Bike Rally/Walk-a-thon

Communications Support

DCARA Roles and Radio Operator Duties

• What is Amateur Radio’s Role?• Stations and assignments• What equipment are needed to help out?• Tour De Cure – August 3rd

• Other upcoming events• How do I sign up?

Amateur Radio operators provide safety and welfare communications support for

the event

oExtra eyes on the courseo Track the first and last ridersoGet help to riders that need assistanceoRelay supply and logistical informationo Look for hazards and lost ridersoVerify the course is clear of riders

What’s a SAG?!Lets clear up some acronyms and terminology

NCSRoverSAG

Rest StopShadow

TailLead

OK, So what does each communications

positions do?

NCSNet Control Station

Maintains orderly communications and serves as the focus for net functions

Keeps track of all resources, active and reserveDirects radio traffic (Directed Net)

Maintains net disciplineLogs incidents and traffic

Persons wanting to be an NCS,

The net control is in charge of the net during the event and is responsible for the information

flow and the character of the event net. The net control operator can make or break a net.

o Have strong, clear signal with good audioo Issue all instructions in a clear and concise toneo Keeps track of the status of all stations and their

capabilities and functionso Keeps a written log of traffic handled during the

event

RoverRovers monitor the course looking for

hazards, riders or participants that need assistance, and track the location

and status of the first and last riders/participants

Typically are assigned a specific portion of the route/course and remain in that section until directed by Net Control to relocate or secure

Rest Stop OperatorsThe primary responsibility of the operator will

be to report incidents involving rider or volunteer safety

Generally, these incidents are rare

The most likely reports will be involving supplies or transportation requests (SAG)

Be at the rest stop about 30 minutes before the first riders are anticipated to arrive. You should not

request permission to secure until the last ride has left the rest stop

While you’re specific assignment is communications, feel free to assist the rest stop

staff as long as you can still maintain radio communications at all times

Event ShadowAllows constant contact with some person who

is important to the event operation

Thus the amateur operator MUST remain in the immediate vicinity of the person shadowed AT ALL

TIMES

Because the person being shadowed will usually be involved in some important activity, the shadow should

be mostly unobtrusive in the vicinity of the person, interjecting only when communications is needed

The shadow operator must remain with the person being shadowed at all times. In addition, the

amateur must monitor the radio AT ALL TIMES.

The operator should be in good physical condition to be able to walk and sometimes long distances

with the official

OK, So what equipment do I need?

• NCS – the club will generally supply the equipment for the NCS station• Everyone

o ICS 205 communications plan and course maps• Rover

o Your Vehicleo Mobile Radio, preferably dual band (2m and 70cm)o APRS is preferred (but not required) so NCS can monitor your locationo Safety vest

• Rest Stop Operatoro Hand Held Radio (HT) – at least 2m, prefer dual bando Safety vest

• Event Shadowo Hand Held Radio (HT) – at least 2m, prefer dual bando Safety vest

What else could be helpful??

Portable Go Kit for remote/distant rest stops(this is a great opportunity to make sure your go kit

still works!!)

Magnetic Signs for Rovers indicating you are an Amateur Radio Communications vehicle

Amber LED or revolving lights for Rovers and Tail

Tour De CureAugust 3rd 6:30am to 3:00pm

Start/Finish at Texas Motor Speedway

3 courses (15mi, 32mi, and 62mi)

4 rest stops

NCS will be in the parking lot South of the South Tunnel(Look for the Grey Denton County Emergency

Management Motor Home – CLEATUS)

Other Events this year• Oct 12 – North Texas Bicycle Rally

o Start/Finish South of Roanokeo Four courses encompassing Trophy Club, Keller, Roanoke, Haslett, and

more

• October 26 – Komen Ride for the Cure o LBJ Grasslands National Park (Wise County)o Horse Rideo Stationary positionso HT’s will work fine

• November 2 - Touched By Suicide Community Walko Bartonville Town Centero Course is on the trails and through Lantana

• November 16 – Turkey Roll Bicycle Rallyo Start/Finish at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (West of

North Lakes Park)o Courses go North as far as Valley Viewo 5 courses – 5 miles to 68 miles

Keep an eye on the calendar on the DCARA.net web site

How do I sign up

to help with events?

Join the DCARA Operations Yahoo Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dcara_ops/

Also Linked from the DCARA Web Page

The call for operators only gets sent to those that are registered in the OPS

Yahoo Group

Questions??