Click on any small image to view the enlargement

There was a good crowd on hand at the  bandstand in the main plaza just before the start of the walk. This year the weather was great!

This "cool dawg" is  about 15 feet high and stands guard at the loop on Hilton Point near the Phillip Greco Title tent.

by Dave Cunningham KC8IAQ

What do you get when you combine public service with amateur radio? This year, with the great weather pattern  it was just like a picnic. A ham radio picnic, that is! This event combines all of the desired elements hams crave, public service, emergency radio operation, and food, not to mention the great setting, and public exposure ham radio can receive.    

What is March of Dimes WalkAmerica?

The March of Dimes biggest fund-raiser, WalkAmerica supports pioneering  research and innovative programs that save babies born prematurely or with birth defects. Since its beginning in 1970, WalkAmerica has raised more than $1 billion to help give babies a fighting chance. 

The USECA Club, amateurs, and volunteers in our area combine together creating a communications and support infrastructure critical to the success of the event. All of this, and the event still provides a load of fun that's full of "radio-activities" for amateurs!

Activities like a special event station! To help promote  WalkAmerica, the call sign W8A is used. You can earn the rugged and handsome W8A certificate for completing a contact with us on 2 meter SSB, 20 meter HF Phone, or 40 meter HF Phone. 

Activities like a CW QRP station set up, just because we like to make contacts and practice up for the big time USECA Field Day while manning the checkpoint! What a great way to blend public service and your favorite hobby. 

In this setting, amateur radio gets maximum public exposure no matter where you help out. It's our opportunity to "give back" to the hobby. It is what our real purpose and justification is. Those who participate, are rewarded by the deep satisfaction from volunteerism, especially when it is for such a worthy cause. 

With all of the interesting things along the walk through the park, it's easy to become separated. The possibility of the need for medical attention could arise at any time. So, there is a need for instant communication and good coordination.

A mostly empty cargo van is used for the Net Control Station. Here, there are portable radios set up on ham and  the park frequencies. From here, vehicles with supplies and people are shuttled from point to point routinely. Checkpoint stations make it easy to track the progress from the beginning of the event until the end.  

Where and when is WalkAmerica held?

Now in  its 31st year, WalkAmerica is the first and best walking event in the nation, taking place in 1,400 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Routes vary in length, but most are about 20 kilometers (approximately 12 miles). In most communities, WalkAmerica is held at the last weekend of April. For us, it's at the Metropolitan Beach, on the shores of Lake St.Clair in South East Michigan. This time of year the weather just starts getting nice. The route winds past the beach, and around the park area on very scenic 4 mile path. To complete the circuit, you must pass through it 2 times, the equivalent of 8 miles.

The walk is a scenic pleasure that combines views of the lake, the marina, and gently winding green grass picnic areas. At each of the checkpoints, there are refreshments, fruit, give-aways, hotdogs, and other diversions.

There's not always a rush to complete the checkpoints. Many stop to enjoy the scenery or just relax a little near the docks of the North Marina and by the Lakeside Community Bank tent

Jim W1IK shows a close-up of the communications headset he uses while mobile on his bicycle

These guys cover everything in between the checkpoints, on their bicycles!

This is a combination checkpoint and QRP CW station set up at the edge of the water.

More genuine ham smiles and obvious enjoyment at the checkpoint by the Marina 

Marylyn K8PIK and Grace Pollman assist at the Net Control Station, at the nerve center of the operation

Bruce N8SLN helping out near the Net Control Station.