[W1SMH] Run Of The Charles:

[bruce alexander]

I received this from Bob earlier today.  It is a fun event, & sometimes we 
have the opportunity to watch folks get wet?  If you are new to public 
service
events, this is a good one to attend, with moderate activity, which should 
keep one from becoming bored.
The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has again requested ham 
support for the Run of the Charles (ROTC) canoe races.  Some administrative 
delays
have caused time to be short and your prompt response will really help. 
Fortunately, the river and race conditions have not changed much in recent 
years.
 This event, like so many others in the Greater Boston area, has been 
coordinated by or through the Boston Amateur Radio Club.  I manage the 
public service
activities for the club.
We should all be aware of the critical nature of this event and the 
restrictions it imposes on the ham support.  I intend to continue that 
concept.  As
I increase the number of hams needed to do this job, I plan to be selective 
of ham quality.  To manage this I ask that you respond to the questions 
below
as quickly and as accurately as you can.  Email will be the primary means of 
communication between us.
This year the ROTC will be on Sunday, 30 April 2006.  Some assignments will 
begin as early as 0700, others somewhat later.  As in the past, our duties 
are
primarily safety and administrative at the dam portages, as well as shadows 
for key CRWA staff and at Net Control.  A 2-meter, 5 watt hand-held is 
satisfactory.
 A dual-band radio is desirable, but not required.  An antenna better than 
the "rubber duck" that came with the radio is essential because the 
riverside
locations may make communications difficult.  Be sure to have sufficient 
batteries to last the day.  I will furnish you with assignments, more 
details
and instructions as soon as the information is available.
As a ham event, this is an interesting and fun experience.  The 
communication load is light, but that doesn't begin to compare with the 
problems of handling
canoes in a rushing river.  The CRWA emphasizes safety and care for the 
participants, so wetness is frequent and accidents are few.
If you can help for this event, please respond with all of the following 
information as soon as possible.  Reply by email is the best method.
Full name
On-air name
Call sign
Postal mailing address (including 9-digit ZIPcode)
Evening phone
Day phone
Cell phone
Email address
Does your 2-meter radio have CTCSS (PL)?
Do you have a dual-band radio?
Do you have a magnetic mount antenna?
T-shirt size
Also, with regard to this event, let me know your station preference(s), if 
any, and time of assignment desired.  Note that we cannot assure you that 
all
preferences can be granted.  Depending on the responses received, there is a 
slight chance we cannot use all volunteers.  Try to get back to me as 
quickly
as you can.
If you know other hams who would meet the ROTC quality standards and are 
interested in this event, ask them to send the above information to me.
73,
Bob Salow
wa1ida at arrl.net
508.650.9440