Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club  

Club members participating at the site were: Alan, AAØAS; Paula, WØHA; Art NØTNJ; Fritz, WØKO; Jim, WØIRE; Charlie, W5CCL; Skee, KCØDCY; Jim, WØJDS; Darrold, AAØVP; and, George, KCØBH. Helping with most valuable weather information during the late afternoon and evening from their home QTH's were: Mark, WØMH; Fritz, WØKO; John, KØJO; and, Jim WØIRE. The appropriate and timely weather information allowed the organizers to delay the opening festivities by 20-minutes until some showers passed rather than having them interrupted and people scurrying for shelter and needing to return.  It also allowed organizers to know that there was no threat of lightning in the showers that occurred based on weather bureau information operators retrieved.

Radio communications were VHF simplex with a 15-watt station located in the press box operated by seasoned net control operator George, KCØBH, and backed-up in the late hours by 'up and coming' Charles, W5CCL, who kept things well organized.

There were enough other operators, using portables, that each could stay as long as they wanted to and duties at the campers gate, "shadowing" event officials, and "watching" the registration/concession areas could be swapped for some variety.

One special feature this year was that club public service event co-coordinator, John, WØJGY's XYL, Terri Monroe, was the honorary chairperson. The Relay For Life organizers recognized her for her many contributions in the healthcare field, work over many years in the event, and for being a 9-year cancer survivor still actively receiving chemo-therapy.  She gave an inspiring talk about being optimistic, using support systems, and keeping a strong faith, before the initial lap of the 12-hour event.