[W1SMH] A Half Marathon, but A Whole Lot Of Fun:

[bruce alexander]

Bob sent this to me, so I thought I should should share it with you.

This is one of the last of the ham public service events for this year, so 
you can relax (except for the "real" disasters).  Here we are at the Sixth 
Annual
BAA Half Marathon.  For the past five years this event received huge 
acclaim - largely because of the skills and experience of the organizers and 
support
staff (we are definitely a part of that).  The Half is run almost entirely 
in Boston (2% in Brookline), with about 5000 local, national and 
international
athletes expected.  Proceeds benefit the Jimmy Fund.

Our ham radio team has been asked again to support communications for this 
event doing our usual medical, water and administrative tasks.  We 
definitely
need your help - and more hams.  Time is short.

The Half Marathon will be held on SUNDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2006.  Time and other 
details are below.  The course is along the length of the "Emerald Necklace" 
(as
beautiful as you can get in Boston).  The out-and-back route starts and 
finishes at Clemente Field in the Fenway.  It follows the Riverway, 
Jamaicaway,
and Arborway to the Franklin Park Zoo for a turnaround and return on almost 
the same route.

The weather is likely to be cool and the 13.1-mile course should not be a 
strain on the athletes.  Water and medical stations are spaced 
appropriately.
 We also have assignments at several hazardous points.  Our duties on the 
course will be to support these locations, but we also serve as observers of
the runners, spectators and local residents (some of their streets are to be 
closed).  Most stations serve both outbound and inbound runners.  At 
Clemente
Field, we have a number of fixed and roving medical assignments.

If you are assigned to a station on the course, and you wish to drive, you 
may go directly to the assigned location.  I hope to have a ham course 
Traveler
who will deliver your identity (long sleeve) shirt.  If you are willing to 
drive directly to your station on the course, I will send you a Vehicle 
Permit
(as an email attachment in MS Word) for you to print out.  Those assigned to 
course stations must be on site at 0700 so the Traveler can meet you briefly
and move on.  The Traveler will call your station as he approaches.  Be 
ready and go to the Traveler's car or bus for the ID shirt and any last 
minute
information.

If you do not plan to drive to an assigned course station, you must arrive 
at Clemente Field at 0600.  A parking lot for volunteers only will be 
located
about three blocks away from Clemente.  You will receive an ID shirt and any 
last minute information.  There will be transportation from Clemente to the
course station assignments.

Hams assigned to posts at Clemente Field must be present at 0700 for a 
briefing and the amenities.  Keep in mind that parking in the Fenway area is 
limited,
so allow time to find a space, use the volunteer parking lot, or take the T 
(if running at that hour - see www.mbta.com).  The area is T accessible from
several directions.  Parking (at that hour) will also be available at the 
Landmark Center (formerly the Sears store) on < st1:address w:st="on">Park 
Drive
at
Brookline Ave.  There is a charge for the Landmark parking.

The entire event should be over before 1130, and all roads will be 
(progressively) opened.  This schedule is what is known now.  Better details 
later.

Because the entire course is compact, very few repeaters need be used.  Our 
present plan is to use both 2-meters and 70-cm, both bands with CTCSS.

WE NEED YOU TO VOLUNTEER.  As in the past, we are committed to reliable, 
professional performance, and the requirements below lead to this goal. 
Please
note them and sign up quickly.  Each ham must have his or her own radio and 
accessories - no sharing of equipment can be permitted during the event. 
Each
ham must be self sufficient for the entire period, as we cannot assure 
partnered assignments.

1.  For the duration of this event you are considered a member of the Boston 
Amateur Radio Club (BARC) and a BAA volunteer.  BARC carries a liability 
insurance
policy.

2.   To assist in identification and security, you must wear a badge with 
your name and call sign.  Your volunteer credential will be a special 
long-sleeve
shirt provided at the beginning of the day and your bright orange "Emergency 
Communications" cap (available for $5.00 - let me know if you need one).

3.   Our communications support is provided only by licensed Amateur Radio 
operators, Technician class or above.  Be sure to have a good photocopy of 
your
valid license with you.

4.   Because of the terrain and expected radio traffic congestion, you 
should have a full size antenna (that is, better than a minimal "rubber 
 duck") and
a battery supply sufficient to run at your maximum power if necessary. 
While you will mostly listen and rarely transmit, the best guide is for 10 
hours
of battery capability.  The ambient noise level may be high, so an 
inexpensive headset (not just an ear plug) is strongly recommended.

5.   To present ourselves as professional and proficient, you must be neatly 
dressed.  The bright orange "Emergency Communications" cap is essential for
identification.  Local residents and the media will be watching.

6.   Expect the media.  If you are interviewed, state that you are a ham 
radio operator, and give only a very brief statement about what your 
assignment
is.  Then refer the interviewer to our public relations staff (call Net 
Control for direction).  Please do not offer prolonged descriptions of the 
joys
of ham radio.

NOTE:

More hams are needed.  Please spread the word in your local club and to your 
on-the-air friends!  Anyone interested should contact me directly ASAP.  We
also need you to understand that although we must call for more hams now, 
final staffing needs may not match the number of ham volunteers.  Therefore,
a very small possibility exists that we still may not be able to give 
everyone an assignment.

As the event date gets closer, instead of formal briefings, those who 
volunteer will receive an email with the assignment, a detailed description 
of the
assignment site and other information.

If you can give this event your help, please contact me as soon as possible. 
We also need to know if your radio has 2-meters with CTCSS and if you have
the 70-cm band.  If you have any questions about participation, do not 
hesitate to contact me at once.

When you reply, please include the following information:

    Your best email address for last minute information.

    Can you open an MS Word email attachment?

    Are you available to drive, and, if assigned on the course (not 
assured), would you drive there directly?

    Your shirt size.

If you have already informed me that you are available, please reply to this 
message anyway.

73,

Bob Salow, WA1IDA

508.650.9440  (H)

617.650.0062  (Cell)

wa1ida at arrl.net

© 2006 WA1IDA - S /060912