Marine Corps Marathon

Mon Oct 9 16:24:34 CDT 2006

Guys,

A suggestion from afar....

Someone with linux running and a DSL connection needs to load up
"Splat" by John A. Magliacane, KD2BD which can be found at

http://www.qsl.net/kd2bd/splat.html

That program well tell you what you need for towers to get LoS
paths between antennas.

Personally (as a former member of PG ARES and RACES) I would put
the van on the highest point of ground and make it the master
relay site.

73
Dave
KB3EFS
FN24bi

Frank Gentges wrote:
> Tom,
> 
> Perhaps we should consider putting the van and its tall mast at the 
> relay point and put some lesser vehicle at AID 2/3.  I can't visualize 
> the path geometries well enough right now to know.
> 
> See what options you can come up with.  I need to be able to visualize 
> the problem and solution better.  AMRAD should be able to set up another 
> site one way or another once we define what is needed.
> 
> Frank
> 
> 
> 
> Tom Azlin, N4ZPT wrote:
> 
>> 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
>>>>
>>>>         
>>
>>
>>   
> 
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