![[gc2002-SaturdayMap.png ??kB]](gc2002-SaturdayMap.png)
This Guide provides information for volunteers along the course. Rest stop volunteers, turn marshals, medics, SAG drivers, and radio operators should all find parts of it useful. Thank you for spending your weekend with us and please take the time to review this guide.
The final update was prepaired after the Bike Tour. It attempts to document many of the changes we made and includes notes to help future planning.
The most recent version may be found at http://www.qsl.net/n7xsd/ms150.html.
-- Joseph Scanlan <[email protected]>
Our primary communications during the Bike Tour is Amateur Radio. All Medic Wagons and many SAG Wagons and Rest Stops have Amateur Radio Operators (hams). The hams operate on a controlled net, all communications are directed by a Net Control Operator (NCO). Non-hams may monitor the net using police scanners. Volunteers can send messages through an available ham or, if needed, can contact the NCO by phone.
The Motorcycle Route Patrol (Patrol) operate on CB channel 1 but may change channels if needed. The NCO will participate on CB but will not operate a controlled net.
Volunteers may telephone the NCO and leave a mobile phone number and the names of people who can be reached at that number. The NCO will log the numbers and names for call back when needed. Time available for placing non-emergency phone calls is limited.
| Channel | Frequency | (Offset) | Tone | Callsign | Comments |
| 1A | 448.5750 | (-) | 141.3 Hz | WB6TNP | Angel Peak (Tri-State closed system) SATURDAY: Henderson to Railroad Pass |
| 1B | 448.8000 | (-) | 141.3 Hz | WB6TNP | Nelson Peak (Tri-State closed system) SATURDAY: Railroad Pass to Searchlight |
| 1C | 448.7000 | (-) | 141.3 Hz | WB6TNP | Spirit Mt (Tri-State closed system) SATURDAY: Searchlight to Laughlin SUNDAY: Entire course but has poor coverage on Needles Hwy a couple of miles either side of Casino Dr |
| 2A | 449.1500 | (-) | 127.3 Hz | WA7HXO | Red Mt (linked to 448.250) SATURDAY: Start to Rest Stop #4 |
| 2B | 448.2500 | (-) | 131.8 Hz | N7SKO | Hualapai Mt (linked to 449.150) SATURDAY: Rest Stop #3 to Finish SUNDAY: Entire course |
| 3 | 446.0250 | (simplex) | none | Amateur FM | |
| 4 | 446.0000 | (simplex) | none | Amateur FM calling | |
| 5A | 145.2700 | (-) | 131.8 Hz | N7SKO | Spirit Mt (M-Cars linked system) SATURDAY: Rest Stop #7 to Finish SUNDAY: Entire course |
| 5B | 146.6100 | (-) | 131.8 Hz | N7SKO | Lake Havasu City (M-Cars linked system) |
| 5C | 146.7600 | (-) | 131.8 Hz | N7SKO | Hayden Peak (Kingman) (M-Cars linked system) SATURDAY: Spotty from Rest Stop #2 to Finish SUNDAY: Spotty entire course |
| 5D | 147.1200 | (-) | 131.8 Hz | N7SKO | Willow Beach (M-Cars linked system) |
| 6 | 145.1100 | (-) | 100.0 Hz | WA7HXO | Red Mt SATURDAY: Start Line to Rest Stop #3 |
| 7 | 147.3000 | (+) | 156.7 Hz | KC6ZTB | Spirit Mt SATURDAY: Rest Stop #6 to Finish Line SUNDAY: Entire course |
| 8 | 146.5200 | (simplex) | none | Amateur FM calling | |
| 9 | 146.5500 | (simplex) | none | Amateur FM | |
| 10 | 146.5800 | (simplex) | none | Amateur FM programmed in many HXO GE radios | |
| 11 | 144.3900 | (simplex) | none | APRS packet data |
Thanks to Bob Woollum, WB6TNP <[email protected]>, Las Vegas Repeater Association, WA7HXO http://www.hxo.com/, Hualapai Amateur Radio Club http://www.qsl.net/harc-az/, and Robert Lyons, KC6ZTB <[email protected]> for making their repeater systems available to us for the Bike Tour.
Our Amateur Radio channel plan includes several repeater systems to cover the entire course. Tri-State is supplying us with three linked repeaters from their closed system for the weekend. These linked repeaters cover the entire course. The NCO may also use other systems or simplex frequencies when needed. Please have the channel plan with you. Saturday talk in is on 145.1100 and Sunday is on 147.3000. Ask for any "MS 150 station".
Any station with emergency or priority traffic should start with "Break break emergency" or "Break priority". The NCO will acknowledge emergency traffic before priority traffic and both before normal traffic.
In a medical emergency, provide the following information to the NCO:
To provide some privacy, do not use full names on the air. Hams can be referred to by given name and call sign, other volunteers by given name and position. Refer to riders by given name and bib number.
We use the position names as our tactical calls to help the NCO and other operators identify who is calling (ie, NET CONTROL from SAG THREE). Give your FCC call with the tactical call to let the NCO know when you are done.
Each station will contact the NCO and check in when ready. The NCO will announce the start of the controlled net but will not conduct a roll call check in. At times, an NCO 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.
| Call | Description |
| COORDINATOR | Any ham that is handling communications for the Coordinator should respond to COORDINATOR as well as any other assigned tactical call. When contacting NET CONTROL, use the COORDINATOR call when it is most appropriate to do so. At most times, the Coordinator will be with MEDIC-3. |
| TURTLE | At all times, the last rider is followed by a support vehicle. TURTLE supports the last rider, informs turn marshals and rest stop volunteers that all riders have passed, keeps NET CONTROL advised of it's locations, and picks up event signs as the last rider passes. The ham in that vehicle should use the TURTLE tactical call as well as the tactical call assigned to the vehicle. SAG and Medic Wagons are all available to NET CONTROL as TURTLE. |
| NET CONTROL | PHONE 702 373-2222 The Net Control Operator (NCO) is responsible for directing traffic on the radio net and will answer to the NET CONTROL call. NET CONTROL may be transferred to another operator who will then use the NET CONTROL tactical call. |
The primary Net Control Operators (NCO) are sationed in Van-1. If it is necesary for the hams in Van-1 to go off the air, they should pass Net Control to Jamie N3TOY, Joe N7XSD, or Jack N8RRL. If it is necessary to operate more than one seperate net, perhaps because of repeater availablility, these hams are also available.
The VAN-1 call sign should be used when Net Control for a channel is not being operated from Van-1.
Announce the Gamblers Classic at regular intervals throught the day. This is especially important when traffic is low on the net and before the Bike Tour begins.
A short script for anouncing the net should be added for next year. This script can be used before and during the net.
As vehicles check in, verify the call of the ham and the tactical call. For vehicles, also ask what other volunteers or staff are in with the vehicle, if the vehicle has a tracker, and if the fuel tank is full. Perhaps a script to guide the NCO through each check-in would be useful.
Route vehicles through Rest Stop #4 so everyone gets a chance to eat but avoid having to many SAG or Medic Wagons there at the same time.
Medic-3, with the Coordinator, will be making a tour of the Rest Stops. Allow Medic-3 to visit all the Rest Stops as they open.
Saturday, Medic-1 needs to be at Rest Stop #8 when it closes. Use Medic-1 as the Turtle that passes through this Rest Stop.
Sunday, Medic-1 needs to be at Rest Stop #4 when it closes. Use Medic-1 as the Turtle that passes through this Rest Stop.
Bearcom has donated 15 mobile phones for this years Bike Tour. These phones are assigned to Net Control (primary), Net Control (backup), Repair-1, Repair-2, Truck-1, Truck-2, Truck-3, Lunch Stop, Turn Marshals (Century Spur turnoff), Turn Marshals (Century Spur Turnaround), Casey from Phoenix, Jamy from Phoenix, Carol Richardson, Nina Davenport, and Christine Zernial.
Each phone should be programmed with Net Control's phone number in the address book.
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.
Each Rest Stop is set up with a table and a couple of chairs. Volunteers will also need their own comfort items such as sun block, extra chairs, food, etc. There is room at all Rest Stops to park a vehicle.
Like a Rest Stop but on a smaller scale. The Water Hole has water, a toilet, and volunteers to help riders.
Turn Marshals are stationed at the turnaround to keep riders on the course. They will also have water, a toilet, a table, and a couple of chairs.
| Call | Miles | Δ | Century | Location | |
| Miles | Δ | ||||
| START LINE | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | VFW Post 3848 on Lake Mead Dr at Basic Rd |
| Turn Marshals | 0.8 | 0.8 | Before Lake Mead Dr and Boulder Hwy intersection | ||
| Turn Marshals | 4.2 | 4.2 | Before flyover from Boulder Hwy to US 95 | ||
| Turn Marshals | 7.8 | 7.8 | Past railroad pass, before US 95 Exit | ||
| REST STOP #1 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.3 | US95 just past street light (mile post 56) |
| REST STOP #2 | 18.0 | 9.7 | 18.0 | 9.7 | US 95 at NV 165 (mile post 46.30) |
| REST STOP #3 | 31.2 | 13.2 | 31.2 | 13.2 | US 95 (mile post 33) |
| WATER HOLE | 40.4 | 9.2 | 40.4 | 9.2 | US 95 truck pull out (mile post 24) |
| Turn Marshals | 43.8 | 43.8 | US 95 before junction with NV 164 | ||
| Century Spur Turnaround | 49.4 | 8.2 | NV 164 at Walking Box Ranch Road (between mile posts 11 and 12) Adjust this with changes in the course |
||
| REST STOP #4 | 44.1 | 3.7 | 57.9 | 9.3 | US 95 at the Terrible Herbst Casino in Searchlight |
| REST STOP #5 | 56.2 | 12.1 | 70.0 | 12.1 | US 95 past CalNevAri just before the bridge (mile post 8) |
| REST STOP #6 | 62.9 | 6.7 | 76.7 | 6.7 | Junction of US 95 and NV 163 |
| REST STOP #7 | 67.2 | 4.3 | 81.0 | 4.3 | NV 163 brake check area at top of hill between mile posts 4 and 5 |
| REST STOP #8 | 73.7 | 6.5 | 87.5 | 6.5 | NV 163 at Lake Mead sign on top of hill Limited vehicle access |
| Turn Marshals | 78.5 | 92.3 | NV 163 before Needles Hwy | ||
| Turn Marshals | 79.8 | 94.6 | Needles Hwy at Bruce Woodbury Dr Change this to a turn. Many of the riders get anxious to finish and Casino Dr has almost no shoulder. |
||
| REST STOP #9 | 83.1 | 9.4 | 96.9 | 9.4 | Needles Hwy and Casino Dr Remove. Even if the course goes through this intersection again, the riders don't need a break along this long, downhill stretch. |
| FINISH LINE | 88.6 | 5.5 | 102.4 | 5.5 | Flamingo Hotel Casino |
Adjust these with changes in next years course.
![[gc2002-SundayMap.png ??kB]](gc2002-SundayMap.png)
| Call | Miles | Δ | Location |
| START LINE | 0.0 | 0.0 | Flamingo Hotel Casino |
| REST STOP #1 | 5.4 | 5.4 | Needles Hwy and Casino Dr |
| REST STOP #2 | 10.3 | 4.9 | Needles Hwy and Aha Macav Pkwy |
| Turn Marshals | 15.0 | Aha Macav Pkwy and Aztec Rd | |
| REST STOP #3 | 15.2 | 4.9 | Across from the Texaco Smoke Shop & Mini-Mart near the Avi Casino |
| Turn Marshals | 15.7 | Veterans Memorial Pkwy at Aztec | |
| Turn Marshals | 17.8 | Aztec Rd before AZ 95 near the Safeway | |
| REST STOP #4 | 21.3 | 5.4 | Boundary Cone Rd near AZ 95 |
| Turn Marshals | 22.8 | Boundary Cone Rd before Veterans Memorial Pkwy | |
| Turn Marshals | 26.1 | Veterans Memorial Pkwy at Aztec | |
| REST STOP #3 | 26.6 | 5.3 | Across from the Texaco Smoke Shop & Mini-Mart near the Avi Casino |
| Turn Marshals | 26.8 | Aha Macav Pkwy and Aztec Rd | |
| REST STOP #2 | 31.4 | 4.8 | Needles Hwy and Aha Macav Pkwy |
| REST STOP #1 | 36.3 | 4.9 | Needles Hwy and Casino Dr |
| Turn Marshals | Casino Dr before NV 163 | ||
| Turn Marshals | Bullhead Pky before AZ 168 | ||
| FINISH LINE | 43.7 | 7.4 | Davis Camp Park |
Next year, assign unique vehicle numbers that don't depend on vehicle type (MEDIC-1, MEDIC-2, MEDIC-3, REPAIR-4, etc.) This should avoid confusing Medic-2 with Sag-2. The vehicles call can also be change with less confusion, Medic-1 becomes Sag-1 if the medic leaves early and the vehicle is still available.
| Call | Volunteers | Comments |
| MEDIC-1 | Ken Richardson Jack N8RRL |
Jack's SUV |
| MEDIC-2 | Nurse Chriselda Siquian Joe N7XSD |
Minivan |
| MEDIC-3 | Nurse Pam Kielbowicz Carol Richardson Craig Richardson Kelly Claibourne Jamie N3TOY |
Minivan |
| REPAIR-1 | Terry | The Bike Shop |
| REPAIR-2 | John Forrest | Frog's Mobile Cyclery |
| SAG-1 | Bill WB0KSW | In his own truck |
| SAG-2 | Charlie AA5QJ Terry N5RWD |
In their own truck |
| SAG-3 | Lee WK2T | In his own truck Saturday only |
| SAG-4 | Dan AA7I | In his own truck Saturday only |
| SAG-5 | Michelle KC7KXM | In her own truck Saturday only |
| SHUTLE-1 | Rented pickup truck | |
| TRUCK-1 | "Fast Eddie" Biondo | U-Haul truck Sets up rest stops. |
| TRUCK-2 | Jack | U-Haul truck Picks up rest stops. |
| TRUCK-3 | Marshall Shaw | U-Haul truck Sets out signs and carries luggage. |
| VAN-1 | Rich KC7ZDM Larry WB0SMR |
Minivan |
We use Automated Packet Reporting System (APRS) to track vehicles on the course. Many hams supply their own trackers. The Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club (LVRAC), http://www.lvrac.org/, also supplied 8 trackers for the Bike Tour. These trackers will be used by REPAIR-1, REPAIR-2, SAG-1, SAG-3 (Saturday), SAG-5 (Saturday), SHUTLE-1 (Sunday), TRUCK-1, TRUCK-2, and TRUCK-3.
Hams supplying their own trackers should program them with
their tactical call,
a path of WIDE2-2,
a Beacon message with their own FCC callsign, and
Beacon every 3 transmissions.
The symbols are:
b (lower case letter B; bicycle) for Repair Wagons,
> (greater than sign; car) for Medic Wagons,
v (lower case letter V; van) for Trucks, and
k (lower case letter K; pickup truck) for SAG Wagons.
Next year, the symbols will be:
> (greater than sign; car) for passenger vehicles not equiped
to cary bikes,
v (lower case letter V; van) for cargo vehicles, and
k (lower case letter K; pickup truck) for passenger vehicles equiped
to cary bikes.
Net Control uses a radio tuned to the APRS frequency. Anyone connected to the Internet can check area and the location of Bike Tour vehicles with FindU.
More information on APRS is available from:
The tour buses take particpants back to the VFW in Henderson. They will leave from Davis Camp Park.
Trained volunteers provide first aid and emergency medical assistance. All Medic Wagons carry a medic and a ham. Medic Wagons may also SAG when instructed by the NCO.
MEDIC-1 will help set up Rest Stop #8 then start from Rest Stop #4.
MEDIC-2 has a medic and a member of the logistics committee. Their primary responsibility is as a Medic Wagon but they are also available for SAG, Turtle, or as a shuttle.
MEDIC-3 is operated by the event coordinator and has a ham and a medic.
Bicycle mechanics travel forward on the course, stopping at Rest Stops to repair bikes. Repair Wagons may SAG bikes forward but should not stop on the route for repairs. Repair Wagons may skip Rest Stops but will not travel back along the course. SAG Wagons will bring bikes forward for repair.
Repair Wagons should contact NET CONTROL for instructions when they are at a Rest Stop with no bikes to work on. NET CONTROL may have them move forward or have them wait if more bikes are being brought to the mechanics. Also contact NET CONTROL when at a Rest Stop and ready to work on bikes.
Because of limmited vehicle access, Repair Wagons will not stop at Rest Stop #8.
Since REPAIR-1 and REPAIR-2 do not have hams this year, it's best to stop for repair work at Rest Stops that have hams, but don't skip Rest Stop #4, that's were lunch is.
SAG Wagons transport riders forward on the course. They also watch for tired or injured riders.
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 SAGing in either direction and SAG them forward as far as they like, but not past the next rest stop. Tell any hams you find at rest stops what you are doing. They will relay to NET CONTROL.
Do not drop off riders at Rest Stop #8 or any place you feel is unsafe. Travel forward until you find a place that is safe for the rider and SAG Wagon.
SAG Wagons 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 Wagon takes over as TURTLE. Net control will usually assign a new SAG Wagon as TURTLE whenever one reaches the back. TURTLE also picks up signs marking the Bike Tour. These signs should be transferred to TRUCK-1 when possible.
The shuttle will transport participants one way to Davis Camp Park. They will need to have their bike and luggage ready to go out in front of the Flamingo by 10:15am. The shuttle will make as many trips as needed.
TRUCK-1 is loaded with supplies Friday before the event.
Saturday morning, it delivers supplies to all of the Rest Stops, except for #8. Truck-1 then returns to Rest Stop #4 (the lunch stop) and waits for Truck-2.
After Truck-1 and Truck-2 are both at Rest Stop #4, supplies are transferred to Truck-1 and trash is discarded. Empty coolers remain on Truck-2.
Truck-1 picks up all remaining Rest Stops, except #8, after the Turtle has passed. At the Finish Line, Truck-1 receives coolers filled with ice from Truck-2.
Sunday, Truck-1 sets up Rest Stops #1 through #3 then waits at Rest Stop #3 until the Turtle passes for the second time. Truck-1 then picks up Rest Stops #3 through #1 as the Turtle passes.
Truck-1 then waits at the Davis Camp Park with the bus and other trucks.
TRUCK-2, on Saturday, picks up Rest Stops #1 through #3, the Water Hole, and Century Turnaround as the Turtle passes.
Truck-2 meets Truck-1 at Rest Stop #4 to transfer supplies. Truck-2 then takes empty coolers to get ice in Bullhead City.
Sunday, Truck-2 picks up riders luggage at the Flamingo Hotel and proceeds to the Davis Camp Park to stand by with the bus. Luggage should be transferred to the bus to make room for bikes.
TRUCK-3 drives the course Friday night and sets out signs.
Saturday, Truck-3 meets riders and the bus in front of the Flamingo at 4:00am and caries bikes to VFW Post 3848. Bikes are unloaded and luggage is loaded there and delivered to the Flamingo Hotel. Truck-3 then returns to Las Vegas.
Sunday, Truck-3 picks up supplies for the party and brings them to Davis Camp Park. Bikes will be loaded into Truck-3 for the drive home.
A sugestion was made to use trailers instead of delivery trucks. Supplies for each Rest Stop can be loaded in indevidual trailers and picked up by Rest Stop volunteers on Friday. The trailers would be returned on Sunday.
VAN-1 is used by two hams as a command post. It 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. There will be no facilities available. VAN-1 may be parked on the route but will not provide any services to riders.
The hams will set up a dual band amateur station, an APRS station, and a CB radio. A second amateur station is recommended. The MS society will supply a mobile phone and distribute that number amongst the volunteers.
Operating a net control station is VAN-1's primary responsibility.
Lunches are available at Rest Stop #4. Volunteers who pass through are welcome to eat there. Many will have to pack their own lunch.
Because of permit limitations, we must have all bikes off the course by 5:00pm. Expect Net Control 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!
All are invited to attend the Finish Line party Sunday afternoon.
Attend the Post-event meeting at the MS office. We want your feedback.
