[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Venture Quest is this Sunday!

[Mike Rhodes]

We could still use 3-4 more folks to help out with communications for 
Venture Quest this Sunday.

We will rendezvous at Fountainhead Regional Park 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?q=fountainhead+regional+park,+fairfax,+va&ll=38.728943,-77.320487&spn=0.064497,0.162100&num=10&start=0&hl=en> 
(ADC NoVA Map 26 F7) at *7am* for a 8am race start (this is an hour 
earlier than in previous years.) The last racers are predicted to cross 
the finish line at 6:00pm, which is pushing sunset. In addition to a 
T-shirt, there will be food (probably pizza) provided at the end of the 
race but you might pack something for lunch as it might be 3 or 4pm 
before you get to the finish line where the food is. If you have a time 
restriction (need to come late or leave early) we can probably 
accommodate you too. Also, if anyone has a small boat they would like to 
ride around on the river for the day please let me know. We'll take care 
of the gas.

The race consists of running, mountain biking, and canoing plus 3 
challenges. If you want to look at the map, the course stretches from 
Sandy Run 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?q=sandy+run+regional+park,+fairfax,+va&ll=38.709977,-77.304151&spn=0.064502,0.162100&num=10&start=0&hl=en> 
(ADC 26 J9) to Bull Run Marina 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?q=bull+run+marina,+fairfax,+va&ll=38.743726,-77.385180&spn=0.064487,0.162100&num=10&start=0&hl=en> 
and starts and ends at Fountainhead Regional Park 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?q=fountainhead+regional+park,+fairfax,+va&ll=38.728943,-77.320487&spn=0.064497,0.162100&num=10&start=0&hl=en>. 
We will be using hand-helds and mobile radios (cross band is helpful 
too) on both repeaters and simplex as the distance and terrain make this 
course particularly challenging from a communications point of view. If 
you need a mobile rig to use, let me know. The race will start and 
finish at Fountainhead (FH) with racers going through the central 
Transition Area at FH on four (4) separate occasions throughout the 
race. VQ personnel occasionally use FRS to communicate with race staff 
at checkpoints if you have FRS radios they might come in handy. This is 
a great event to learn (or improve) your operating flexibility!

Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group (SMRG) will NOT be participating this 
year. That's one less group of people we have to worry about 
coordinating with!

So far, I think the list of suspects includes Rich, Rick, Shawn, Brian, 
and myself. If you would like to help for all or part of the race, email 
or call me. Also, email me with your t-shirt size by Saturday if 
possible and we will get them together in advance. Final details, 
frequencies, etc. will be forwarded via email by Saturday afternoon.

Thanks and 73’s
Mike – KD4LQS

703-392-0014 work
703-542-6617 home
703-965-0677 cell
kd4lqs at arrl.net