[MDC-EC] May 2, 2009 - Ham Operators Needed to Help Support 2009 Hike Across Maryland

[Joseph M. Durnal]

Frederick County ARES is coordinating communications for the Mountain
Club of Maryland for their 2009 Hike Across Maryland event on May 2,
2009.  This is a tough event to cover, the participants hike about 42
miles on the Appalachian trail from Penmar to Harpers Ferry, and
Amateur Radio Operators cover ten checkpoints along the trail, many of
these checkpoints will require multiple shifts of ham coverage.  This
year we hope to add APRS to the toolbox, with a couple of hams hiking
with the sweep team at the end of the line with trackers, and a few
APRS display stations along the route.  If we have enough volunteers,
I'm personally planning to hike the southern half of the trail with
APRS tracking.

Please pass the word, we are looking for hams with equipment that can
cover these shifts.  Most checkpoints require a portable setup with an
external antenna that can be raised a bit, like a roll up jpole hung
from a tree, or something on a small mast.  Also helpful would be a
complete APRS station with computer and several hours of power.

For for pictures and descriptions of previous operations, check out:
http://www.n3rosub1.n3roradio.com/MTCLUB.html

If you can help, please contact Jeff Fishman, KB3FIO
ljfish at mindspring.com or myself, Joe Durnal, NE3R
joseph.durnal at gmail.com.

Thanks & 73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R