MS 150: Gamblers Classic
2001 Radio Operators Guide
Post Event Update

Special Tactical Call Signs

Mobile Positions

Saturday Fixed Positions

Map courtesy MapBlast!

Sunday Fixed Positions

Map courtesy MapBlast!

Frequencies

Amateur Radio operators are encouraged to have CB radios as part of their stations. The Motorcycle volunteers operate on these frequencies. Check with NET CONTROL for the channel they are using.

Voice Net Operating Procedures

Channel Plan

Our voice net requires several repeaters to cover the entire course. NET CONTROL may use one or more repeater systems at a time to reach all stations.

Tri-State is allowing us to use their closed repeaters for the weekend only. We will not give Tri-State repeater frequencies or PL tones over the air. NET CONTROL will refer to them by channel number or collectively as "Tri-State". We expect to operate our voice net on this system Saturday. These repeaters are linked together. Stations may use whichever frequency gives them and NET CONTROL the clearest communications.

145.110 is our talk in frequency for Saturday morning. You can contact COMMAND POST for directions, radio checks, etc.

Use 147.300 for talk in on Sunday morning.

NET CONTROL may operate the net on other repeaters or simplex frequencies if required.

Controlled Net

We are operating a controlled net during the event. All traffic should go through NET CONTROL. Stations on the net may contact each other directly with permission of NET CONTROL.

Any operators who need transportation after their postion closes, should notify NET CONTROL when they check in to the net. A sag or other vehicle can move them down the course.

Priority Communications

Any station with emergency or priority traffic should start with "Break break emergency" or "Break priority". NET CONTROL will acknowledge emergency traffic before priority traffic and both before normal traffic.

In a medical emergency, provide the following information to NET CONTROL:

1. Is the victim conscious?
2. Is the victim breathing?
3. What is the victim's age?
4. What is the victim's sex?
5. What is the victim's weight?
6. What are the symptoms?
7. What is the location of the victim?

Privacy

Do not use full names on the air. Hams can be refered to by given name and call sign, other volunteers by given name and position. Refer to riders by given name and rider number.

Tactical Call Signs

We use the position names as our tactical calls to help NET CONTROL and other operators identify who is calling (ie, NET CONTROL from SAG THREE). FCC call signs should be given with the tactical call when a station is done with a series of transmissions or more frequently as required by FCC rules.

Net Check In

Each station will contact NET CONTROL and check in when ready. NET CONTROL will anounce the start of the controlled net but will not conduct a roll call check in. At times, NET CONTROL may operate a controlled net on more than one non-linked channel. When that's the case, check in to the new net when changing channels.

Instructions

All Hams

Attend the Pre-event meeting on Tuesday 2 October 2001 at the MS office.

Report in person to COORDINATOR at 6:00am on Saturday 13 October 2001.

Lunches are available at REST STOP #6. Hams and other volunteers who pass through are welcome to eat there. Most will have to pack their own lunch.

Because of permit limitations, we must have all bikes off the course by 5:00pm. Expect the net to close down by 5:30pm.

The Flamingo is our generous host for the evening. Help show the hotels how much we appreciate their support and wear your MS 150 T-shirt during the evening!

On Sunday we meet at the START LINE at 7:00am.

All are invited to attend the FINISH LINE party Sunday afternoon.

Attend the Post-event meeting at the MS office. We want your feedback.

Medic

Trained volunteers provide first aid and emergency medical assistance.

The Radio Operator keeps NET CONTROL advised of the medics location and passes NET CONTROL's instructions on to the medic. Be prepared to carry third party traffic. This may include handing a medic your mike to talk directly to someone who is with an injured person. In an emergency, quick communications are essential.

Set up your station in your medic's vehicle. Plan to leave no evidence you were ever there, these vehicles were loaned to us for the one event only. A mobile radio or amp for your HT may be needed to cover the entire course.

Contact NET CONTROL when your station is operational and your medic is ready.

Repair

Bicycle mechanics travel forward on the course, stopping at Rest Stops to repair bikes. The repair wagon may sag bikes forward but should not stop on the route for repairs. Repair may skip Rest Stops but will not travel back along the course. Sag wagons will bring bikes forward for repair.

The Radio Operator keeps NET CONTROL advised of repair's location and passes NET CONTROL's instruction on to the mechanics.

Set up your station in the mechanic's vehicle. A mobile radio or amp for your HT may be needed to cover the entire course.

Contact NET CONTROL when your station is operational.

Sag

Sag wagons transport riders forward on the course. They also watch for tired or injured riders. Most Sag wagons are owned and driven by the Radio Operator.

Travel the course as directed by NET CONTROL.

If you lose contact with NET CONTROL, travel forward on the course from TURTLE for about 15 miles, then return. Pick up riders when sagging in either direction and sag them forward as far as they like, but not past the next rest stop. Tell any radio operators you find at rest stops what you are doing. They will relay to NET CONTROL.

Do not drop off riders at REST STOP #10 or any place you feel is unsafe. Travel forward until you find a place that is safe for the rider and Sag Wagon.

Sags will take turns following the last rider on the course. Answer to the Tac callsign TURTLE as well as your SAG call. You may sag the last rider forward but do not pass any others until another sag takes over as TURTLE. Net control will usually assign a new sag as TURTLE whenever one reaches the back. TURTLE also picks up signs marking the Rest Stops. These signs should be transfered to TRUCK TWO when possible.

A dual band mobile radio or amp for your HT may be needed to cover the entire course. If you are not sagging in your own truck, set up your station in your sag wagon (probably a pickup truck). Plan to leave no evidence you were ever there.

Contact NET CONTROL when your station is operational and you are ready to sag.

Command Post

A motor home with two Radio Operators will be used as COMMAND POST. The motor home will be parked in a location with access to all repeater systems we plan to use during the event, but may be moved if needed. Thew will be no facilities available near the motor home. The Command Post may be located on the route but will not provide any services to riders.

The Radio Operators are our primary NET CONTROL operators, maintain contact with all other stations, maintain logs and course information, and maintain the Command Post itself.

Each operator should set up a separate station in the Command Post. Both stations may have to operate at the same time on the same band without interfering with each other. A CB radio at one of the stations can be used to communicate with the motorcycles. Bring food, drinks, and other personal items.

Start the net at 6:00am on Saturday and make contact with the COORDINATOR. Sunday start at 7:00am.

You will need to supply your own transportation.

Coordinator

This Radio Operator provides an interface between the Amateur Radio Voice Net and event officials. Your primary responsibility is to inform the Director when NET CONTROL needs his input and advise NET CONTROL of his instructions. You may also assist with other communications tasks.

Provide your own vehicle. Be prepaired to provide the Director with transportation. You can use an HT when out of the vehicle. A mobile radio or amp for your HT may be needed to cover the entire course.

Contact NET CONTROL when your station is operational and the director is ready.

Rest Stops

Volunteers staff each Rest Stop to give riders water, sports drink, and snacks. They also help with bikes, encouragement, and cheer riders along. Portable toilets are available at each Rest Stop. Rest Stops are located along the highway, usually on packed dirt without any shelter. The Rest Stops are not safe for young children.

Radio operators maintain communications between the Rest Stop and NET CONTROL. Have fun with the other volunteers, help out where you can, and be a proud ambassador for Amateur Radio.

There is room at all Rest Stops to park a vehicle. Hams may operate from their vehicles but are encouraged to set up a portable station close to the other volunteers. Expect to supply everything you'll need for your station. Repeater coverage varies at each Rest Stop and is quite poor at some. Plan on setting up the best station you can. A CB radio to communicate with the motorcycles may be useful. You will also need your own comfort items such as sun block, a chair, food, etc.

Check in to the net and notify NET CONTROL when your station is operational. Notify NET CONTROL when TURTLE passes.