MS150 2001
Bike Tour Amateur Radio
Communications Site
MS150 Bike Tour July 14 & 15, 2001
To
fill out required survey now! Click here.
Photo of the Livingston County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), MS
Staff, and Net Control Operators taken last year.
Click on each picture to see enlarged photo. (Photos
by K1DE)
MS-150 Right, front to back: Susan Kossik,
MS-Route Manager; Mark, KC8GRQ;`
Scott, `KB8ZRC.
Left: Tom, N8HCC`
``MS-150 Front to
back: Kate Johnson, MS-150`
PR, Neil, WA2WIM; Scott, KB8ZRC
2001 MS 150 BIKE TOUR
JULY 15 & 16, 2001
During each MS 150 we continue to develop our Amateur Radio skills.
Last year we added Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)
to our "traditional" voice communication support. With APRS it was possible
to look at computer monitors at Net Control and laptops in the field and
know exactly where APRS-equipped Staff and SAG vehicles were at any given
moment.
We thank everyone for the tremendous support of last
year’s and previous year’s MS 150 events.
This year we would like to further expand the role of APRS, digital
and voice communications, but we need your support. Last year taught us
several important lessons in planning and operating during such an event.
The lesson we learned is that we need a database of individual amateur’s
capabilities, resources and commitment to be able to plan well. For 2001
we need capability and resource data. We therefore are sending a brief
overview of what we see for the 2001 event. For those who have helped before,
the assignments will seem familiar, but with some interesting additions.
Please pass this letter to any Amateur that you think might be interested!
Please fill out the survey, no later than March 31, 2001.
To fill out required
survey now! Click here.
Our goals are to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art amateur radio
communications to support the MS Society, and at the same time to encourage
as many amateurs as possible to participate in what has become the largest
Public Service Event in Southeastern Michigan. We need your continued support
to expand the role of APRS, digital and voice communications.
Overview of Amateur Radio assignments and requirements:
NET CONTROL OPERATOR (Two-day assignment)
These positions are limited and will be appointed by the EC of Livingston
County. We would like as many amateurs as possible from different counties
to participate. Minimum requirements consist of net control experience, possession
of a valid RACES identification card, and willingness to run
a logistical net. If interested, please attach a copy of your Michigan
Driver’s License, Amateur Radio License, and a copy of your RACES ID card,
and return with this form. All Net Control Operations will take place at
the Livingston County EOC located in Howell, Michigan.
STAFF VEHICLE (Two-day assignment)
MS will supply the vehicle, and MS personnel will drive. We will need
about 12 amateurs for this mobile assignment, which includes an overnight
stay at Michigan State University. Dinner, lodging and breakfast will be
provided. This is a high-visibility assignment that requires you to have
excellent people and communications skills, including the ability to monitor
several conversations, track dynamic situations and convey summary information
to MS Staff personnel. Equipment requirements are a 2m, 50W transceiver
with magnetic-mount antenna and power cable suitable to attach quickly
to any vehicle. APRS tracking equipment is desired.
SAG VEHICLE (Support and Guidance) (Two-day assignment)
MS will supply the vehicle, and MS personnel will drive. We will need
about 10 amateurs for this mobile assignment, which includes an overnight
stay at Michigan State University. Dinner, lodging and breakfast will be
provided. This assignment requires communications skills, including the
ability to monitor a net, receive to traffic directed to your station and
pass traffic originated by your station. Equipment requirements are a 2m,
50W transceiver with magnetic-mount antenna and power cable suitable to
attach quickly to any vehicle. APRS tracking equipment is STRONGLY
desired.
REST STOP (One-day assignment)
You will provide your own transportation to and from the Rest Stop.
We will need about 10 amateurs on Saturday and 12 on Sunday for fixed operation.
You may participate either or both days. Equipment requirements are a 2m,
50W transceiver with antenna and power supply. Mobile equipment in your
personal vehicle will be acceptable. Note that commercial power is not
available; you must be able to operate in a "field" situation.
This year, each Rest Stop Operator will work with an APRS Digipeater
& Digital Messaging Operator. The Rest Stop Operator will provide voice
communications. In-service times vary throughout the day depending on location
on the course. Plan on being there from the time the Rest Stop opens until
relieved by Net Control, usually when the supply trucks pick up the remaining
supplies.
A few words about APRS operations
Any mobile operator can become an APRS Tracker if you can provide
a 2nd station including 2m 50W rig, magnetic mount antenna,
TNC and GPS receiver.
Our goal is to have APRS tracking equipment in each SAG & Supply
Vehicle. We are trying to find equipment for those who may not have their
own tracker for the event.
Our Digital Operations Team leader TBD, welcomes any questions.
To ask for assistance, or to become our Digital Operations Team Leader, please email:
[email protected]
*** ANNOUNCING NEW AMATEUR RADIO POSITIONS FOR 2001 ***
APRS DIGIPEATER & DIGITAL MESSAGING (One-day assignment)
You will provide your own transportation to the Rest Stop. We will
need about 10 amateurs on Saturday, and about 12 on Sunday for fixed operations.
You may participate either or both days. For DigiPeater operation you need
to provide a 2m, 50W transceiver, portable power supply, fixed-mount gain-type
antenna, and TNC. Suitable antennas are a 2m Ringo Ranger
or other medium-gain antenna mounted on a non-guyed support pole, or hung
from a tree 20 feet above ground. Commercial power is not available; you
must be able to operate in a "field" situation.
WE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY NEED DIGIPEATERS ("DIGI’S") WEST OF THE
LUNCH REST STOP, ROUGHLY HOWELL AND POINTS WEST. You don’t need to drive
if you live near the area and can dedicate the use of your fixed station.
You provide a TNC, 50W 2m rig, power supply and antenna and we promise
to help you get set up.
A laptop computer adds digital messaging capability. If you don’t
have a laptop computer we may be able to loan one for you to use. Please
contact Neil WA2WIM.
APRS DigiPeat & Digital Messaging Operators will work together with
a Rest Stop Operator. You will gather and transmit status reports digitally,
such as the status of leading cyclists, rider number of cyclists wanting
to be "sagged," rider number of bicycles needing pickup, status of rest
stop food, etc. In-service times vary throughout the day depending on location
on the course. Plan on being there from the time the Rest Stop opens until
relieved by Net Control, usually when the supply trucks pick up the remaining
supplies.
RFI & TECHNICAL SUPPORT TEAM (Two-day assignment)
You will be part of a 3-person team. You will stay overnight at Michigan
State University. Dinner, lodging and breakfast will be provided.
The team will provide its own transportation. This is a roving assignment,
and there may be more than one vehicle needed. The team will loosely follow
the course and be available for dispatch as needed.
The team members must have technical knowledge to solve APRS and Digital
Operation and Messaging problems, such as installation and setup of APRS
tracking equipment, and locating and eliminating radio interference due
to "stuck" radios or TNC’s. The team will also assist operators with other
technical problems related to the event. We expect an equipment list for
this team would resemble a "Radios & Computers" mobile store.
Army National Guard Vehicle
This assignment is not developed. We need a volunteer
to develop this assignment and act as liaison to the Army National Guard
Military Police. The liaison must be able to successfully work out the
details for civilians to ride in a military vehicle during a military exercise.
We don’t even know that this assignment can be authorized. To volunteer,
contact Jim N8QMD.
[email protected]
To
fill out required survey now! Click here.
Your MS-150 Amateur Radio Communications Management Team
N8QMD Jim Heyl MS150 Amateur Radio Team Leader
[email protected]
K8GEO George Schutte Volunteer Committee [email protected]
WA2WIM Neil Sablatzky Net Control Operations [email protected]
TBD Digital Operations [email protected]
K1DE John Moore Technical Consultant [email protected]
.
More Info
The MS150 event is the largest Amateur Radio public service
event in South East Michigan. It requires a minimum of 75+ amateurs, to
cover some 200+ miles of route, plus rest stops, and some 20+ mobile
units each day. Each amateur that participates in the two day event supplies
his or her own equipment, mainly consisting of a 25 Watt or greater 2 meter
FM radio, Magnet Mount antenna, cigarette lighter socket Y adapter, and
power cords. Food and lodging for Saturday night are provided for by the
MS organization. The event starts promptly at 7am Saturday and concludes
late Sunday afternoon after the last rider arrives back. The Saturday night
entertainment at MSU is a fun time for all.
This year's event promises new ventures, as we plan to
move the net control operations into the new Livingston County Communication
Center and EOC facility. This will greatly increase our capabilities and
enable us to perform some net control training. Any station wishing to
'apply' for net control station training please contact Neil,
WA2WIM for additional information.
Another new venture this year will include the use of
the APRS mapping system. Tracking devices will be placed into selected
mobile vehicles, and possibly the last rider's bike, to allow for route
mapping. Plans are still being developed at this time.
The Amateur Radio Communications Team for the MS150 event
is looking for donations or loans of GPS units to assist with bringing
APRS tracking to the MS150 event. This technology will make this
event one of the safest event's in the country... Please contact wa2wim
for further information.
If you are interested in participating or need any questions
answered, please email Neil, WA2WIM
. We curently have many open assignments for either Saturday, Sunday,
or both days. We have some limited rest stop assignments left, and
many mobile assignments.
73, Neil - WA2WIM, MS-150 Amateur Radio Communications Net Manager (ARCNM)
MS150
Rider's Page
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