[Scanner] Re: [CLARC] MS150 support

[Mike Urich]

From: <TPOBrien@aol.com>

> 1. Hams are bound by the same physics as cell phones and commercial
VHF/UHF
> radios.  When we operate VHF/UHF, we're stuck with line of sight (plus a
> little).

> 2. An alternative ham mode, with longer range, is HF (80m or 40m) mobile.



Mike wrote

When I lived up in Indiana for a few years back they had a similar event up
there.  We were able to cover the entire route with just 4 repeaters without
having to use the 145.25 (based in Indianapolis, it reaches into 3 other
states) but it was always on back-up and served as a back "chat" channel.
We broke different "sag" stops, "sag wagons" & "EMS" onto different
repeaters based upon location.  As the hams on the ride moved along the
course they changed repeaters as necessary.   Each repeater had a "net
control" station who operated out of their house and had hf privileges so
they could talk to the other net controls on 40phone.

It didn't require a *LOT* of people, just *GOOD* organization.  I don't
recall where this event (Houston MS150) actually started / finished and its
exact route but I can't imagine you wouldn't have machines to use all the
way between Houston & Austin.  There could be some areas where coverage
wouldn't be all that great but a J-Pole on a short stick with just about any
HT is going to do pretty good for fixed use, and a 5/8 mobile mag mount & HT
in the mobiles should be sufficient.

I would be more than willing to help on the long range (no pun) planning
since I've helped in a few of these and can bring some ideas to the table.
Lets just not wait until next year to do it.

Mike Urich,   KA5CVH
www.ka5cvh.com
LaPorte TX   EL-29