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2017 Chevron Houston Marathon – Amateur Radio Operations Manual

HOUSTON MARATHON 2017 AMATEUR RADIO OPERATIONS MANUAL

(31 December 2016)

Check: http://www.hmhams.org/assignments Here you will find your assignment and a course map. At the bottom of that page click on the Documentation link. http://www.hmhams.org/documents There you will find a link to the Frequency Plan and to a document on the operation of an Amateur Radio net. Your assignment is designated in two parts: Your Net and your Tactical Call. There are eight Marathon day nets: COURSE (Course Net) SAG/ AID STATION (Support and Gear – SAG Vehicles Net)/ Aid

Stations/ Medical to UCC LEADPACK (Leading-pack vehicles-to-vehicle Net) TIMING (Timing Net) TIMING RELAY (Timing Net) APPROACH (Finish Line Notification past mile 26) INCIDENT/ TACTICAL (Incident/ Tactical Net) APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System Net)

Your tactical call typically refers to what function you perform and general location. Tactical calls help shorten transmissions and provide clarity. Now that you know your net and tactical call (assignment) read the general instructions first, then those for your Net. Note the race is being broadcast nationally and internationally. Please be mindful of this remain on the side line out-of-view to the TV cameras. The audience is interested in the runners and not the race supporter! There are considerable security concerns. Report any suspicious person(s) or activity(ies) that you see immediately to the UCC AS PRIORITY TRAFFIC so that Public Safety officials can handle. Please do not do anything to evoke suspicion of others of your activities.

http://www.hmhams.org/assignments

http://www.hmhams.org/documents


GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

I. NETS There are 10 nets, including talk-in and the 5K race, with primary and back up repeaters defined plus several unassigned repeaters supporting communications for this event. A table of our Frequency Plan is posted separately.

II. Race Courses There are two race courses on race day: the Marathon and the Half-Marathon.

Runners have bibs with a unique number. Information is embedded in the numbers and colors Should you need to report a matter about a runner, you only need know his or her number, gender, and a general description of their togs (clothing).

III, Net operations All nets for this event use Directed Net Procedures. There are Net Control Operators for each of the Nets located in various locations in the George R Brown Convention Center. Back up Net Control Operators are also at Houston Transtar and Houston Office of Emergency Management if needed.

The Hams in the Cabs of the lead pack vehicles use simplex to communicate among themselves. Because their numbers are small they do use net control procedures. III. Tactical calls Because of the large number of positions covered for these races, we will use tactical calls. Your tactical call is on the Assignment Page. http://www.hmhams.org/assignments Your tactical call is also printed on the label of your packet. Your tactical call is either your “position” or an acronym. Examples are Water Station (Refueling) 12, Finish Line, Start Line. To use a tactical call, for example, you might call your net control station by saying, "Net Control, this is refueling Station 9.3", rather than net control, this is WB5SHU." You will give your call

http://www.hmhams.org/assignments


only at the end of your traffic.1 You might say, WB5SHU, out", which means, "I have finished my traffic and do not expect or need a response." This allows you to comply with FCC regulations for identifying your station. When passing traffic, you should use "over" when you expect or need a reply. IV. Check-in Begin monitoring your net as you head toward your assignment. Check-in for all nets will start at 5:30 AM. V. Start

There are at least two races on Marathon Sunday: the Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Periodically, there may be championship events such as the USA (Championship) Half Marathon. Wheel-chair marathon and ½ marathon races start at 6:45 am. The Houston Marathon and Aramco ½ Marathon starts at 7 am. Race director, Brant Kotch, strives to start all races at the announced times.

The start of all races is on

Congress between San Jacinto and Crawford. There are four runner Corrals associated with the Start procedure.

The Marathon and Half-

Marathon follow the same course until about Mile 8, near Bissonnet St. and Mandel. The Half Marathon then heads towards and north on Montrose to Allen Parkway. There it turns east towards downtown and the finish at the GRB. The Marathon continues on its new course to Memorial near the Arboretum following there after the course many remember from previous years.

1 Assuming your exchange with net control requires less than 10 minutes to

complete.


For those on the TIMING NET Beginning at 6:30 AM, all stations on the Timing Net will transfer to the Course Net. Do not check-in, merely listen. (But, read on) For those on the COURSE NET From 6:30 AM until the Start of the Marathons at 6:45

During this interval, traffic should be limited to matters dealing with the starts. Typically, this means traffic among the starting officials or serious problems at the first 6 water stations. Other matters, such as check-ins or water stations above water station 6 lacking supplies, must wait until after the start. Net Control shall maintain strict discipline during this interval. DO NOT TRANSMIT on the Course Net while the starting officials are getting the final authorization to start the races, unless called by Net Control Station. Especially, do not transmit on the Course Net while we are waiting for the starting gun. Traffic during the period just before the beginning of the race shall be limited to information that might cause an official to delay the start of the race. For example, a vehicle accident on the course is important; having no supplies or volunteers above Mile 7 is not important between 6:30 AM and 7 AM. VI. INCIDENT/ TACTICAL NET

If a situation arises that requires dedicated attention or long involvement of some operators/ positions that proves detrimental to the continued traffic on the Course Net, then select stations may be instructed by the Course NCS to move (QSY) to the Incident/ Tactical Net. A special Net Control Operator will identify and manage the traffic. Tactical Nets may involve directives and request from the Unified Command Center (UCC) that is trying to affect actions for the safety of all. VII. Medical Requests If a runner in your area should need medical attention immediately go to the Course Net and announce that you have medical traffic. Net Control will give you priority. You will be heard by the UCC NCS who will ask for your traffic. (More about this net is below. All reports should include WHO the emergency involves (Runner & Bib ID, Volunteer, or Spectator), where the emergency is located, and the NATURE of the emergency. If a runner is involved, the runner’s race bib number, gender, and any information should be reported to help resolve the emergency. Do not transport anyone yourself. (Be thoughtful about what you say over the air, use the Runners Bib Number and only sufficient information to allow Medical to decide what if needs to send. Refer any requests from the Press to the Race or Executive Director. (See The Press Below)


Medical personnel cruise the course on bicycles with commercial Medical Radios. The Safety NCS is in Unified Command Center and sits near to the Medic Dispatchers for these medics. VIII. Transportation for pooped runners There are eight vans (S.A.G. Vans) and four to eight 55 passenger buses.

These SAGS are managed from the UCC in conjunction with the Medical Initiative; SAG pick-ups will be near Refueling Stations at mile 1.9 and 3.9 are from all Medical Aid Station beyond mile 4. SAG vans initially move from one Medical Stations to the next on a fixed scheduled, but will transition to a demand schedule later in the race if need dictates. Runners who stop at a Refueling station and request SAG are to be instructed to go to the next Medical Aid station by the Station Captain. This Initiative assures that a runner is evaluated medically before being put on SAG.

If a runner stops anywhere on the course (including water/ re-fueling stations) and requests Medical Assistance, this is Medical traffic. If the person is unable to get to the next Aid Station, call the Net Control Operator and advise NCS of the issue. All Course Net traffic halts until the call is resolved. This is done when NCS is the UCC intercepts the call and passes it to the Medical Dispatcher. Several course of action may be taken including dispatching a bicycle medic, dispatching an all-terrain four wheel vehicle, ambulance, up to HFD Ambulance. NCS in the UCC will announce when routine Net operations are to resume. NCS for SAG is located in the Unified Command Center (UCC). SETRAC (SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC)) tents are located along strategic location on the course. SETRAC representatives are in the UCC adjacent to the HFD IC (Houston Fire Department Incident Command) position. NCS shall have a display of where SAG’s are located. Medical can use this display and other information they receive to decide how to respond. Medical makes all decisions about how the SAGS are dispatched. IX. OVERVIEW OF SAG AND MEDICAL INFORMATION FLOW The following diagram depicts the communications and information for Medical and SAG communications.

http://www.setrac.org/go/doc/4207/1594475/


2017 Houston Marathon – UCC Communications Information Flow

TMS SupervisorLocated at UCC

Van Driver/Ham Operator

Bus Driver/Ham Operator

Ham Net Control – GRB 2nd Floor- Course Net- SAG Net/ - APRS & Commercial Tracking

Unified Command- Course Net; SAG Net; Tactical- APRS & Commercial- Medical (Commercial)

Amateur Radio

Ham Operators:• Communicate: Via Ham Radio & Operate Commercial

Radio for Driver• Assist Driver; Help spot runners needing assistance• Assist on vehicle “Medical Ambassador” to Scan Bibs of

Runners boarding; give directions at GRB drop-off • Alert UCC Medical for any rider medical condition

changes observed needing attention• Notify Arrival of Bus/ Van on SAG Net 3 – 5 minutes out

LRFG – 04 Dec 2016

Aid StationsRefueling StationsHam Operator

Operations Channels -Cell Phone or

Commercial

Medical SupervisorDispatcher - Located at

UCC- Medical Commercial Radio- Phone Numbers published

to Committee Members

Bicycle MedicsEMT

Aid StationsMedical Staff

Medical Channels –Commercial+ Cell Phones

GRB MedicalMedical Staff

Public SafetyHPDHFDMETROCities

X. POLICE MATTERS if you see a situation that requires the attention of the police, ask to call the UCC on the Course Net and advise it of the situation. Police Supervisors will be in the Unified Command Center near the NCS. If the situation warrants, the Tactical Net will be activated. XI. THE PRESS Do not make any statements to the press regarding a matter that goes beyond who you are and why you volunteer at the Houston Marathon. All other matters must be directed to Brant Kotch Race Director or Wade Morehead, Executive Director.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR the Course Net

I. Purpose This Net shall be responsible for communications that affect the management of the course. Activities and functions include the Course Officials, Sector Captains, Start and Finish Line Officials, Refueling (Water) & Medical Aid Stations, and several Officials and activities at the GRB. If you are operating at a Medical/ Aid Station and are requesting a SAG or passing SAG related traffic, please use the SAG Net. II. NET CONTROL STATION for COURSE Primary Net Control will be located on the 2nd floor of the GRB. Two operators will share responsibility for the operation of the Course Net, which will be on 2 meters. There will be someone logging significant events. A Special Net Control will be located in the Unified Command Center (UCC) to take over emergency traffic destined for the UCC. Backup operators will be available to staff the Tactical Net should that be needed. III. ASSIGNMENTS TO RACE OFFICIALS Race Director-Kotch Brant Kotch is responsible for questions concerning policies of the Marathon. On Race Day, any sensitive questions where the press is involved, typically where there has been a serious injury to a runner, volunteer or spectator shall be directed to him. The following have jurisdictions that overlap somewhat. If in doubt, ALL conditions that might affect the course should be reported to each official. They will decide who will respond. Course Director-Coburn Stan Coburn is responsible for whether the race should start. He solely determines whether and when the Marathon and ½ Marathon shall start. All matters that affect or might affect the starting of the race should be reported to him. Course Sweep– O’Connor David O’Connor, Course Captain, does a sweep of the course about 30 minutes before the start and decides whether the course is prepared for the runners. His traffic is typically priority during this period and should be relayed to Coburn.


Course/Police Security –Todd Holloman Todd Holloman sweeps the course about 15 minutes before the start and decides whether the course continues to be prepared for runners. His traffic is typically priority during this period and should be relayed to Coburn. Start-Kotch Brandt Kotch is responsible for the timely start of the Marathon Races He needs to know that COURSE (Coburn) approves the start of the Marathon. His communicator is to have control of the net at 06:40. Only emergency traffic has precedence from this time until the start of the race. His mike shall be open just prior to the starting gun. Start Area-Caufield Carly Caufield is responsible for the Start Area. Finish line-Grice and Caufield David Grice (new for 2016) and Carly Caufield are responsible for the Finish Line. He must be informed about the progress of the leading wheel chairs. He needs to know the number of wheel chairs that start (this is known by Kotch-START), and when they pass Water Stations 20 and beyond. Water Station 24.5 should record the time when each wheel chair passes, and immediately report this to FINISH LINE. In a similar fashion, they also need to know the progress of the lead male and female runners in the Full and Half Marathons. Report lead runner and the approximate time they pass your position. The Finish Line Approach– Heads-up team has instructions in a separate document. They will use a special designated “approach” frequency separate from the Course Net for the finish-line approach alerting. IV. Supplies

P.O.D.S. (Portable on Demand Storage). The Refueling Stations (Water Stations) will have all the supplies

they are to get. These are in PODS which will be deployed before RACE DAY. Responses to a request from a Water Station Captain for supplies on Race Day ordinarily will be “Look in your PODS.” “Check especially next to the Mayonnaise, just like in your refrigerator at home.” {Carl Hacker Humor}

BUT, a truck will be used to recover unused supplies, tables and the likes and return items to the warehouse as the stations close. This Truck will have a commercial radio. A liaison with a commercial radio will be stationed by Net


Control to relay information, as needed. Most communications will be of the nature of reminding the Water Station Captain to look carefully for the “missing supplies”. Communications from these trucks are mostly during course shut down when the truck calls ahead to have the Station Captain prepare for pick-up. Hams at a Refueling Stations should notify Course NCS when all supplies are picked up and that they have been dismissed for the event by the Station Captain.

V. Assignments to Sector Captains The Course is divided into six numbered sectors and several named sectors, e.g, Finish Corridor, Downtown Sector.. Each sector has a captain who rides with a HPD officer; in addition, there is a Race Flow Commissioner in a vehicle with an HPD officer. The Race Flow Commissioner along with each Sector Captain determines whether the sectors are prepared for the running of the Marathon and deals with any change in the condition of the course as the runners pass through her sector. Radio operators with Sector Captains will keep their captain informed of any traffic that might affect the operation of that sector and will obtain any information needed by the sector captain. The Ham with each sector may be given a commercial tracker which reports automatically the location of the Captain. (Assuming the HAM is near the Captain.) You are responsible for returning the tracker at the end of the race near the NCS operations on the 2nd floor of the GRB unless instructed otherwise. Instructions for this GPS device procedure are in a separate document.

The domains of each sector can be found from the 2017-Sector-Course-Map.pdf on the web site listed below. http://www.hmhams.org/documents VI. Assignments at refueling (water) stations and Aid (Medical) Stations Water station numbers are based on a nearby mile maker, but stations are not necessarily at a mile marker. They are at City Hydrants. Refer to the map of the course to get a



general understanding of where the station is located. When you are near the Station on Race Day you will see a set of tables with folks filling cups of fluids. Aid Stations and SAG Pick-up points are co-located along the course. For 2017 they are near water stations, but can be ½ mile away at some. Please check http://www.hmhams.org/documents for an Aid Station/ SAG pickup map. Be visible at your water station/ Aid Station/ SAG Stop Locate the person in charge (such as the Water Station Captain) and introduce yourself. The Captain knows someone will be there to provide communications. Be sure that Captain knows where you can be located. Keep the Captain informed of any conditions you hear from NCS that may affect the operation of the station. Routine traffic from the water stations will typically be directed to the Water Station Sector Captain or Director. Note: An important change from previous years Typically, runners who requested medical attention or transportation have done so at a water station. Should either circumstance occur, this shall be reported to net control operator and passed to the UCC. Record and report the runner’s number, gender, condition, and location. If the matter is medical, a medic will be dispatched, if the request is for transportation to the GRB. The SAG Initiative specifies that the runner is be instructed by the Station Captain to go to the nearest Medical Aid Station. This likely will be a block or so away but could be as much as ½ mile. It is the responsibility of the Water Station/ Medical Captain to manage the operation of the water/ aid station. He/ She will have a sheet that describes the location of the station, the people in charge, the kinds and amounts of equipment and supplies in the P.O.D.S. Remain at your post until the police reopen the streets in your area. When the station closes, do not leave until Net Control dismisses you. The Water Station Captain/ Medical/ Aid Station Captain or her delegate is expected to remain with you until the SUPPLY TRUCK picks up the materials at the station or the equipment is disassembled. Inform Net Control when the Water Station’s supplies have been picked up, i.e. the Water Station is closed/shut down, the Aid/ Medical station is closed, or the SAG pick-up is closed. Those stations located early in the race will be through long before the event is over. Some Amateur Radio Operators are scheduled to move to another assigned position. Advise Net Control when you leave your first assignment and go to your subsequent one. When dismissed by Net Control, you are free to go.



However, you may ask by Net Control to staff another position if there is a pressing need. Please ask if there are any other assignments where you can help, if you can. VII. The start and pace of the race From 6:15 am until the start of the Wheel Chair Race (6:45) During this interval, traffic on the COURSE NET shall be limited to traffic dealing with the start of the race. Only water stations 1 through 6 should report problems. All other problems at water stations downstream will be dealt with AFTER the start. During the 10 minutes before the race, the radio operator with Race Director Kotch shall have control of the net. His mike shall be open just prior to the firing of the starting gun. Only emergency traffic should be passed during this period After the start of the race All stations along the course should Report Lead Wheelchair and Lead Male & Female Runners in both the Full and Half Marathons along the race course. If several operators are positioned at nearly the same spot, transmit only one report. Finish Line officials find it important to know where the leading three (3) wheelchairs, leading three (3) male runners, and leading three (3) female runners are along the course. If there is a “pack” of several runners, please describe such as “lead runners – 4 men and two women.” When these competitors pass your station, inform net control. The lead runners will be just behind a Pace Truck. Record and report to Course NCS the bib numbers and gender of the first 3 competitors where possible. The radio operators with the Finish Line and other course officials will relay this information. If a wheel chair drops out at your station, record and report this to NET CONTROL and the FINISH LINE. This information lets the Finish Line know when they can open all chutes to runners. Net Control will obtain the number of wheelchair entries from Race Director-Kotch shortly after the start of the Marathon. You should record and report each sighting of a wheel chair to net control. These sightings should be reported to FINISH as they occur. This is priority traffic. Net Control should also report to you any wheel chairs that have dropped out.


Instructions for the leading pack of vehicles There is a pack of vehicles in front of the Marathon in which Marathon Officials, the Press, and VIP’s ride. I. At 4:45 am.

You have been provided with your vehicle assignment. Each vehicle will be labeled with a similar sign located on the windshield/dash. You will be transported from packet pick-up to the parking lot behind the GRB near the south exit. Quickly locate your assigned vehicle and install your gear and antenna where there is light! You will be leaving shortly about 5 a.m.

IF YOU MISS TRANSPORT TO THE GRB GO DIRECTLY TO VEHICLE STAGING AREA which is in front of the Start line. The Start line for all races is On Congress between San Jacinto and Caroline. See diagram earlier in this document or other copies. II. At 6:30 am All radio operators in the leading pack of vehicles are to move/ listen to the COURSE NET at 6:30 am. Do not check-in; just listen. At 6:35 am, the amateur radio operator (tactical call: Race Director Kotch) will be at the Starting Line will have an open-mike to transmit the starts over the COURSE NET. After the 7:00 am start, return to the direct (simplex) frequency for your net III. After the 7:00 am Start Your job will be to maintain communications with each other on a direct frequency. You will be in the front seat of these vehicles next to the driver. You will be passing traffic among the drivers to help them coordinate the locations of each vehicle in relation to the runners and to each other. IV. Note: All Lead Trucks on both Courses will have APRS

Instructions for the Timing Net The Timing Net will report, record, and relay the times and numbers of the lead male and female runners as they pass each mile mark. The Net will have a Net Control, an amateur station in the male and female Full Marathon pace vehicles and in the Half Marathon male and female pace vehicles, and at the Finish Line. An Timing NCS in the GRB will manage traffic from the Stations in the cargo area of the Pace Trucks. A NCS at TRANSTAR will record the times at each mile, and calculate splits. The Ham at the finish fine also keeps a log of the progress of the Pace Trucks and passes this information to the race official at


FINISH. The Hams in the Cargo area of the Pace Trucks will focus on preparing for the locating the next mark and reporting to the NCS they have it in sight and when whey pass. During the course of the race, no other traffic should interfere with this objective. I. AT 4:45 am:

The amateur radio operators assigned to the cargo area of the PACE TRUCKS should locate their vehicles in the parking lot behind the GRB near the south exit. Your assignment role indicates your vehicle assignment. Each vehicle will be labeled with a similar sign located on its windshield/dash. Quickly locate your assigned vehicle and install your gear and antenna where there is light! You will be leaving shortly about 5 a.m. Find your vehicle preferably behind the GRB as they are being prepared. Hang out with the APRS hams in the Cabs of the vehicles. If you miss this, go to the Start area (see above) and join your vehicle II. AT 6:15 am All stations on the TIMING NET are to move/ listen to the COURSE NET at 6:15am. Do not check-in -- just listen. At 6:40 am the amateur radio operator (tactical call: Race Director Kotch) shall have an open-mike to transmit the starts over the COURSE NET. The amateur radio operators in the cargo area of the PACE TRUCKS should be on-station and ready to go. III. AFTER THE 7:00 AM START After the 7:00 am start, those on the TIMING NET will return to the assigned net frequency (SEE Frequency Plan on a separate document) The PACE TRUCKS will proceed down course and move down the course west of I-45 and get into position just in front of the lead runners after the runners separate. There are four positions that the vehicles will wait for runners before becoming active on the race course. The radio operators in the cargo area of these trucks will report the times at which the lead runners pass each MILE MARKER. A race official will be with you in the truck with a synchronized clock and will give you the times and runner’s number to report. {Other reporting methods will be via Twitter}. Your traffic might go: “Net Control, this is Marathon Lead Female coming to a Mile Post” (NCS should know which one). When you are at the mile post, you say for example: “Mile Post Mark. Lead Female name or number is xxx”. Some years reading the name/ number is a challenge as they are small and moving. The race official in the Cargo Area should help with this name/ number. A good Race


official with develop a rhythm for you. Others on the truck will be using TWITTER and text messaging via cell phones to also report timing information. You are there to provide an alternate, and usually a faster report than the other forms of communication in the cargo area. You should have several sources of information. They may tell you he splits. These should be close to what NCS in TRANSTAR calculates. It is not critical these two numbers match with great precision. Your job is to focus on calling out “Mark” when you pass a mile flag. TIMING NET CONTROL will record all of the times (But see below). Operators (SHADOWS) with other officials (especially FINISH) should also periodically monitor this net for the cadence of the race and to prepare the finish area in a timely fashion. Net Control at the GRB (operating on 2 m) will have sole responsibility for traffic among the four pace trucks. TRANSTAR/RELAY will also record these times on a spreadsheet which will calculate splits. Rechecks shall be solely through TRANSTAR/RELAY on 70 cm (see Frequency Plan ).

Instructions for the SAG net

Medical is responsible for the operation of SAG Vehicles under the SAG Initiative. There are eight TMS Vans and four to eight 55 passenger buses in the SAG initiative. Each Van will have a Ham with APRS and 70 cm voice capability. The TMS Vans Vans will be staged in/ along/ near the Hilton Parking Garage Area southwest of the GRB by 4:00 am. {2017 NOTE: SuperShuttle is not providing vans this year.}

Ham operators will be given South Parking Lot permits allowing access to equipment and tools to rig Vans and Buses. They should be parked by 5:00 am in the South Parking lot. Ham operators shall be rigged up in a van and ready to roll by 5:30. The Vans Operators need to be at an assembly area in the vicinity of the South Lot by 5:00 for instructions from the coordinator of the SAG initiative. The Hilton garage bounded by Polk Street/ Clay Street/ Jackson Street/ Chenevert Street on the southly end of the George R. Brown Convention Center (connected by sky-bridge). NOTE: Hams assigned to SAG Vans or Buses should drive to parking Lot B (East of Minute Maid Park), pick up credentials, consolidate vehicles if possible, get a parking pass, and then drive directly to the South Parking Lot and coordinate with Frank Robichaux, N5EJX, for SAG. A representative of TMS will be in the area of South Lot (GRB) at 5:00 to label


the Vans with their number and to that HAMS and Vans are aligned. The Van number will be on the Window behind the Driver. George Pickard of TMS will initiate Van and Bus dispatching from the staging point. Net Control for the SAGS will be in the UCC near to the HFD Incident Command. NCS will have a monitor which will display the position of each van and SAG bus (where equipped). SAG pick-up points will be near Aid (Medical) stations under the medical director of the Medical Aid Stations on the course. Routinely, the SAGS will follow a course laid out in the SAG initiative. Should the medical director require a SAG vehicle to be dispatched to a location different from the sequence in this initiative, he will ask NCS to pass such traffic/ request to the HAM on the SAG vehicle. Similar instructions will be passed via commercial radios. Note the Amateur Radio may operate both his/ her amateur radio and the commercial radio to provide safe operations for the driver, especially if the vehicle is underway (moving). The direction of the SAGS is solely under the responsibility of the SAG initiative and the Aid Station Medical Director. The location of the SAG Vans will be also monitored at the Net Control area at Balcony E of the GRB as a backup to provide additional resources if needed.


Instructions for the INCIDENT/ TACTICAL NET in the Unified Command Center

I. Net Description

This Special Net Control Operators will monitor the Course Net and operate the SAG Net to pick up and take care of any Emergency, Priority, or security traffic. The Net control operators of the Course and SAG nets will turn over Net control to the UCC to handle any safety/security traffic. The UCC NCS will also handle any traffic to or from the race officials located in the UCC, police, fire department, or medical. This Net handled quite a bit of traffic in both directions the past two years. . This Net will mainly work with the Marathon Race Safety and Security Officials. The UCC will have the following agencies inside the UCC: Houston Police Department (HPD), Houston Fire Department (HFD), Medical, Race Team and Official, Houston METRO Police and Operations, and various Federal Security Agency representatives as needed. Each of these agencies has secure agency communication capability to their field resources. The Safety Net Control Station provides the link from the UCC to the HAM Operators.

Should a circumstance arise where health, welfare or safety is best dealt with by the Unified Command, then this Net will take control of the Course and/ or SAG Nets. THE MAIN EMERGENCY NETWORK WILL BE THE COURSE NET (OR DESIGNATED ALTERNATE). EVERYONE SHOULD GO TO THE COURSE NET UNLESS DIRECTED OTHERWISE TO A TACTICAL NET.

If a situation arises that requires dedicated attention or long involvement of

some operators/ positions that proves detrimental to the continued traffic on the Course Net, then select stations may be instructed by the Course NCS to move (QSY) to the Incident / Tactical/ Net. A special Net Control Operator will identify and manage the traffic. Tactical Nets may involve directives and request from the Unified Command Center (UCC) that is trying to affect actions for the safety of all.

Unified Command –

Safety/ Tactical

145.37 (-) (PL 123.0) N5TRS

146.88(-) (PL 146.2) WR5AAA

There may be back-up NCS operators in a room in the GRB where HPD has liaisons with other emergency services and in the HFD’s Incident Command Van stationed nearby. This (these) NCS operators will monitor both Course and SAG Nets. All traffic dealing with these services may be passed to them. Also, these services will pass traffic to this Net (mostly for runner pickup) for handling by the SAG Net Should a circumstance arise where health, welfare or safety is best dealt with by the Unified Command, then this Net will take control of the Course and/ or SAG Nets.


This Net will also monitor the Event Alert System and communicate its status every 15 minutes or immediately upon an Event Alert System change. Every volunteer and official has an Event Alert System Table and description tag behind their badges and have been asked to familiarize them with the System. The Event Alert level will be described as: white (cold weather alert), green (low), yellow (moderate), red (high) or black (extreme).

Instructions for Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) Net This system will be used to track and report the location of several vehicles used in the Marathon. This net will track the positions of several vehicles on the course.

These include the Leading Pack and

The SAG Vans and Buses The positions of these vehicles will be displayed at the HAM NCS group at Balcony A of the GRB and at the NCS with the Medical Director for the Course Medical Aid Stations in the SERAC Tent.

The operating parameters for the TNC’s are provided in a separate document by Walter Holmes, K5WH.

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