Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club  

Photos by Al WØRC

The net control was in the BAARC communications trailer located at the Pequot Public High School parking lot, which was the start and finish for the ride.  The chief 'voice' operator again this year was George KCØBH assisted by Club President Al WØRC who managed the club's first venture into digital APRS activity, which Al ran with Alan AAØAS, Lyle KØLR, Kathie KØTHY, and Shirley KCØDCW.  These hams 'shadowed' the SAG wagon repair vans that provide cyclists with much needed parts, adjustments, and air, during the 9-hour-day.

Al said the APRS "'first time out" was most useful in providing automatic updates of location along the 36-mile and 65-mile courses and as a shake down of APRS operations. The only difficulties seemed to occur from weak signals due to a last minute need to operate from a simplex base station with only a 40-foot high antenna above ground.  All-and-all Al said he was very happy with the way APRS assisted in getting the closest unit dispatched to the location with the need.

Other operators who helped out through a cold down pour of rain in the morning into a hot and humid afternoon were Steve WØTNT, Joe NØUME, Cris KCØNGK, Jack WØJEM, John W3MQD, Curt NØCRM, Bob KGØZK, Jim WØJDS, Jim KBØTXT, Sharon KBØSQX, Terry KIØFW, Roger WØWUG, and a guest ham from Duluth, Dave NØQDD. John WØJGY, with a lot of help from many other club members, coordinated the event.  He said, "the club's abilities to respond with needed and timely radio communications was put to the test today with much message handling under some very trying conditions brought on by weather conditions, severe at times, and a concern on the part of all hams for the safety of everyone."

A big thank you was received from the sponsor-coordinator Sharon Bodie on behalf of her 17 co-workers and many more volunteers, to the BAARC. Thanks guys!