[FARC] A FEW MORE OPS NEEDED FOR SATURDAY!

[Jeff Fishman]

Due to some last minute changes, we are in desperate need of radio operators for the Hike Across Maryland at:

Washington Monument        0900-1230
Weaverton          1300-1700  and   1700-2045

Please contact me ASAP if you can help! Both locations are drive-to so you can operate from your vehicle. All of the details are below and in the attachments. Please forward this to other local ham reflectors. Thanks.

Jeff KB3FIO


Subject: Hike Across MD Assignments


Here are the amateur radio checkpoint assignments for this Saturday's Hike Across Maryland (see also attachments):

Pen Mar                0500-0630            Tim N3VNG
High Rock             0530-0745            Tom K3RTW
Raven Rock           0600-0900            Mark AB3KS & Herb K3HCP
Cowell Shelter       0630-0930            Justin K2ZBM                                0930-1230        Ron KB3SYA
Boonsboro Rd.      0845-1345            Rick N3RO
Washington Mon.  0900-1230             open                                             1230-1530        Danny K3PDK
Lambs Knoll         1030-1400            Larry KB3WRT                                1400-1700       Joe KB3LNM    
Gathland              1130-1530            Travis AB3RD                                 1530-1930        Ray KB3VWK
Weaverton            1300-1700              open                                            1700-2045        open
Harpers Ferry        1300-1700           Jeff KB3FIO                                    1700-2045        Curtis KB3WHX

If there are any problems with these assignments, please let me know ASAP.

Our Mission - To assist the Mountain Club of Maryland officials by relaying vital hike status reports and summon emergency services for injured or sick hikers.

Operations - While most of the checkpoints require only a mobile 2M rig as you can work from your vehicle, a few of the locations may require a 100-200 yd. hike into the checkpoint (High Rock, Cowell Shelter, Lambs Knoll), so some type of 5W HT or portable rig with a good antenna is needed for these. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring your own food and water and a notebook. Wear some type of bright clothing or safety vest and identify yourself to the hike officials when you arrive. We will be utilizing the Target repeater system (www.madxra.org/target.htm), and you should plan on entering Frederick, Clear Springs, Berkeley Springs and Charles Town freqs. into your memories as you sometimes never know which you will be able to hit the best. You can also use the 70cm repeaters if you like, and 146.580 simplex sometimes works well for short range communications. Use ITU phonetics when necessary. We will not be using APRS this time around.

Plan on arriving 1/2 hr. before your shift to allow time for setting up. Please use tactical calls (Boonsboro, Gathland, etc.) appropriate for your location. There will be a Net Control in charge during this event, but you are allowed to contact another checkpoint directly. Try and keep your communications brief as emergencies can occur at any time. You will be required to remain at your post until all hikers have checked into the next checkpoint, and then only after Net Control has released you.  A "sweep" hiker will follow everyone to check for stragglers. Make sure you know when he or she passes your location. As some hikers drop out, it is vital that the hiker's number be relayed to Net Control. ALL hikers must be accounted for! 

Thanks for volunteering. Let me know if you have any questions. Have fun!

73,

Jeff Fishman KB3FIO
Fred. ARES Emergency Coordinator
C) 240-285-6596