[W1SMH] Run Of The Charles:

[bruce alexander]

I am pasting the announcement, which I posted several week ago, a second 
time.  Bob tells me that help is still needed for the Canoe race, & I 
offered to pass the word.  If you are interested in helping out, contact 
Bob, WA1IDA, or myself, at the numbers, E-Mail addresses listed below.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Bruce Alexander
KA1IG, 447.975
(617) 721-5695
mailto:ka1ig at verizon.net

JOINT RECRUITING FOR MS07 AND RC07



Ham help needed



As the 2007 ham public service season gets underway, we immediately ran into 
a crunch.  In the past you may have volunteered for one or all of the 
following separate events - or maybe none of them.  Now we find that on 
Sunday, 29 April, all three events are scheduled on the same day, and, as we 
have done for many years, we are asked to support them all.



**  Run of the Charles - canoe races on the Charles River from Needham to 
Boston.



**  Multiple Sclerosis Boston Walk - start/finish near Harvard Stadium, walk 
in Boston and Cambridge.



**  Multiple Sclerosis Journey of Hope - walk from Wellesley to near Harvard 
Stadium.



Each of these events has hazards and quirks, but our communications will 
make the day safe and smooth.  For those who are new to ham public service, 
it's a good introduction - and we need your help.  For those who have done 
this before - your help is needed more than ever.  In years past, we have 
been thanked and honored for our skilled service.



For hams, the MS Boston Walk begins at 1000 at the Harvard Athletic Complex 
in Brighton.  The courses are a 3- or 5- mile walk along both sides of the 
Charles River, ending in mid-afternoon.  An excellent lunch is provided.



The MS "Journey of Hope" starts at the Elm Bank Reservation along the 
Charles River in Wellesley and proceeds along Route 16 to Route 30 
(Commonwealth Ave) in Newton.  It then cuts northeast through Newton, 
Watertown, Cambridge and Brighton to the Harvard Athletic Complex.  There 
will be several checkpoints and mobile riders along the way.  Hams assigned 
to the start and the checkpoints can go directly to their assignments.  The 
start will need communications at 0700, but the other locations can start 
later, finishing in mid-afternoon.  Lunches will be provided.



The Run of the Charles assignments will begin as early as 0700, most of the 
others somewhat later.  As in the past, our duties are primarily safety and 
administrative at the dam portages, as well as shadows for key staff and at 
Net Control.



A 2-meter, 5 watt hand-held is satisfactory for most of the assignments.  A 
dual-band radio is desirable, but not required.  An antenna better than the 
"rubber duck" that came with the radio is essential.  Some of the canoe race 
riverside locations may have difficult communications.



As ham public service, these are interesting and fun experiences.  The 
communication load is light, but that doesn't begin to compare with the 
problems of handling canoes in a rushing river.  Safety and support for the 
participants are always important.



Because of the three concurrent events, several 2-meter and 70-cm repeaters 
will probably be used.  Be sure to have sufficient batteries to last the 
day.



If you can help for this event, please reply 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



Let me know your event preference, particularly if you have done it before. 
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 like to volunteer, ask them to send the 
above information to me.  If you are new and want to get more public service 
experience, this is an excellent event to get your feet wet.  The MS Walks 
are a low impact opportunity to learn the ropes.



Your assistance is valuable.  Please let me know promptly if you can help. 
I will get the assignments and more details to those who volunteer as soon 
possible.  If you have already volunteered, bear with me and reply to this 
message, also.  Get back to me if you have any questions or would like to 
recommend another ham to join us.



73,

Bob Salow, WA1IDA

wa1ida at arrl.net

508.650.9440