"It's just around the Bend."
Famous words for any packer or runner.
Well in this case I am talking about the 2014 DRTE 100 (Dirt Road Trail
Endurance) Ultra Race. This is the 4th annual Race. This year it is a 100
mile and 100k Race.
http://drte100.com/
The event is coming up again at the end of May. This time it is a weekend
only event- starting at 0500 on Saturday, May 31st and ending at 1700 on
Sunday, June 1st. They will also be a 10k, 25k and 50k on Saturday. We are
not required to be there on Friday, but you can come out and set up or camp
out if you wish. The course is different this year as it is using much more
off road trails and aid stations. Most of the aid stations can be driven up
to except Camuesa Connector, Doulton Tunnel, and El Manatial.
This is an event that is made for us HAM operators to shine. There is
little to no cell phone access and because of that, the race relies on us so
much that they advertise our importance on the front page of their web site.
Below is the second paragraph under "ABOUT", which I have highlighted and
pasted:
The DRTE 100 starts and finishes at
<https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=utf-8&gl=us&hq=upper+oso+campsite&hnear=0x8
0e914c76f2d83d5:0xc8d13a64d7ba7648,Santa+Barbara,+CA&daddr=3505+Paradise+Roa
d,+Santa+Barbara,+CA+93105&panel=1&f=d&fb=1&geocode=FdNLDwIdCW_c-CkpxB11xmnp
gDE2NGunFEE2rA&cid=12409177380229952566/> Upper Oso Campgrounds located in
the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area. Hosted on a well-marked and simple to
navigate out and back route comprised of dirt roads, trails and intermittent
sections of paved road, the route is comprised of 9 sections that vary
between 3.81 and 8.26 miles in length. The each of the 9 sections is staged
with a well provisioned and staffed aid stations replete with HAM
communications to support entrants, pacers and staff. For crew and guests
there is an easy to use route comprised of 3 paved forest roads that can be
utilized to see and cheer your runner at as many 10 locations. The DRTE 100
is hosted entirely within the Santa Barbara Ranger District, Los Padres
National Forest.
No other event depends on us as much as this one does. Under General
Amenities we are the first amenity listed:
(I underlined it):
GENERAL AMENITIES INCLUDE (BUT NOT LIMITED TO):
. HAM Operators
. Crew of 4 - 6
. Electrical generator (limited locations)
. Tables
. Chairs
. Shade Canopies
. Ice and ice coolers
. Expanded First Aid Kit
. Expanded Foot Care Kit
. Sleeping cots and blankets
. Porta Pottie (limited locations)
This event has always been fun for those operators who have participated.
This year I would like to be able to say we can cover all aid stations
without overtaxing any one individual. We will be using the Rover and its
repeater at the top of East Camino Cielo as we did last year. That had good
reach from the far end of the course to the start.
I need anyone who has time available Saturday and/or Sunday so we can start
to set up schedules. Please get back to me if you can participate for any or
all of this fun event. You can name your hours. Let me know if you have a
preference in locations as well. Here is a list of the aid stations:
73's
Rick Whitaker
Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club.
KG6VLB
rickwhtr(a)cox.net
Cell: (805) 451-3436 please leave a message- I have no reception at work.
I have retrieved the transmitter from its second hiding spot.
There were eight callsigns in the log, double last time. Well done!
In alpha suffix order:
W6CGE - Les
N6CPN - Chuck
HE6HTS - Marvin
K9KBX - Dave
AG6LJ - John
WB6OBB - Dennis
K6WWO - Bill
K6YVJ - Jordan
And one noted "AS" found with no equipment, probably a local hiker out
for a walk.
The transmitter was hidden in the open space east of the "Bridge to
Nowhere" over Highway 154.
http://www.west.net/~jay/images/T2.png
Look (and listen) for it to be relocated soon.
--
--
Jay Hennigan - CCIE #7880 - Network Engineering - jay(a)impulse.net
Impulse Internet Service - http://www.impulse.net/
Your local telephone and internet company - 805 884-6323 - WB6RDV
Folks:
The recent email outreach for grounds maintenance assistance at the
Mesa site did not mature. Regrettably only one candidate offered
assistance but felt he did not wish to head up a team for on-going
maintenance. Lacking a volunteer initiative we have a couple of other
alternatives. Either pay someone within the amateur group to head up
the grounds maintenance or use outside contract services. This past
year the Club paid $200 to an outside gardener with truck & crew for
a one time yard clean up. Typically the yard requires 3-4 clean up
periods a year depending on rain etc.. Without volunteers the Board
may have to consider funding the yard maintenance. Meanwhile the hunt
for a volunteer team will continue.
Background:
Presently the major portion of the hill top grounds maintenance is
covered by an outside contractor who is paid by the City Water
Department. This service is not contracted to cover the fenced in
portion used by the Public Works Department which surrounds the City
radio building, AT&T, and SBARC. The Club is hosted at the Mesa site
by the City at no cost. Prime power is paid for by AT&T who also fuel
and maintain the standby diesel generator at no cost to SBARC.
Fun reading, some broadcast stuff, hobby publications, manufacturers'
data, etc. from the VERY early days on.
http://www.americanradiohistory.com/
--
--
Jay Hennigan - CCIE #7880 - Network Engineering - jay(a)impulse.net
Impulse Internet Service - http://www.impulse.net/
Your local telephone and internet company - 805 884-6323 - WB6RDV
AN APPEAL TO THE USERS OF SBARC SYSTEMS
By: Bill Talanian, <w1uuq(a)sbarc.org>
SBARC Telecommunications Services maintains five major locations
consisting of various repeaters, digital and remote systems. The most
popular system is the 146.79 repeater at our Mesa site. It is also
the only location requiring routine grounds maintenance to keep the
vegetation from totally taking over. Over the years we have managed
to get by with the technical support people keeping the grass cut
back. It is time to rethink and formalize a more organized plan to
maintain the 1500 sq ft zone at the site. A three to four person team
would be ideal on a quarterly basis in performing the yard
maintenance. Ensuring the vegetation is cut back will minimize the
fire danger to the public safety systems and is our responsibility.
Ideally a small team organized independently to oversee the site
would be best as opposed to chasing around looking for people to
help. If you would like to head up the a team then get in touch so we
can put you and your team on the restricted access list. A walk-thru
can be arranged.
****************
Schabarum Regional Park will be the site of the next southern California
on-foot transmitter hunting session on Saturday, April 19, 2014. If you
are a beginner, there will be entry-level two-meter fox transmitters set
by Joe Moell K0OV. For more experienced radio-orienteers, there will be
a 5-fox two-meter international-rules course of moderate difficulty, set
by Marvin Johnston KE6HTS. One or more optional 80-meter fox
transmitters may also be on the air.
If you have them, bring a handi-talkie, receiver, or scanner covering
the two-meter band for each person who will be going ARDFing. If you
have directional antennas, attenuators, or other on-foot RDF equipment,
be sure to bring that too. Make sure that all batteries are fresh. For
those with no radio gear, some extra ARDF receiver/antenna sets will be
available.
Note: be sure you can program frequencies into your radio!
If there is sufficient interest, Marvin Johnston KE6HTS will conduct a
clinic for building kits for measuring-tape yagis and for 90 dB
offset-type attenuators. An assembled/tested attenuator in a special
housing that goes inside the boom of the yagi is also available. If you
wish to build kits at this workshop, you must register in advance by
sending e-mail to marvin(a)west.net, so he will have the kits reserved in
your name waiting for you. It takes about an hour to put the kits
together with tools and soldering irons that will be provided. If
you're not an electronic technician, don't worry because there will be
experts to help you.
All transmitter hunting begins at 10 AM. The starting point for the
advanced course will be a different part of the park, so if you plan to
take on that course, please arrive at the gathering area before 10 AM so
we can transport that group to the starting point and do starts at
five-minute intervals. Beginners will start from the gathering area and
will not need to be transported. If there is an antenna/attenuator
clinic, it will start at 11 AM and there will still be time to hunt the
beginner transmitters after that. Courses will close at 3 PM.
For the advanced 2-meter course, orienteering flags and electronic
scoring will be used at each transmitter. If you have an "e-stick," be
sure to bring it. A few sticks will be available for loan. Be sure to
bring anything you'll need while going after those radio foxes, such as
munchies, bottled water and sunscreen. For map plotting, bring your own
compass, protractor and pencil. Trails are primitive in some areas of
the park, so wear sturdy shoes. All ages are welcome, but young
children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Schabarum Regional Park is on the south side of Colima Road, just east
of Azusa Avenue in Hacienda Heights. (Thomas Guide 678-G4) A map for
navigation is at www.homingin.com. There is a vehicular entry fee for
the park, so carpooling would be a good idea. Upon passing through the
entry gate, drive south (straight ahead, don't turn right) and continue
to the end of the road (about 0.7 mile). Park in the last parking lot
near the restrooms. Look for the orange and white orienteering flags
and signs. Call K0OV on 146.52 simplex if you have trouble finding the
gathering area within the park.
73,
Joe Moell K0OV
