[Scan-DC] Fw: Amateur Radio Involvment with the Marine Corps Marathon

[Alan Henney]

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Cross
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 2:08 PM
Subject: Amateur Radio Involvment with the Marine Corps Marathon

Date:           October 21, 2008

From:   Jim Cross; PIO for Amateur Radio for Marine Corps Marathon

Communication assistance for many aspects of the Marine Corps Marathon
being
run this Sunday, October 26, will be provided by local Amateur Radio
volunteers from VA, DC and MD.  Over 100 volunteers positioned around
the
course provide the eyes and ears for the safety of the runners.  Using
digital technology we provide downed runner information to medical
personnel
from Aid Stations on the course.

Working with the MCM demonstrates how Amateur Radio volunteers can
work with
a government agency and also how we function under the National
Incident
Management System promoted by FEMA.

When communications systems fail or become overloaded during a
disaster,
Amateur Radio often becomes the back up emergency communications
system for
many local, state and national agencies.

For an example of how Amateur Radio would work during a disaster such
as
Katrina, you are invited to visit the Amateur Radio Net Control
Station set
up outside on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, 3700 N.
Capitol St, NW.  You will be able to see how we handle voice
communications
from the course and digital communications, all independent from the
power
grid.

Since this is a secure government facility, I need to give the full
name of
the reporter, a telephone number and name of the media organization to
the
AFRH PIO for approval by 3pm Wednesday October 22.  If you wish to
have a
crew visit, please enter the AFRH at corner of Rock Creek Church Road
and
Upshur Streets, NW.  After stopping at the guard post they will be
escorted
to the operation.

If you would like to put this on your schedule to visit or to have it
available as a contingency plan, or if you have any questions, please
call
me.  Thank you.

    Jim Cross, WI3N
    ARRL Section Manager, Maryland-D.C.
    http://www.arrl-mdc.net