It's that
exciting time of year when many ham radio operators from the Mt.
Diablo Amateur Radio Club become involved in doing radio team communications
for various Public Service events that occur nearby. The events include
long distance bike rides, bike races, horse trail rides, running races,
walkathons, a March for Babies, Alcatraz swims, a half marathon, a
triathlon, and the Pleasant Hill
4th of July parade.
The locations include beautiful scenic areas such as nearby Regional and Wilderness Areas, Mt.Diablo State Park, municipal trails and parks, and the stunning San Francisco Waterfront
and Bay. Some of the agencies and causes that we help are: Children's Hospital of Oakland,
the MS Society, the March of Dimes, the American Lung Association, Meals
on Wheels, and Save Mt. Diablo.
Contact the MDARC Public Service Coordinator, Pete Harris - KE6ZIW, to sign up for events.
Call 925.228.4503 or email Pete at
.
MS Walk April 14 - Heather Farm Park,
Walnut Creek Radio Coordinator:
Eoin O'Donoghue, KK6Q
Alcatraz Challenge Aquathton Swim #1 June 30 - San Francisco Bay and waterfront -Cancelled-
Diablo Trails Challenge - Running for Save Mt. Diablo
April 20 - Castle Rock, Mt. Diablo, Morgan Territory, Round Valley Radio Coordinator: John Stuart,
KM6QX
4th of July Parade July 4 - Downtown Pleasant
Hill Radio Coordinator: Pete Harris, KE6ZIW
March of Dimes March for
Babies Walkathon
April 27 - San Ramon Iron Horse Trail Radio
Coordinator: Jeff Nelson, KG6VMY
Alcatraz Challenge Aquathton Swim #2 August 11 - San Francisco Bay and waterfront -Cancelled-
Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride May 4 - Mt. Diablo
Radio Coordinator: John Stuart, KM6QX
Mt.
Diablo Challenge Bike Ride October 6 - for Save Mt.
Diablo Radio Coordinator: John
Stuart, KM6QX
Devil Mountain Run May 5 - Danville and Las Trampas Hill
Radio Coordinator: Chris Quirk, W6CJQ
Wheels for Meals Bike Ride October 19 - for Meals on Wheels, East Bay Hills
Radio Coordinator: Chris Quirk, W6CJQ
Berkeley Hills Road Race May 12 (Mother's Day) - Bike race in the
East Bay hills Radio
Coordinator: Mark Walsh, KM6XU
Diablo Trail Adventure Run November 3 - for Save Mt. Diablo
Radio Coordinator: John Stuart, KM6QX
Support Mt. Diablo State Park in hosting the completion
of Stage 7 of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California
May 18 - Bicycle race to summit of Mt. Diablo Radio
Coordinator: John Stuart, KM6QX
Alcatraz Challenge Swim May 27 (Memorial Day Monday) - S.F. Bay &
Waterfront Radio Coordinator: Barry Bettman
Contact Barry directly for this event at
.
Participating in these events is a
thrilling experience for many different reasons. These include:
The magic of radio transmissions
The camaraderie of being part of a radio team that helps to ensure safety for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of event participants
The chance to do something meaningful for a good cause
The fun and satisfaction of using your radio equipment and opportunity to learn
its various capabilities in real-life situations
The beautiful places and settings that you get to enjoy
Radio operators are assigned to check points, or to support (SAG) vehicles, or are on bikes, or sometimes in boats. Radio communications in some of these areas can be a challenge, but very gratifying and a whole lot of fun! For most events all you need is a 2 meter hand-held radio with an extra battery. When you participate, consider bringing a family member or friend to show them the excitement of the ham radio hobby.
This is
a fun way to get out and use your radio, help a worthwhile cause and gain
valuable experience that will come in handy in the event of a major
emergency or disaster. It's also great PR for the club and amateur radio
in general.
Contact the MDARC Public Service Coordinator, Pete Harris -
KE6ZIW, to sign up for events. Call 925.228.4503 or email Pete at
.
