[ILHam] MS BIKE EVENT NEEDS HAMS

[uco at juno.com]

This just in... anyone not participating in the entire FD event this year might want to help out this worthy cause:
 
QST all Chicago-area hams
 
Major Public Service Event Needs Ham Radio  Operators
 
Chicago-area ham radio operators have a unique  opportunity this year to help on a major public service event.  The  National Multiple Sclerosis Society is again sponsoring its two-day bike event  and needs our assistance to provide communication.  Called the "MS150",  the event is a two-day, 150 mile bike ride through the  farm lands of Kane and DeKalb counties west of Chicago.  Last year over  1600 bicyclists participated; this year over 2000 are expected. Money  raised goes to MS research to develop effect treatment for this disabling 
disease.  The fundraising goal this year is  $1,750,000.
 
The ride begins on Saturday morning, June 24 in  Maple Park, IL.  Riders have up to 12 hours to make it to the Northern  Illinois University campus in DeKalb, where they enjoy dinner, a party and a  good night's rest.  The ride resumes the following morning, Sunday, June  25, and returns to Maple Park. Bicyclists  are supported by a volunteer crew in a variety of vehicles that patrol the  route to help with mechanical problems and minor injuries.  The event is looking for volunteer ham radio operators to ride in these "sag wagons" and 
maintain communication between the vehicle and the dispatch  center.
 
 
In previous years the event got by with Nextel  phones/radios, but increased costs and the need for a reliable  communication network have propelled the event staff to ask the amateur radio  community for help.

 
Anyone wishing to participate should have a  two-meter mobile radio with an output of at least 35 watts (more preferable)  and a mobile antenna, both of which can be temporarily mounted in one of the  support vehicles.  Hams who can volunteer the whole weekend are  preferred, though anyone who can contribute some time can be  used.
 
Please pass this request for help along to members of your  club.  For more information about the event,  check out the MS150 website at:
_http://events.msillinois.org/site/PageServer?pagename=06ms150_homepage_ () .
 
For more information on ham radio participation,  or to volunteer, email Jon Baker, KC9OO, at _jonlbak at sbcglobal.net_ ()
 
Thanks and 73,
 
de Jon
KC9OO



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