Meadows
9:30 PM
Friday
7:30AM
Saturday
KD6FTR Mike McRoberts
KI6ZEA Jacob McRoberts
14
Great Meadows
7:30AM
Saturday
1:45PM
Saturday
KO4OSS Josh Kent
KO4ZJK Roger Colyer