To All Coweta County ARES and BGMRC Members, BRAG Volunteers, and others,
The BRAG 2001 Bikefest is now history. Although I have not heard a final figure, over 500 bikers descended on Newnan and Coweta County over the past weekend (Oct 5-7) for a three day bike riding event. Participants camped at the Newnan High School, and rode various courses each day, ranging from 8.1 mile "Family Rides" to 104 "Century Rides". The rides wound through the back roads of Coweta and Meriwether counties.
The Coweta County ARES and other area Hams assisted with this event by providing communications support between the Headquarters, various rest stops, and SAG wagons that continually patrolled the routes. At my first count, Ham volunteers put in over 173 man-hours during the event, not including the setup Thursday afternoon!
The BGMRC's 145.130 repeater provided excellent coverage through the majority of the course. The BGMRC also purchased two APRS Tiny Trak" units and associated hardware used to track the SAGs. Despite occasional local interference (the command center was parked under power lines), APRS proved its worth. We installed a temporary digipeater near Luthersville to provide coverage as far south as Warm Springs.
Although there were not many emergencies (only one wreck that required EMS transport, as far as I know), there were countless administrative messages passed between the rest stops, trying to ensure each location had enough paper cups, water, and bananas.
Hams alerted the event staff when no rest stop volunteers showed up at one critical rest stop, filled in when the rush of riders almost overwhelmed volunteers at other spots, and shuttled supplies between rest stops. The Hams braved rain, wind, 42 degree temperatures (and occasionally poorly-marked maps and routes) to ensure a safe, worry free weekend for the participants.
The following Hams (in no particular order) assisted with this event. I apologize now if I leave someone out from this list. K4WPM, W4XXV, N9VRO, N4HIC, WD4PAG, WD4PIF, KD4FTK, KN4FD, N4TEY, KA4JNB, KG4FDM, N4MAP, KG4MAT, DL5MAV, WA4UPE, KG4NCP, AND KG4KTO. A special thank you to KE4QLH and KB4TXS, who worked all day, all three days.
Brian, KB4TXS donated the use of his new camper for use as a command center. He set up radios for Net Control, as well as computers for APRS. He also was able to check into the GA ARES Simulated Emergency Test held on Saturday, using both voice (HF SSB) and VHF packet. By spending the night at the site, Brian was able to get emergency medical attention for a camper who seriously injured her hand during the night. She was transported to the hospital for stitches. She knew she could get help at the camper with all the antennas!
I also want to thank Sam, N4MAP, for assembling the APRS Tiny Traks, and for loaning the equipment for the digipeater. Thanks to Bill, K4WPM for loaning a mobile rig and additional equipment. Others also loaned equipment, but since I'm writing this off of the top of my head, please forgive me for not recalling everything. Thanks to Roni, N4ODI, for allowing me to place a high gain antenna 40' up in a pine tree in her yard for the digipeater, and to Mike, KN4FD, for helping me get it up there.
Thanks to Eddie Ball, WB4QAU (Coweta County EMA and 911 Director) for allowing us the use of the County's Mobile Command Post for the weekend.
The BRAG staff were kind enough to offer T-shirts to the Ham volunteers. I have a pile of them in my truck. Contact me to get yours.
For everyone that loaned equipment, I will keep it in my truck until I see you again. Please get with me at your convenience to arrange a meeting.
Again, I'm certain that I have left someone out. Please forgive me if I did. The demands on the Hams during this event proved that we can come through when needed. We showed that we are willing and very able to help the public when needed. Thanks again to everyone that helped with this event. I was proud to work with you this weekend.
73,
Sam Smith, KD4SHK
Emergency Coordinator, Coweta County ARES
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