TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM ARRL DISTRICT 3 EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 17.15 DATE: April 9, 2017
SUBJECT: ACTIVITIES ARE STARTING
Last weeks bulletin "It's All For Training" was to let you know that any activities you participate in can be used for training. Well, one of those activities started last week with the Challenge at Mountwood Mountain Bike Race. Communications for it is always a challenge, since communications in all areas of the park are needed. It's probably one of the most important events of the season, since the bike riders are in areas that could get them hurt.
Communications for the High School and Middle School Cross Country foot races are always important, since the runners are out of sight of for short periods of time and may need assistance. In the past there have been several times that communications have been important getting the runners the help they needed.
There are other activities coming up that can also be used for training. Coming up on April 22nd is the "Vienna River Road Fun Run". On May 20th is the "Chic-Fil-A" Road Run. On June 24th and 25th is "Field Day". And, on August 19th is the "Parkersburg Half Marathon". All of these events can be used as training for communications. Communications are needed to cover all of these race courses and events.
A real challenge will be on April 22nd to provide communications for a "Horse Ride" on the Rails-to-Trails in Ritchie County. Since there is no cellphone coverage on most of the trail, one of the ride officials has ask the Wood County Amateurs to work with the Ritchie County Amateurs to provide communications for the six mile horse ride between Ellenboro and North Bend State Park, and back. The real training happens because the ride is the same day as the "Vienna River Road Fun Run". Trying to get enough Amateur Radio operators to cover both events, and set up a communications network to cover the area will be a challenge.
All of these activities can be used for training, and getting ready for when real emergency communications are needed.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV