Public Service Events
(Be sure to check back for updates
and additions)
and additions)
Beginning in early spring each year and continuing into early winter many ham radio operators from the Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club become involved in doing radio team communications to support various public service events that occur nearby. The events include long distance bike rides, bike races, running races, walkathons, a March for Babies, a half marathon, a Mt Diablo Trail Ride, and local city parades.
The locations include beautiful scenic areas such as nearby regional and wilderness areas, Mt. Diablo State Park, and municipal trails and parks. Some of the agencies and causes that we have helped are: Children's Hospital of Oakland, the MS Society, the March of Dimes, and Save Mt. Diablo.
Clubs that also organize events and we share operators with include:
Livermore Amateur Radio Klub (LARK) livermoreark.org
Oakland Radio Communications Association (ORCA)
ww6or.org/public-service
San Francisco Radio Club (SFRC) sfarc.org
Marin Amateur Radio Society (MARS)
w6sg.net/public-service
Stockton-Delta Amateur Radio Club (SDARC) w6sf.org
Contact the MDARC Public Service Coordinator, Larry Loomer, KI6LNB to sign up for events.
Email laryloomer@yahoo.com
Public Service Events 2025
MARS - Miwok 100k
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Running race in Marin
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
SDARC - Delta Century Ride
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Bike Ride in Lodi
Radio Coordinator: <w6sf.147165@gmail.com>
https://stocktonbikeclub.org/deltacentury/
LARK - Devil Mountain Double Run
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Running race in Danville
Radio Coordinator: George Moorhead, KG6GEM <kg6wiu1@comcast.net>
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AEAD28A6FA7-devil1
MDARC - Hope Walk
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Walk at Heather Farms, WC, map
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
https://cancersupport.net/event/hope-walk/
SDARC - Linden Cherry Festival
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Festival in Linden
Radio Coordinator: <w6sf.147165@gmail.com>
LARK - Boy Scout Hike Berkeley Hills
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Scouts Hike 20 miles in Tilden Park
Radio Coordinator: Dave Shaw, WB6WTM <wb6wtm@arrl.net>
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AEAD28A6FA7-scouts
ORCA - Sequoia Bicycle Challenge
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Bicycle race in Los Altos Hills
Radio Coordination: signup
https://westernwheelersbicycleclub.wildapricot.org/Sequoia
MARS - Dipsea
Sunday, June 8, 2025
Running race in Marin
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
ALL - Field Day
Sat & Sun, June 28 & 29, 2025
Annual event, many locations
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 make things safer 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.
Public Service Events - 2025 Past
MARS - MCBC Jane Fondo - Bike Ride
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Bike ride in Marin County
See: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
https://marinbike.org/janefondo/
LARK - Race to the Flagpole - Running Race
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Running race from-to Independence Park in Livermore
Radio Coordinator: John Street, WB6ETY
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AEAD28A6FA7-race
SFRC - San Francisco Half Marathon - Running Race
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Running Race in San Francisco
Radio Coordinator: <antonis@aa6pp.org>
https://sanfranciscohalfmarathon.org/
LARK - Livermore Half Marathon - Running Race
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Running Race from-to Downtown Livermore
Radio Coordinator: George Moorhead, KG6GEM <kg6wiu1@comcast.net>
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AEAD28A6FA7-livermore
https://livermorevalleyhalf.com
ORCA - Oakland Marathon - Running Race
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Running Race in Downtown Oakland
Radio Coordinator: Mike Pompa, KB6MP <mpompa@gmail.com>
https://www.ww6or.com/oakland-marathon-signup
MDARC - MS Walk
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Walk at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
https://events.nationalmssociety.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=2216
MDARC - Diablo Trails Challenge - Running Race
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Running Race from Castle Rock Park, Walnut Creek
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
Brazen Racing https://brazenracing.com/diablotrailschallenge
LARK - Cinderella Bike Ride - in Livermore
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Ladies' Bike Ride around Livermore
Radio Coordinator: George Moorhead, KG6GEM <kg6wiu1@comcast.net>
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AEAD28A6FA7-cinderella1
ORCA - Sea Otter Classic - Laguna Seca Raceway
April 10-13, 2025
Festival in Salinas
Radio Coordination: https://sbcara.org/otter/
https://www.seaotterclassic.com/
MDARC - Primavera Ride - Rios Lovell Winery
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Bike Ride in Livermore Valley
See: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
Tony Flusche https://ffbc.org/primavera/
MDARC - Berkeley Hills Road Race
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Bike ride in the East Bay Hills
Radio Coordinator: Mark Walsh, KM6XU <mark@km6xu.com>
https://www.berkeleybike.org/?page_id=474
MARS - Ridge to Bridge Bike Ride
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Bike Ride in Marin County
See: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
https://ridgetrail.org/ridge-to-bridge/
LARK - Devil Mountain Double Century Bike Ride
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Bike Ride in San Jose
Radio Coordinator: John Street <WB6ETY@sbcglobal.net>
Public Service Events - 2024 Past
MDARC - Revel Half Marathon on Mt. Diablo - Running Race
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Running Race Down Mt Diablo
Radio Coordinator: <stevedono18@gmail.com>
MDARC - Lake Chabot Trail Challenge - Running Race
Sunday, June 2, 2024
Running race, 5k, and 1/2 Marathon in Castro Valley
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
Race Director: Rachel Lunt
https://www.castrovalleysportsfoundation.org/trail-challenge
LARK - 4th of July Race
Friday, July 4, 2025
Running race in Livermore
Radio Coordinator: George Moorehead, KG6GEM<kg6wiu1@comcast.net>
https://www.larpd.org/independence-day-dash-2025
MARS - MCBC Dirt Fondo
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Bicycle race in Marin
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
https://marinbike.org/event/2024-dirt-fondo
MARS - San Francisco Marathon
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Running race in San Francisco
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
MARS - Marin Century
Saturday, August 3, 2024
Bicycle race in Marin
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
LARK - Patterson Pass Road Race
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Bicycle race in Marin
Radio Coordinator: George Moorehead, KG6GEM<kg6wiu1@comcast.net>
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AEAD28A6FA7-patterson1
MDARC - Skyline 50k
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Running race in the Oakland Hills
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
Scena Performance <adam.ray@scenaperformance.com>
https://scenaperformance.com/events/skyline-50k
MDARC - Walnut Festival Twilight Parade -
Saturday, September 19, 2024 CANCELED
Parade in downtown Walnut Creek
Radio Coordinator: Pete Harris, KE6ZIW <pharris125@comcast.net>
Walnut Festival Person: Tami Lagamarcino
http://www.thewalnutfestival.org/
MARS - Double Dipsea
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Running race in Marin
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
https://brazenracing.com/doubledipsea
MDARC - Moonlight on the Mountain
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Fund Raising catered dinner at Mt. Diablo's China Wall in Alamo
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
https://savemountdiablo.org 925-947-3535
MARS - MCBC Revival
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Bicycle race in Marin County
Radio Coordinator: Don Magdanz
Marin County Bicycle Coalition https://www.marinbike.org/ https://www.adventurerevivalmarin.com
MARS - ZBC Dipsea Hike
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Hike in Marin County
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
https://www.zerobreastcancer.org/zbc-does/annual-dipsea-hike
MDARC - Firetrails 50M
Sunday, September 29, 2024
Running race in the Oakland Hills
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
Scena Performance <adam.ray@scenaperformance.com>
https://scenaperformance.com/events/dick-collins-firetrails
MDARC - Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Walk
Sunday, September 29, 2024
Walk From and To Civic Park, Walnut Creek, CA
Radio Coordinator: Lowell Richards, KA6LER <ler@lerichards.com>
https://www.walklikemadd.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=1563
MARS - Escape From Alcartaz
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Triathalon in Marin County
MDARC - Mount Diablo Challenge
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Bicycle race from Danville, CA
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
https://www.mountdiablochallenge.org
https://www.valleyspokesmen.org
ALL - Pacificon℠
Fri, Sat & Sun, Oct 18 - 20, 2024
ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, CA
https://www.pacificon.org/registration/volunteers
https://www.pacificon.org/finding-everything/talk-in
https://www.mdarc.org/activities/pacificon-table
LARK Swap Meet & Table
MDARC - Diablo Summit Stomp
Saturday, October 19, 2024 (during Pacificon)
Running Race from Castle Rock Park, Walnut Creek, CA
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
Brazen Racing https://brazenracing.com/summitstomp
LARK - Cycle Of Hope
Sunday, October 20, 2025
Bicycle Race in Dublin, CA
Radio Coordinator: George Moorehead, KG6GEM<kg6wiu1@comcast.net>
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AEAD28A6FA7-44577659-cycle
Habitat for Humanity & Patelco https://www.habitatcycleofhope.org/Race/CA/Dublin/CycleofHope
MDARC - Lake Chabot Trail Run - No Response from Event Organizer
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Running Race in the Oakland Hills
Radio Coordinator: Larry Loomer, KI6LNB <laryloomer@yahoo.com>
https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/CastroValley/LakeChabotTrailRun