On October 15th the Fresno Cycle Club and several other local clubs hosted the Double Century Bass Lake Powerhouse Ride, A Time Trial & Endurance bike ride. The Mountain ARC worked with the San Joaquin Valley Amateur Radio Society to provide communications between the rest stops along the route and the command station located in Clovis at the Elks Lodge.
Communications took place on the 146.820 repeater which gave us good coverage along the route. Back up frequencies were the 146.745 & 147.180 repeaters. The 200 mile route started at Clovis and roughly followed a route through Auberry, Northfork, Bass Lake, Mariposa, Raymond, and back to Clovis. While the ride lasted from before sunrise until around midnight, climbing over 15,800 cumulative feet over the route, the actual rest stops were only staffed for setup and during the time riders were coming through.
MARC members staffed 5 stations in Madera and Mariposa Counties, while SJVARS members covered the command post along with the rest of the stops. Those participating were: Alan W6LSU & Sammy KG6ZAE at Bass Lake, Tom WB6GXQ & Jeff KF6CNV at the Madera-Mariposa County Line, Joe K6BUD & George W6RFL at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, Ed KG6UDT & Dean KG6MXZ at Raymond, Dick W6RFR & Jerry WA6ONA at the Spring Valley School in O’Neals. SJVARS participants were: John KG6AWB, Pat KG6BXZ, Jim KF6GKC, Mark K6ORJ, Gene W7POR, Mike KG6RZW, Jan KG6SUL, Carole KG6TTF, Kim KF6ZSW.
All the operators wore orange emergency communications vests and looked quite spiffy. If you would like to see some pictures of the SJVARS side of operations; they can be found at www.sjvars.com.
Jeff KF6CNV
Madera County ARES supported the Mountain Heritage Days Parade by providing communications at key positions along the parade route on Saturday, September 7th from 0800 to 1200. The following operators participated with communications on 146.745 frequency: Staging - Ernie Hoge, KD6TRV & Ed Schiller, KG6UDT, PC Shadow - Jeff Wandell, KF6CNV, Judging/Announcer - Jerry Thompson, WA6ONA, and Net Control - Dick Rekart, W6RFR. The operators performed successfully and without incident. The operators also looked sharp in their club clothing and orange vests. Thanks to all the operators for volunteering, and donating their time for a job done well.
Dick Rekart W6RFR
EC, Madera County
Dick
Rekart, W6RFR
ARES
is a public service organization coordinated by the ARRL. It consists
of licensed Amateur Radio Operators who have voluntarily registered
their qualifications and equipment to provide emergency communications
for public service events as needed.
