Marine Corps Marathon

[Tom Azlin, N4ZPT]

Thanks again Frank.

I understand that Sandy is working on the Van and the frame for the top
of the mast to lighten it and to add secondary rotators.  And that
Maitland has the ID-1/computer well in hand.  And that Iain is working
the packet radio part of supporting an AID Stations.

Next challenge...   Even with the pneumatic mast, Helias, and the high
gain Yagi I am not sure there is a good path between the gateway at the
Iwo Jima Memorial and the location of the antennas above AID 2/3.

Icom America said they will loan us more ID-1s if we can use them.
Maitland and the rest of us with the ID-1s have learned how to be a two
way digital repeater with two ID-1s back to back.  We are getting some
antennas as a donation.   Could AMRAD ( perhaps along with the MD/DC
ARES folks) look into finding a temporary location to put this relay?  I
can run some path profiles tomorrow after we finish on-course path
testing to the other AID stations.

Thanks and 73, Tom n4zpt

Frank Gentges wrote:
> Tom,
> 
> AMRAD should be able to bring out the van for the MCM.
> We did some limited testing with 802.11b at 2.4 GHz and directional
> antennas for an emergency exercise this summer with the Loudoun County
> EC.  Some success but one link failed to come up.  We might want to do
> further testing on this again to see if we can have it up for the MCM. 
> We will need to get some folks together for more testing and work to
> make the link setup more predictable.  I have marked down the MCM in my
> calendar so we need to figure out just what the AMRAD group will be
> doing and testing.
> 
> I really want to make this 802.11b directional link work reliably but I
> don't think it is ready enough to use without a reliable back up.  There
> are still too many unknowns.
> 
> Frank K0BRA
> 
> Tom Azlin, N4ZPT wrote:
>> Hi.
>>
>> Does AMRAD want to support the Marine Corps Marathon like last year?
>> We are trying to get not only 9600 bps actually working this year, but
>> to also deploy the Icom ID-1 1.2 GHz radios to test out 128kps on the
>> course.   Not sure if the ID-1s would work if AMRAD was for example at
>> AID 2/3 this year but seems worth a try.  If we have enough ID-1s we are
>> considering setting up bridges to handle AID 8/9 and also perhaps AID
>> 2/3.   I have a possible volunteer to solve the AID 8/9 path problem and
>> the team to put there.  I think I have a line on a person who can
>> possibly solve the path to AID 2/3 and if so would want to match him up
>> with AMRAD.  If that person is not able to help, then the question would
>> be are there good reflection paths at 1.2 GHz that would connect between
>> the hill at Iwo and AID 2/3
>>
>> Several of us plan to do testing in October the weekend of 14/15.  And I
>> plan to do testing either the Columbus Day weekend or when the frequency
>> coordination team does their verification.
>>
>> BTW, we also had a discussion on Saturday  on the use of 802.11 as links
>> as an alternative to the $6k 10GHz Icom links
>>
>> I know that Maitland has Howard's ID-1 so might be all set for
>> 1200/9600/12800 and voice for the marathon.  If you are interested,
>> please go sign up individually at www.ncacdc.com
>>
>> Below is the note that the MCM assignments coordinator has been sending
>> out...
>>
>> 73, Tom Azlin n4zpt
>>
>> ---------  volunteer request ------------
>> All:
>>
>> The Marine Corps Marathon (October 29th) is
>> THE biggest and most public of public service
>> events we as amateur radio operators due each
>> year.  More then a public service event which
>> showcases amateur radio, we provide a key
>> function for the race.  Without your help we
>> would not be able to provide the runners with
>> a critical safety net.   The time to provide
>> first aid can mean the difference between
>> life and death.,  The Marine Corps is also
>> aware that we provide a security function
>> with needed eyes on the course.
>>
>> Please consider volunteering and supporting
>> the marathon again this year.  If you can
>> help out,  please sign up at WWW.NCACDC.COM
>>
>> Before you volunteer please consider the
>> following:
>>
>> If you volunteer to be on a section of the
>> course on Rt 110 in Virginia, there will be
>> special security considerations that will
>> require you to arrive and be in place very
>> early in the morning.  For those on that part
>> of the course, we will arrange to get you
>> your race packet early so you may proceed
>> directly to your assignment.
>>
>> Those who volunteer for work at IWO,  RT-110
>> (VA part of the course above Crystal City),
>> Net Control Stations, and Check-In will need
>> to be on site early.  I will send out more
>> details as the security timeline is
>> developed.
>>
>> PLEASE tell me what assignment you prefer, I
>> will make every effort to make that
>> assignment.  Assignments will be first come
>> first serve, the gear you have will also have
>> to match the assignment requirement.  If you
>> must leave early, let me know so I can make
>> the assignment one that is on the part of the
>> course that completes so you can leave when
>> you need to.
>>
>> Those on the first few miles of the course
>> that overlap the finish of the course are
>> asked to stay until the end of the race to
>> provide additional coverage of those last few
>> miles.
>>
>> Lastly, for the last several years, we have
>> had great weather and as a result very few
>> patients, but this could change.  Unlike most
>> amateur radio activities,  the less traffic
>> you have the better things are going for the
>> runners.
>>
>> Thanks again for reading this and for your
>> participation in this very important public
>> service event.  If you have any questions
>> please contact me either at home
>> (703)317-9305 or via e-mail at RRBunn at cox.net
>> .
>>
>>
>> 73
>> Rick Bunn / N4ASX
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tacos mailing list
>> Tacos at amrad.org
>> http://www.amrad.org/mailman/listinfo/tacos
>>
>>   
> 

-- 
Tom Azlin n4zpt
(703) 255-0711 home
(571) 280-8403 work
(703) 967-0304 cell