Monday, December 2, 2013

How And Why Ham Radio Operators Help At Many Race Events

Hams around the world routinely volunteer on their days off and bring their expensive ham radio equipment to races such as fundraising races, walks, marathons, etc.. I recently helped out for the MS Walk in Appleton, Wisconsin as a trained radio operator and I was glad to do it for several reasons. Here's the story:The MS Walk in Appleton, Wisconsin has hundreds of race / walk participants and a limited number of volunteers to service and control the race / walk. Communications from a trained team is great for a race like this. For example, if a racer needs medical attention along the race course then ham radio operators can quickly get help on the way. How? Through the use of an amateur radio network, otherwise known as a "net".In a typical race net communications event there is a net control operator usually at a central location. This central location is usually either manned by or connected to in some way race organizers, medical help, police, etc.. Ways to connect to these resources may be via other ham radios including either base stations, mobiles (in cars) or handheld radios that we hams call "HT's" for handy talkies.One nice advantage of use of a ham radio network at events like this is that it is instantaneous many-to-many communications. If something comes up that EVERYONE should know about - they will - and instantly. With use of cell phones or other smaller networks (police use their frequencies, fire uses their frequencies, etc.) everyone may not get the message at the same time. The disadvantage of a many-to-many network is that it can be disorganized. This is where there is a win-win situation with the ham radio community.Ham radio operators also operate their nets for other sometimes more serious purposes. For example, during severe weather nets (I am a trained storm spotter). In such a net it is very important for the safety of everyone involved to maintain good net discipline. Nets can be friendly and even informal, but hams must know when and how to talk. This is where volunteering for race events and the like creates a win-win situation. Hams get to practice their net discipline and help a good cause all at the same time. They also get to ensure their equipment works, etc.. They also get to make new friends and meet other resources in the community.Ham radio operators also can be, as I am, trained weather spotters that can and do interface directly with the National Weather Service offices and 9-1-1- call centers. This can be an invaluable resource when everyone in the race is too busy to be watching the weather.Are there enough supplies at the rest stops? We provide instant communications of such information. If needed I can use my A.P.R.S. (Automatic Packet Reporting System) capability to provide real-time tracking via Google maps for any race events. Some like to track the first place racer. Others like to track the last runner to determine when the race will be finished. Some like to track multiple events which is possible with multiple hams each equipped with A.P.R.S. (automatic packet reporting system) capabilities. These devices take the latitude and longitude data from a small G.P.S. sensor and sends that data out via ham radio transmissions. Any listening ham radio station can receive the A.P.R.S. data and send it into the internet where Google instantly displays it on their maps. When I do this at work, for example, I can see via the satellite map within 50 feet of where my car is in the company parking lot!It's also always fun to interact with other ham radio operators. During race events we have a chance to review what other ham radio operators have for radio communications equipment. We can discuss the capabilities and success of the equipment and get ideas and avoid overly expensive and poor performing equipment as well.



Jon Kreski, otherwise known as AB9NN (FCC Amateur Radio call sign) is an Extra class ham radio license holder. This is the highest level license available. Jon is a member of A.R.E.S. (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) and is qualified and authorized to participate in giving ham radio FCC license exams. Jon is also a severe storm spotter - trained by the National Weather Service. Jon works with SkyWarn, a national storm spotter group, to work in a many-to-many ham radio storm spotting network. Jon also provides free ham radio communications support to served agencies and serves as a volunteer to local marathons and races. Jon lives in the Appleton / Green Bay Wisconsin area and operates on HF mobile as well as on the local 2 meter repeaters. Jon uses e-QSL and LOTW.http://www.HamRadioResources.com/bloghttp://www.Twitter.com/AB9NN

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