The Turning Point for a HAM operator By Paul Cronshaw KF6TRT
When Jug (wa6mbz) called me several month's ago to see if I would volunteer for the Santa Barbara Triathlon, I thought he meant that he wanted me to participate in the race. Thank goodness he meant providing HAM communications during the race. I could race to my spot and remain stationary, the only exercise would be walking around my truck with an HT. :)
As the race day drew closer, Jug sent out a great email with the instructions and operator assignments. There were many veterans on the list so I didn't mind being on the backup list. I figured I would be placed where needed. As I read through the list I was amazed that 40 HAM operators had volunteered for this event. What a great team!
Jim Henry(AJ6IM) called me the night before the race and asked me to take his place at Station 5 on Cliff and Los Positas, one of the critical turning points for runners. As it turns out Jim's wife was participating in the Triathlon and he decided it would be more appropriate for him to be at the finish line that at Station 5. I could not agree more and so said yes to my new position.
Today was race day. I got up early and drove over to the site but did not see anyone. A quick call to Jug gave me an answer to look for the 2 cones with signs: "Watch for Runners" and " Turn Around Point". I set the cones up and waited for the action to start.
Listening to my HT, it was great to hear all the check-ins. Names, call signs and locations quickly became familiar. I was thankful that I had a copy of Jug's assignment list and a map from the Triathlon web site to help me learn the locations. Many operators used their site location (eg B1, B2, W1, W2) as the code for their location. It wasn't too long before Jack (WA6DQK), net controller, had the net going in a good rhythm.
Word came through that the first wave of swimmers were in the water at 7 AM (brrrr) Then we began to track the first 3 male and female bicyclists. 427 became the lead rider and remained in this position throughout the race.
Paul (W6VLM), accompanying one of the race directors, made a stop with the yellow Rider truck to make sure that I was ready for the wave of runners. Sure enough runner 427 was sighted and made the turn around my cone. "Good job, you're on the home stretch", I yelled. He smiled, turned and was off on the home stretch. So began my encouraging remarks to all the other runners. Many were definitely tired, their facial and body features showed the strain. The majority were in great spirits, and were quick to make comments about this station - the turning point. This was a turning point for them, the final lap.
Between 9 and 11 AM the TZ airwaves saw a lot of action. Several emergencies were handled efficiently, messages were passed back and forth from net to the race directors, and everyone had an idea of how the race was progressing. Try and do all this with a cell phone! :) It was great to have three net controllers. DQK passed the net control to Harry (K6PDQ) who then passed it to 'Lou" (N6ZKJ).
After 11 AM, the number of runners dropped off considerably. The race was winding down and soon we were tracking the last runner, number 502. I sat back in the shade to read a book and listen to my HT with an earphone. I was waiting for George (K6HOZ) to clue me in when this last runner was going by his station (W5). Time went by. Suddenly, I looked up from my book and there she was making that final turn. Time for me to secure my site. I took down my cones and drove back to the SBARC van to turn them back in.
What a day! This was my second race to be a HAM operator volunteer. It was a great experience and educational. I look forward to the next one, the MS event, one that I participated in last year.
My hat goes off to Jug for organizing the HAM operators on this event. I know the Triathlon race directors could not have been as effective without our help. I watched the coverage on the KEYT 6:00 news, but there was no mention of the volunteer HAM operators. Perhaps someone should contact Debbie Davidson (one of the participants) to give her a behind the scenes education.
Finally, thanks to all the HAM operators who gave up a Saturday morning to volunteer for this event, spend time getting a sun tan and talking on 2 meters. What else is there to do in Paradise???
We'll be back for the 21st Triathlon event.