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We Need Amateur Radio Operators to Help

Sumter County ARES will again be coordinating amateur radio support for this year's event, which is scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2024.  For more information about this event, click here or on the Bicycle Challenge logo above.  The event headquarters, as well as the ARES Communications Command Post will be located at the La Hacienda Regional Recreation Center near the Spanish Springs Town Square in The Villages, (1200 Avenida Central, Lady Lake, FL).  

 

This event consists of 5 different routes: 100-Mile, 64-Mile, 32-Mile, 20-Mile, and 10-Mile.  Click here and select the routes you want to view.


We are seeking assistance from licensed amateur radio operators who would like to volunteer their time for this worthy cause. Below are descriptions of the various assignments which need to be staffed by amateur radio operators. 

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Assignments

  • Net Control Station (NCS)
    (2) amateur radio operators are needed for this stationary post.  One operator will perform NCS duties communicating with field assignments, while the second operator updates the APRS screen.  Relief will be provided as needed.

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  • Service Vehicle
    Service vehicles are positioned at designated locations with bicycle mechanic tools and parts to make on-scene bicycle repairs.  For this event, Service vehicle duties will be performed by commercial bicycle companies and bicycle club members.  Service vehicles will remain in contact with NCS to be dispatched as needed via cellular telephone or the Zello phone app.  For this year's event, amateur radio operators will not accompany the Service vehicles.  
     

  • SAG (Supply And Gear)
    At least (3) mobile amateur radio operators are needed for this assignment.  SAG Units will patrol their assigned route to provide limited assistance to riders.  A SAG Unit typically carries bottled water, paper towels, tire-pump, Vaseline and band-aids offered to the rider, (not administered or performed by the Service Vehicle Operator).  Because Service Vehicles may need to transport a rider and his or her bicycle, a pickup truck, van, or other vehicle with a bicycle rack is needed.  Any transportation is typically to the closest rest stop, Service Vehicle location or finish line.  

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  • Sweep Vehicle
    (4) mobile amateur radio operators are needed for this assignment, one for each route.  This unit patrols his or her assigned route to report any incidents to NCS.  This unit must closely monitor the last rider and periodically report that rider's location to NCS.  

 

  • Rest Stops
    (5) amateur radio operators are needed to staff designated rest stops.  One operator will be needed at each of the below listed rest stop locations.  Operators will provide communications between the rest stop and NCS. 

    Stop A: El Santiago, (2373 Enrique Dr, The Villages, FL)
    Stop B: Bacall Recreation Center, (2041 Canal St, The Villages, FL)
    Stop C: Manatee Recreation Center, (1512 Hillsborough Trail, The Villages, FL)
    Stop D: Spanish Moss Recreation Center, (3225 Spanish Moss Way, Wildwood, FL)
    Stop E: Webster Community Center, (49 SE 1st St, Webster, FL)

Pre-Event Briefing

There will be a pre-event briefing at the Sumter County Emergency Operations Center, located at 7361 Powell Rd., Wildwood, FL beginning at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, October 30th, 2024.

At this briefing we will explain the responsibilities of each volunteer and to answer any questions they might have.  At the briefing each volunteer will receive a packet that contains all the information he or she will need for the event.  Each volunteer will be issued a high-visibility Sumter County ARES vest which will need to be returned when you have completed your assignment.  If you are unable to attend, please contact the ARES Operations Section Chief, Jeff Taffuri, KO4NCC, jtaffuri@gmail.com, or Mark Newby, KX4LEO, at 352-444-2216 Ext.3 for alternative arrangements.

What to Bring

  • Mobile Amateur Radio 
    If you are assigned to a SAG or Sweep Vehicle, you should bring a VHF mobile radio that can connect to the vehicle's DC power system, and an externally mounted antenna.  Although not required, a dual band VHF/UHF mobile radio with cross-band repeat capabilities is useful if you would like to have the ability to use your HT outside of your vehicle.

    If you are assigned to one of the rest stops, you should also bring your VHF mobile radio that is connected to your vehicle's DC power system, and an externally mounted antenna.  A dual band VHF/UHF mobile radio with cross-band repeat capabilities is particularly useful at the rest stops to allow you to move around freely outside of your vehicle.  For those who have a Go-Kit, be sure to bring a DC power source for the radio, an antenna and coax.  I have found that a metal pizza pan or metal burn barrel lid provides sufficient ground plane for a mag-mount antenna.  You will need to bring your own table to put your equipment on.  You may also want to consider bringing a chair, and an umbrella to shield you from the sun. 

    A typical mobile setup on medium power should have no problem reaching the repeater located in Sumterville, Florida.  Do not rely on an HT solely even if it is connected to an external antenna.  If you intend to use an HT for cross-band abilities, bring a spare battery. 

    Your radio should already have the following repeaters and frequencies programmed in analog mode:

    K4HOG Repeater,  147.030 MHz (Standard + Offset), PL TX Tone 123.0 Hz, RX Tone 123.0 Hz
    KS4EOC Repeater, 146.925 MHz (Standard  - Offset), PL TX Tone 123.0 Hz, RX Tone 123.0 Hz
    Simplex Frequency:  147.585 MHz will also be monitored by NCS at the command post.
    Webster Repeater: KX4LEO,  147.360 MHz (Standard + Offset), PL TX Tone 97.4 Hz, RX Tone 97.4 Hz​

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  • Cellular Telephone with APRS Application 
    We will be using APRS to view the location of our units on a large-screen television at the command post.  Your position using APRS can be transmitted in either two ways: (a) By using an APRS capable mobile radio that will transmit APRS information on the national APRS frequency of 144.390 Mhz; or (b) By using an APRS app on your Android or IPhone smart phone or tablet.  The preferred method is to use an APRS app on your smart phone or the APRSIS32 application on your internet connected laptop. If you choose to use the APRS app, it is recommended that you bring your phone's charger and cord because the continuous use of the APRS app will typically drain a battery quickly.  Sumter County ARES member, Gil Chapin, WB2UTI, will be coordinating the APRS use.  If you are assigned a mobile assignment, Mr. Chapin will be in contact with you to help ensure your APRS is configured properly. 
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  • Food and Drink
    Although the event will provide food and drink for our volunteers at El Hacienda and at the rest stops, it is suggested that you bring your own non-alcoholic beverage, snacks and cooler.

 

  • Clothing
    Because we cannot predict the weather, wear clothing that is comfortable for the weather conditions forecasted for the day.  For safety and to easily identify you as official event staff, those volunteers working a field assignment will be issued an ARES high-visibility Amateur Radio Emergency Communications vest.

Communications Plan

  • Tactical Call Signs

    Use the tactical call designated for your assignment, i.e. SAG-2, Stop-Bravo, Sweep-3.  Remember to speak slowly and clearly , and keep your message brief.  When calling Net Control the typical exchange will be:

    YOU:  "Control, Stop-Alpha"  
    NCS:  "Stop-Alpha"
    YOU:  Proceed with message.
    YOU:  When finished, "Your FCC Call sign, CLEAR"
     

  • Communications Plan-A

    The primary repeater will be the K4HOG Repeater located in Sumtervile, Florida, on frequency 147.030 MHz (Standard + Offset), PL TX Tone 123.0 Hz, RX Tone 123.0 Hz.   A typical mobile setup on medium power with an external antenna should have no problem reaching this repeater from anywhere on any of the routes.   All operators should remain on this repeater unless instructed to change to another frequency.  An HT should only be used if you are in close proximity to this primary repeater with full-quieting or you are using the HT in cross-band mode to the repeater.   If you are unable to reach this repeater or the repeater fails, revert to Communications Plan-B described below.

    NCS will also monitor simplex frequency 147.585 MHz for anyone who must use an HT in and around the command post.

 

  • Communications Plan-B

    The backup repeaters will be the KS4EOC repeater located in Sumterville, Florida on frequency 146.925 MHz, (Standard - offset with an access tone of 123.0 Hz).  This repeater has similar range as the K4HOG repeater.

Sign Up to Volunteer

If you would like to sign up for any of these functions, click on the SignUp logo below.  Once you have signed up, a member of Sumter County ARES will contact you to discuss the assignment and to answer any questions you might have.  Please note that actual assignment times may vary slightly from the times listed for the event.

To sign up, click on the SignUp logo >

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