[NCham] Broadway repeater down, but the show goes on

[Charles E. Scharlau]

After running some tests at Raven Rock State Park today, the conclusion is
that 2-meter simplex communications will do the job. This is especially
important since our back-up plan was to use the Broadway repeater that was
lost after an airplane took down the repeater's tower earlier this week.

Less than one week before the event, most communicator positions still need
to be filled (see below). Please consider spending a fun morning or
afternoon in the woods next weekend. Detailed event information is provided
below.


==================
RAVEN ROCK 2002 - Interscholastic Championship Team & Individual
Orienteering Competition

The Scholastic Orienteering Championships (SOC), to be held the weekend of
March 23-24, needs volunteer communicators.

This will be a laid-back fun time spent in beautiful Raven Rock State Park
(near Sanford, NC). If you haven't helped provide public service
communications before, this is a fun way to start!

The 2002 SOC event is expecting over 400 kids from NC and as far away as
Texas. These kids will be using maps and compasses to navigate to flags
placed out in the woods. (For those of you who have read the March QST cover
story on Amateur Radio Direction Finding, Orienteering is a lot like ARDF
only without the radios and transmitters.)


VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

There are two volunteer jobs needing to be filled:

Posting Position (one):
The Posting Position will be located in a tent close to where the
participant result will be posted. The ham manning the posting position will
receive split time reports from the split timers located in the woods. He
will enter the bib numbers and split time information into a computer, and
print out reports to give to the event organizers for posting.

Split Timers (two):
The Split Timer communicators will be located at positions near control
point markers in the woods. The hams manning the split timer positions will
record the arrival times and bib numbers of the competitors as they arrive
at the control point. Then they will radio the information to the Posting
Position. Split Timers will be escorted to and from their positions in the
woods. It will be approximately a 20 to 30 minute walk to reach the control
point marker.


WHAT'S PROVIDED AND WHAT YOU'LL NEED

o You'll need a 2-meter HT, or upon request an HT will be provided for you.

o You'll need sufficient batteries to keep your radio operating during your
full time slot. Earphones and handheld microphone are optional.

o An efficient antenna system with a BNC connector will be provided for your
use. An SMA-to-BNC adapter can be provided upon request.

o Split Timers will need a watch with second hand, pencil (or pen), and note
pad for recording bib numbers and times. A watch can be provided upon
request.

o A chair will be available for your use. You might want to bring a cushion
along.

o It would be best to bring drinks and snacks, if you'll want them. At the
time of this writing it isn't clear what will be available at the event.

o Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled start time.

o Dress for the weather!


HELPFUL WEB SITES:

<http://treklite.com/bok/RavenRock2002/index.htm> - Event info, directions
to Raven Rock State Park, etc.

<http://www.hampublicservice.org/soc.html> - Helping hams event information
page.



TO VOLUNTEER PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

   Full name: __________________
   Call sign: __________________
   Home phone: _________________
   Work phone: _________________

   Requested volunteer position (see descriptions above): POSTING POSITION
or SPLIT TIMER

   Requested date and time slot(s) you'd like to fill.  You are welcome to
sign up for as many as you like!

      Saturday March 23             Posting       Split 1       Split 2
      1. 10:30 am - 12:30 pm        available     filled        available
      2. 12:30 pm -  2:30 pm        available     filled        available
      3.  2:30 pm -  4:30 pm        available     filled        available

      Sunday March 24
      4.  8:30 am - 10:30 am        available     available     available
      5. 10:30 am - 12:30 pm        available     available     available
      6. 12:30 pm -  2:00 pm        available     available     available


E-mail to: mailto:cscharlau@intrex.net