Folks:
Lee has asked that I fwd this to the BVARC reflector.
The 2015 Houston Marathon needs Amateur Radio operators and other
volunteers to provide public service communications and related support. This
is
the 43rd consecutive year for this event. Last year over 100 communications
volunteers helped assure the safety and welfare of the runners and
uncounted number of spectators watching the race. This year, 30,000
participants,
7,500 volunteers, and 250,000 spectators are expected.
· The ABB 5K will be held Saturday, January 17, 2015. Hams
participating need to arrive at 5:00 a.m. and will be released between 10 am to
2 pm depending on assignment.
· The Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon
will be held Sunday, January 18, 2015. Hams volunteers need to arrive at 4:30
a.m. and will be released between noon to pm depending on assignment.
Amateur Radio Operators provide:
· tactical communications for race status and operational
information using 2 m and 70 cm voice and data communications and tracking via
APRS
;
· status information for public safety agencies and request to
public safety agencies on behalf and at the direction of race officials;
· logistics coordination and support for SAG and race operations;
· course observation and information as part of the safety
operations for race participants, volunteers, and general public;
· Communications facilitator and personal assistance for race
officials (Shadow)
Amateur Radio Operator Registration
Volunteers must complete register at two web sites:
· First _www.hmhams.org_ (http://www.hmhams.org/) Houston
Marathon Hams’ web site provides pertinent information for Amateur Radio
Operator
roles. The site enables one to volunteer by providing Amateur Radio
specific information required for a “ham” Houston Marathon assignment. You
will provide equipment details and to receive explicit instruction on how to
register with the Houston Marathon Volunteer web site for Amateur Radio
Operators (step two).
o Please complete the Volunteer Information section of the Houston
Marathon Hams Welcome page.
o Enter your preferred e-mail address and cell phone numbers, as a cell
phone is more helpful during the race event. Indicate the kinds of radios
you will use and mark your assignment preference. In the comment
section of Houston Marathon Hams indicate additional equipment and special
information, the position you held last year and if you want to be reassigned
that position. In most cases, I will ask you to accept the assignment you had
last year. Indeed, many of us have developed friendships with other
Marathon volunteers, which we renew annually. If you wish to change, please
indicate that in the Comments Section of the “Hams” web page and I will work
to accommodate your preference.
o Click the “Register” button when you have completed filling the
information.
o You will receive a confirmation email. Please respond to this
confirmation email to validate your registration.
o Follow the subsequent email and on-line instructions for completing
the second web site registration process.
* Secondly, after getting registration validation email from the “
hams” web site please follow the details provided in the email and from
_www.hmhams.org_ (http://www.hmhams.org/) site to register on the Houston
Marathon’s Volunteer web site to complete required legal paperwork for the
event, and to facilitate marathon interfaces for credentials and other
matters.
NOTE: The Ham Registration Details on the Chevron Houston Marathon’s
Volunteer web page are private and cannot be found without these special
instructions.
* Note “Amateur Radio Operator” positions do not show on the
Houston Marathon Volunteer public site and require a special access code
provided
in the “hams” confirmation email.
By registering on the two web sites, you will let me know whether you can
help this year. Generally, all communications volunteers will report for
duty around 4:30 am for the Marathon and 5:00 am for the 5K Run. Your
assignment or location on the course will determine when your duty ends. Many
will finish by noon, and the latest you might expect to stay is 2:00 p.m.
For your help you will receive the eternal gratitude of race competitors and
this year’s shirt and cap.
Equipment
Amateurs Radio Operators must provide their own multi-band radio equipment
packages with tone capability.
We will operate on 2 meters and 70 centimeters, both on simplex and
through repeaters using tone access. We will use APRS to track vans and other
race vehicles. To enable me to determine the kinds of assignments you might
be asked to accept, indicate the kinds of radios you will use by indicating
your handheld or mobile equipment when registering on the “Hams” web
page. Indicate the band(s) 2m or 70cm (or both), the unit’s APRS capability
and other capabilities. Use the comments section for additional information
relating to equipment or operational capabilities:
Hand Held Equipment
2 meter / 146 MHz70 centimeter / 440 MHzAPRS
----------
Mobile Equipment
2 meter / 146 MHz70 centimeter / 440 MHzAPRSUsable in another vehicle?Have
your own Battery Power?
Requirements
H/H -- A hand-held radio capable of transmitting at 5 watts with
sufficient batteries power to operate over 7 hours or more transmitting
now-and-then. Indicate if you have headsets or other high noise capable
accessories in
the comments section.
PORTABLE (stationary mobile unit) -- Any kind of radio that can be quickly
set up in a vehicle and that has an externally mounted antenna; may either
have self-contained battery pack or draw on vehicle's battery (directly or
through 12 VDC power receptacle).
MOBILE -- A radio mounted in a vehicle with an external antenna; capable
of 25+ watts output using vehicle supplied power or ham provided battery
pack.
APRS—1) Fully integrated into handheld or mobile transceiver; 2) Tracker
station— GPS receiver, TNC, & transceiver; 3) Receiving station— TNC,
computer, WinAPRS or APRS+
New Amateur Radio Operator to the Houston Marathon Event!
I encourage new amateur radio operators and other volunteers who would be
willing to work this event to sign-up. Being paired with an experienced
Amateur provides an opportunity for mentoring and learning firsthand about
public service events! In the past, several volunteers who do not have
amateur radio licenses have provided support by driving transport vans,
searching for runners who asked for transport, and logging and dispatching
requests for transport. Should you know of others who would like to help,
please have them register and we will contact them for assignments.
Thank you again for your help in the past. I look forward to working with
you again this year.
Sincerely,
Lee Gaspard, WA5QXE { [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) ;
713-248-8853 cell}
Frank Robichaux, N5EJX _{[email protected]}_ (mailto:{[email protected]})
Marathon Information: http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/
Houston Marathon Hams: _www.hmhams.org_ (http://www.hmhams.org/)
Lee Roy F. Gaspard, Jr.
Gerald (Jerry) Muller KF5EYC
[email protected]
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