Is It Legal?

The FCC encourages public service activities within Amateur Radio. A fundamental principal found in the very first FCC rule in part 97 is:

Amateur radio has a long standing tradition of providing support in events where the official sponsoring organization can not provide all the communications required for adequate public safety. Competent service rendered by amateurs has proven valuable, and often essential, to public safety in these events by providing rapid alerting of officials when people need help

SOME OF THE CHARITIES THAT BENEFIT FROM THE EVENTS WE PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS FOR

MISSION: The amateur mission in public service events is accomplished by providing communications for officials responsible for the event and public safety. As amateurs, we are not responsible for that safety. We facilitate the mission of officials who are, and can help by providing communications in depth over the full geographical area of the event. Our mission is to communicate, not administrate, for the responsible officials. Our job is to pass their information and emergency requests back and forth with speed and accuracy

7 Extra eyes on the course Track the first and last riders/runners Get help to riders/runners that need assistance Relay supply and logistical information Look for hazards and lost riders/runners Verify the course is clear of riders/runners Amateur Radio Operators Provide Safety and Welfare Communications Support for the Event…

Event Communications Past… March of Dimes Net Control 1997 March of Dimes Communications Crew…

Event Communications Past… Whiskey Row Marathon Net Control

Event Communications Past…

Event Communications Present… Groom Creek Classic ½ Marathon Net Control

 We are there to provide communications at the request of the event sponsor  We are there to help make the events run smoothly and safely  We have an opportunity to support a worthy cause  We should put our best foot forward in actions and dress  We represent YARC, Amateur Radio and amateurs in general As public service communicators

 We are not there to tell the served organization how to run their event  We are not there to direct traffic (liability issues involved)  We are not there to interfere in any way with the operation of the location we are assigned to  You may assist the workers at your assigned location only if you wish and it will not interfere with your ability to provide communications As public service communicators

 Sign-up as early as possible  Let the coordinator know what positions you could fill  Inform the coordinator of limitations (equipment and/or physical) that affects your participation  Prepare yourself and your equipment  If your plans change, notify the coordinator as soon as possible  Be prepared for changes in weather, equipment and/or assignment VOLUNTEERING FOR EVENT COMMUNICATIONS

What equipment is needed?  A 2 Meter transceiver. Generally all communications are on 2 meters - Dual band capability is a plus  Some positions require a mobile or stationary transceiver, at others a handheld transceiver may be sufficient  Antennas, batteries, earphone, adapters and other miscellaneous items  Standardized antenna, audio, and power connections  Equipment instruction manual or reference card  Know your equipment

 Public Service provides the amateur an opportunity to operate his/her equipment under conditions that simulate operating characteristics of an incident in need of emergency communications  Communicate in circumstances similar to those that might be experienced in emergency conditions.  Practice in various communicator roles.  Adapt and experiment with our equipment.  As I always say, “Its Fun!” 16 Why Special Event/Public Service Communications? Besides the previously mentioned reasons (the safety of participants and public) Public Service also does the following:

17 Why Special Event/Public Service Communications? You get to set up in interesting places… Meet lots of interesting people Photos Courtesy W7BNW

TACTICAL CALL SIGNS By using Tactical Call Signs, the net can be conducted without regard to which operator is at the radio. They identify the position and not the operator. By using Tactical Call Signs, the net can be conducted without regard to which operator is at the radio. They identify the position and not the operator

TACTICAL CALL SIGNS

TACTICAL CALL SIGNS Example:  Rest Stop Two: Rest Stop Two  Net Control: Rest Stop Two  Rest Stop Two: Volunteers are on station and rest stop is staffed. Over  Net Control: I copy, W7YRC Out.  Rest Stop Two: K7??? Out. Using Over and Out may be omitted if it will not cause confusion. Signing with your FCC call sign will signify ending your transmission. Using Over and Out may be omitted if it will not cause confusion. Signing with your FCC call sign will signify ending your transmission

TACTICAL CALL SIGNS An easy way to remember is to establish contact using your Tactical Call and end the contact with your FCC Call…. An easy way to remember is to establish contact using your Tactical Call and end the contact with your FCC Call…

OPERATIONS ASSIGNMENTS

OPERATIONS ASSIGNMENTS Tactical CallAssignment/Time Amateur CallName

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS Location With GPS Coordinates Assignment Start – Finish Times Operators Equipment Needed

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS 26 A Map with Assignment Locations Whiskey Row Marathon 2011

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY EMERGENCIES: On a long tour and with many bikes, we can possibly expect a couple of medium emergencies. Typically these may be most often caused by contact between bikes that are riding very close together. Bike-car accidents are very rare

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY IMPORTANT: To comply with privacy laws, the rider’s or runners name can be obtained, but DO NOT TRANSMIT it over the air. Give the rider/runner number only. Event staff have rider/runner lists that can be used to find the name for contacting family members, support personnel, etc

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Use/Collect Rider/Runner Numbers. This is important for two reasons. The first is privacy - we don't want names passed over the air. Race Staff can look up names if they need them. The second is to ensure we are dealing with the correct rider/runner. We may get a report of a rider needing pickup and the SAG might find a different rider, unknowingly leaving the rider who was reported waiting for a pickup. Knowing for sure who needs a pickup (by the rider/runner number) prevents this

Incident Report Form 32 In case of accident or incident this is the form used

Write it Down… 6 X 9” Steno Notebook 5 X 3” Notepad Event Log Sheet Keep an activity log of important happenings

What to Write Down… ICS 214A-OS Personal Log 0630ON STATION - CONTACT WITH NET CONTROL MS-150 Bike Ride COMMUNICATIONS 0825FIRST RIDERS THROUGH AT 0820 REST STOP - ONE 1000 STATION SECURED – NET CONTROL NOTIFIED ? John Smith 04/14/2012

What to Write Down… After Action Report Form.. Event Date Assigned Location Operator(s) What Went Well What Needs Improvement

OPERATING PROCEDURES When transmitting, always TALK ACROSS THE FACE OF THE MICROPHONE! Speak slowly, distinctly and clearly. Hold the mike button down for at least two seconds before beginning your message. This will assure that the first part of your transmisson is not cut off. Know what you are going to say before you push the mike button. Do not fill the air with hesitations. Listen… before transmitting to be sure you are not ‘doubling’ with another station

OPERATING PROCEDURES Net Control stations are frequently busy with work that is not on the air. If you call the Net Control and do not get a reply, be patient and call again in a minute or two. If it is an emergency, so state; otherwise just space your calls to Net Control. Always keep a monitor on the net frequency. If you must leave the frequency, ask permission from the NCS. Advise NCS when you return to the frequency. It is important that the NCS know the whereabouts of each station in the net. Always acknowledge calls and instructions. You can acknowledge by just giving your unit identification. Nothing is more disruptive to the smooth flow of traffic than dead silence in response to a message

OPERATING PROCEDURES Use a headset whenever possible. This is very important. Many times there are people near your position that are not involved in the operation and are not aware of what is happening. A few words over heard and misunderstood could soon become a problem for all. False rumors can be disastrous. IN A HIGH AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL, A HEADSET IS A MUST…

OPERATING PROCEDURES

Special Event Communications in FebruarySedona Marathon AprilWhiskey Off Road Mt. Bike Race MayWhiskey Row Marathon MayMS-150 Bicycle Event SeptemberMarch of Dimes March for Babies SeptemberSkull Valley Loop Challenge SeptemberGroom Creek Classic ½ Marathon SeptemberTour de Pee Vee ½ Marathon OctoberPrescott Road Rally OctoberAmericas Walk for Diabetes

Special Event Communications in Upcoming Communications Events as of this date: February 1 st Sedona Marathon April 25 th, 26 th, and 27 th Whiskey Off Road Mountain Bike Race May 3rd Whiskey Row Marathon May 17 th and 18 th MS-150 Ride the Vortex Bicycle Event September 6 th March of Dimes March for Babies

Is Event Communications Hard Work??

We try not to put anyone in an UNSAFE position…