Bike Rally/Walk-a-thon
Communications Support
DCARA Roles and Radio Operator Duties
• What is Amateur Radio’s Role?• Stations and assignments• What equipment are needed to help out?• Tour De Cure – August 3rd
• Other upcoming events• How do I sign up?
Amateur Radio operators provide safety and welfare communications support for
the event
oExtra eyes on the courseo Track the first and last ridersoGet help to riders that need assistanceoRelay supply and logistical informationo Look for hazards and lost ridersoVerify the course is clear of riders
What’s a SAG?!Lets clear up some acronyms and terminology
NCSRoverSAG
Rest StopShadow
TailLead
OK, So what does each communications
positions do?
NCSNet Control Station
Maintains orderly communications and serves as the focus for net functions
Keeps track of all resources, active and reserveDirects radio traffic (Directed Net)
Maintains net disciplineLogs incidents and traffic
Persons wanting to be an NCS,
The net control is in charge of the net during the event and is responsible for the information
flow and the character of the event net. The net control operator can make or break a net.
o Have strong, clear signal with good audioo Issue all instructions in a clear and concise toneo Keeps track of the status of all stations and their
capabilities and functionso Keeps a written log of traffic handled during the
event
RoverRovers monitor the course looking for
hazards, riders or participants that need assistance, and track the location
and status of the first and last riders/participants
Typically are assigned a specific portion of the route/course and remain in that section until directed by Net Control to relocate or secure
Rest Stop OperatorsThe primary responsibility of the operator will
be to report incidents involving rider or volunteer safety
Generally, these incidents are rare
The most likely reports will be involving supplies or transportation requests (SAG)
Be at the rest stop about 30 minutes before the first riders are anticipated to arrive. You should not
request permission to secure until the last ride has left the rest stop
While you’re specific assignment is communications, feel free to assist the rest stop
staff as long as you can still maintain radio communications at all times
Event ShadowAllows constant contact with some person who
is important to the event operation
Thus the amateur operator MUST remain in the immediate vicinity of the person shadowed AT ALL
TIMES
Because the person being shadowed will usually be involved in some important activity, the shadow should
be mostly unobtrusive in the vicinity of the person, interjecting only when communications is needed
The shadow operator must remain with the person being shadowed at all times. In addition, the
amateur must monitor the radio AT ALL TIMES.
The operator should be in good physical condition to be able to walk and sometimes long distances
with the official
OK, So what equipment do I need?
• NCS – the club will generally supply the equipment for the NCS station• Everyone
o ICS 205 communications plan and course maps• Rover
o Your Vehicleo Mobile Radio, preferably dual band (2m and 70cm)o APRS is preferred (but not required) so NCS can monitor your locationo Safety vest
• Rest Stop Operatoro Hand Held Radio (HT) – at least 2m, prefer dual bando Safety vest
• Event Shadowo Hand Held Radio (HT) – at least 2m, prefer dual bando Safety vest
What else could be helpful??
Portable Go Kit for remote/distant rest stops(this is a great opportunity to make sure your go kit
still works!!)
Magnetic Signs for Rovers indicating you are an Amateur Radio Communications vehicle
Amber LED or revolving lights for Rovers and Tail
Tour De CureAugust 3rd 6:30am to 3:00pm
Start/Finish at Texas Motor Speedway
3 courses (15mi, 32mi, and 62mi)
4 rest stops
NCS will be in the parking lot South of the South Tunnel(Look for the Grey Denton County Emergency
Management Motor Home – CLEATUS)
Other Events this year• Oct 12 – North Texas Bicycle Rally
o Start/Finish South of Roanokeo Four courses encompassing Trophy Club, Keller, Roanoke, Haslett, and
more
• October 26 – Komen Ride for the Cure o LBJ Grasslands National Park (Wise County)o Horse Rideo Stationary positionso HT’s will work fine
• November 2 - Touched By Suicide Community Walko Bartonville Town Centero Course is on the trails and through Lantana
• November 16 – Turkey Roll Bicycle Rallyo Start/Finish at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (West of
North Lakes Park)o Courses go North as far as Valley Viewo 5 courses – 5 miles to 68 miles
Keep an eye on the calendar on the DCARA.net web site
How do I sign up
to help with events?
Join the DCARA Operations Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dcara_ops/
Also Linked from the DCARA Web Page
The call for operators only gets sent to those that are registered in the OPS
Yahoo Group
Questions??