Recent Activity

Grindstone 100 Oct 3-5 2008 ( part of the Valley Triple Play)
Imagine running — on foot — for 100 miles!
Now imagine running on foot for 100 miles for a day
and a half, without stopping to sleep!
Okay, now imagine running 100 miles without any
sleep, up and down wilderness mountain trails! A total
of over 23,000 feet of elevation change!
Yes, that’s over four miles of vertical elevation change!
Of the 78 or so runners who started out from the
Swoope Boy Scout camp, embarking on the grueling
route Friday night 63 of them actually did the entire
course and had finished by Sunday morning.
A dozen or more runners dropped out, including one
who got so disoriented in the mountains in the dark he
had to be found and rescued.
Hams were stationed at aid stations every 10 miles or
so, as well as the starting point and near the turnaround
point. We were called upon almost continuously
to relay messages about runners dropping out,
the location of the first and last runners, the location
of individual runners, the need for replenishment supplies,
and so forth. Net Control was kept busy almost
continuously.
Most importantly, we learned quite a bit about operating
in the mountains west of the valley.
For example, David KD9LA learned that a beam antenna
can be used to reduce electrical noise that happens
to be coming from a power line which is in direct
line-of-sight to Net Control by pointing the beam away
from Net Control (thus away from the noise source)
and picking up Net Control’s signal bounced off of another
mountain. Several stations used cross-band repeat
radios to communicate with Net Control from locations
where the direct signal could not go.
Most importantly, we all had fun. Thanks to Bryan
K4RMY and Jeff W4PJW for putting in a 36-hour shift
as Net Control on Reddish Knob, and thanks to all the
hams who participated and gave their time, Friday
night, Saturday, Saturday night, and Sunday!
By Dave KD9LA

Bridgewater Lawn Party Parades July 18-19, 2008


On two rather warm evenings Rockingham County ARES and MARA/VARA club

members assisted during the annual Bridgewater Lawn Party parades. The

Fireman's parade was Friday July 18th from around 7:00pm until about

8:15pm. On Saturday, July 19th the tractor and old car parade was held

from about 6:00pm to 7:30pm . During these times hams from Rockingham

and Augusta county assisted the flow of detour traffic around the parade

route, gave directions and assistance to those needing it. This is a

yearly event that is very import to area repeaters because  donations

are made by the town of Bridgewater to the various repeaters

organizations. This year we had a larger than usual number of hams

assisting each night.

Below is a list of those who helped:


Friday:

Gordon WA4FJC, Richard KC3AN, Steve KF4ZWK


Saturday:

EC KG4KUR, Rob KF4ZXO


both nights:

Sheryl KJ4DOC , Ray K4NRA ,Nancy KG5JAZ, Robert KG4CHL, Gayle KU4XN, Gerry K4RBZ, Bryan K4RMY, Gerald KN4FM


Our thanks to all those who helped in this public service activity.


March of Dimes Walk April 19, 2008

On Saturday, April 19th several MARA/ARES members assisted with the March of Dimes Walk in Harrisonburg. This walk lasted from approximately 0900 to 1200. The weather for the walk was excellent. It was a nearly perfect spring day in the valley.

Acting as Net Control Station was Bob N1QEQ who was also the contact person for MARA/ARES with the March of Dimes. Additional operators located at various points around the walk were Paul W4PFM, Gerald KN4FM and Bryan K4RMY. During this event the 145.130 repeater was used, due to maintenance on the 147.225.

The walk went very smoothly again this year. There were no emergencies unless you include running out of pizza at lunch and having to eat hot dogs an emergency ;-)

I think all participants and hams had a very enjoyable and beautiful spring morning in Harrisonburg.



Contact information: k4rmy@rockingham-ares.org