[FLARES] 2007 Sarasota Tour de Cure

[Ron Wetjen]

The second annual American Diabetes Association Sarasota Tour de Cure
bike run was held on the back roads of Manatee County Sunday, March 18,
2007.

The Sarasota Emergency Radio Club, in collaboration with the Manatee
County Amateur Radio Emergency Service, fielded their own team of
sixteen amateur operators to provide communications over the 12, 40, 62,
and 101 mile legs of the course.

In territory where cell phone service is a sometime thing, amateur
operators stationed at rest stops, SAG (Support & Gear) vehicles,
logistics supply van, and safety patrol units positioned at strategic
locations provided a communications web of safety, security, and
coordination. Despite the predawn event following a St. Patrick's Day
Saturday night, and unseasonably chilly morning temperatures, the hams
were front and center as planned. Event organizers attributed a 35% drop
in participants from registrants to the weather.

The use of the NI4CE 1035' "Big Stick" linked repeater system provided
clear communications by many units utilizing Hand Held radios. The two
groups want to express their appreciation to the West Central Florida
Group, Inc. for the use of the repeater, and to the west coast amateur
community in general for the courteous, uninterrupted use of this
repeater during a normally busy weekend period.

The base of operations, start and finish lines, and center of good food, 
fun and entertainment was staged at the Lakewood Ranch Park adjacent to
Lakewood Ranch High School. The Sarasota County Emergency Management /
American Red Cross communications trailer contained the Net Control
operations center. 128 man-hours on ride day and 40 pre-event hours were
spent on this project.

The participating amateurs and their affiliation were:

Sarasota Emergency Radio Club

Bob, KA4BOB
Eddie, K4JP
Ron, WD4AHZ
Vini, W4VIN
Croft, VE3CT
Dave, K9DAV
Doug, KI4RHU
Jim, WA9TIR
Aadrian, KB3GCQ

Manatee County Amateur Radio Emergency Service

Frank, AC4MK
Frank, KB2BE
Bob, W0LEY
Goeff, N1GY
Lou, AG4OD
Jon, KG4IKN
Roger, KR4WS


73,
Bob, KA4BOB