NETC 2024 Signup

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NETC 2024 Signup

The Columbia Amateur Radio Association (CARA) has been requested to provide communications support for the Northeast Endurance Team Challenge 2024 equestrian endurance event on the weekend of June 22-23, 2024 at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area located in Elkton, MD. This is a 24 hour event (7:00 A.M. - 07:00 A.M.) that includes 100 mile, 75 mile, 65 mile, 50 mile and 25 mile courses.

All support locations will require use of transportable VHF/UHF radios, antennas, power and HTs. All stations are at remote locations that do not have power (quiet generator use permitted). Some locations are near restrooms or portable toilets. While most locations are accessible via paved or unfinished roads some locations are best accessed via vehicles with 4WD.

Yes, this is Field Day weekend! We are going to do our best to provide volunteers who support this event with the opportunity to camp out and work Field Day from event support locations (i.e. during slow times).

Though several event support positions will require 18-24-hour support there are many positions that require less than 12 hours support, and a few positions that require less than 6 hours support. Depending upon the number of volunteers who sign up and their availability - we will create support shifts for the positions that require more than 6 hours support so folks do not have to commit their entire Field Day weekend to this event unless they would like to do so.

We are working with the event organizers and Fair Hill staff to permit volunteers who support this event to arrive on Friday (June 21st) to camp out and set up stations, as appropriate, prior to the event. Likewise, we are working to permit volunteers to remain at camp and/or support locations through 4:00 P.M. on Sunday (June 23) so they can work Field Day from their camp locations. Additional information will be passed along as it becomes available.

We are currently expecting 175-225 event participants along with their support crews.

Communication support will include:

- Recording and conveying rider numbers to net control for general tracking purposes

- Providing information regarding the general pace of activities

- Advising when assistance (medical, horse transport, etc.) is needed

- Conveying information to riders - as they pass, when necessary

There will be pre-event information and coordination meetings (Zoom) on Tuesday evenings in June beginning at 7:30 P.M. Zoom information will be passed to volunteers when they sign up. Please plan to attend at least one of these meetings.

The CARA Lead for event is Andy Protigal (N3AWP) - awprotigal@gmail.com.

Email *

Name *

Please enter your full name

Call Sign
*

Please enter your call sign

Cell phone
*

Please enter the cell phone number where you can be reached during the day of event

Emergency Contact
*

Please enter an emergency POC and their phone number (first name - nnn-nnn-nnnn)

Availability
*

Please select your availability - check all that apply. We may be able to support other schedules. Please advise in the comments at the end of this form.

Please note - we are working with the event organizers and Fair Hill staff to identify on location camping options for those supporting evening and overnight shifts.

We are also working to identify general camping options for those supporting any portion of this event.

Saturday Morning (0700 - 1300)

Saturday Afternoon (1200 - 1800)

Saturday Evening (1700 - 0000; possibly 0100)

Saturday Overnight (1900 - 0700)

Other:

Required

Vehicle type
*

Some locations are best accessed by vehicles with 4WD or vehicles that can navigate unfinished roads.

Please check the option that best describes your vehicle. Feel free to list make / model in comments at the end of this form.

SUV or Pick Up Truck with 4WD

SUV or Pick Up Truck without 4WD

Mid-size sedan

Compact vehicle

Other:

Camping
*

Select the camping options that you would use if we can arrange camping for this event. We're probably unable to support use of hammock-style tents or Type A RV (motohomes). There are some nearby lodging options in the Elkton area.

Please provide additional information in the comments at the end of this form.

Additional information about camping options will be shared as soon as details are worked with the event organizers and Fair Hill staff.

I do not plan to camp out

"Under The Stars" (or under a canopy)

Small Tent (2-person hiker style)

Large Tent (4-person or larger - car camping style)

Pop-Up Camper Trailer

Camper Trailer (less than 20 feet, not fifth wheel)

Class B RV Camper or Truck Camper

Class C RV Camper

Required

Support Location
*

Select all that apply so that we can identify suitable support locations for you.

- Field Position - requires 4WD SUV or similar vehicle with at at least 6-8 inches ground clearance

- Trailside Position - on/near gravel or dirt road (accessible to most vehicles)

- Roadside Position - on/near paved road

- General Area Support - at Base Camp, vet check, finish line, etc.

Vehicles can be parked at most field, trailside and roadside locations

Field Position (possibly remote)

Trailside Position

Roadside Position

General Area Support

I don't mind walking

I prefer to not be on my feet that much

I prefer to be near a toilet

Required

HT Capabilities

Everyone will require a dual band VHF/UHF HT and spare batteries to support support times. CARA has a couple HTs to lend out.

Cross band links to mobile VHF/UHF radios will be set up at each support location.

HTs enable personal mobility.

I do not have an HT and would like to borrow one of the CARA HTs

I have an HT and spare batteries to support the times referenced above

I have an extended range antenna (i.e. telescoping element) - please specify antenna type in comments

Required

Transportable VHF/UHF Radio Capabilities
*

Does not include your vehicle radio, which will be addressed in the next question.

I do not have a transportable VHF/UHF radio

I have a transportable dual band VHF/UHF radio

This radio can support cross band operations

I can operate this radio in a field location

Required

Vehicle VHF/UHF Radio Capabilities
*

Does not include your transportable radio - referenced in the previous question

I do not have a VHF/UHF radio in my vehicle

I have a dual band VHF/UHF radio in my vehicle

This radio can support cross band operations

I can run this radio using a power source other than my vehicle battery

I can easily connect an external antenna to my vehicle radio

Required

Antenna, Power & Miscellaneous Stuff
*

Check all that apply and provide details regarding antenna type, battery capacity, etc. in the comments at the end of this form.

- Transportable VHF/UHF mast antenna - minimum 10 feet elevation

- Coax cable - minimum 15 feet plus antenna height

- 12 VDC Battery - minimum 48 AH (not including augmented solar power)

- Generator - inverting Honda-style generator (1-3 KW) (bring your own fuel)

- Extension cord - for generator at least 25 feet to keep generator away from horses

- Folding table - camping style table (optional) as a work surface

- Folding chair - camping style chair (strongly recommended)

- Canopy - pop-up style canopy (optional, but recommended) including tie downs, etc.

Transportable Antenna

Coax

12 VDC Battery

Generator

Extension Cord

Folding Table

Folding Chair

Canopy

Required

Additional comments

Please add information as needed. Include any information about particular needs, etc. Please direct any questions to Andy (N3AWP) via email at awprotigal@gmail.com.

Additional information will be shared with volunteers as it becomes available.

A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.

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