eHam.net News

///////////////////////////////////////////
The Logistics Behind those Cycling Legs:

Posted: 04 Apr 2016 06:17 PM PDT
http://www.eham.net/articles/36506


For more than 25 years, members of the Albemarle Amateur Radio Club have
donated their time, and their radios, to the Jefferson Cup Bike Race. On
Sunday, more than 500 cyclists relied on race officials, police officers
and ham radio operators to keep them safe during the 27th annual event. The
Jefferson Cup consists of nine different races from 30 miles to 80 miles in
length, divided into different ability levels and age groups. The race
course loops on Carters Mountain Road, Blenheim Road and Secretary's Road.
Instead of closing the course to the public, they use a rolling enclosure,
where the racers are "enclosed" by a caravan of vehicles for their safety.
Because cellphone coverage is spotty along the course, 12 AARC members used
their radios to communicate with each other and inform officials in
different enclosure groups about their location on the course and what
corners need to be closed to oncoming traffic. "Part of the deal with ham
radio, in exchange for the privilege of using public airwaves for our hobby
\& we work public events and provide communications," said Mike McPherson,
the Amateur Radio Emergency Service emergency coordinator for Albemarle
County. AARC uses a repeater -- a receiver and a transmitter connected
together -- that hears on one frequency and simultaneously retransmits on a
slightly different frequency. The repeater is on a mountaintop, so there is
a larger footprint, as compared with a cell tower, said Dave Damon, AARC's
public services director. "I always tell our people that we come out to
provide a service, but their job is to provide the service, to have fun
doing it and to learn something because until we have those things, then
we're missing the point," Damon said. During Sunday's races, McPherson was
in a follow car behind the main pack of racers and one motor official. The
cyclists who drop back and are no longer able to keep up with the pack lose
that immediate protection. "This is great practice," McPherson said. "With
any luck, there aren't very many real emergencies, so we use these events
to practice our procedures and make sure our equipment works."


///////////////////////////////////////////
Ham Radio Communication in Shadow Zone Polling Booths:

Posted: 04 Apr 2016 06:16 PM PDT
http://www.eham.net/articles/36505


KOLKATA: Ham radio operators will be working in mobile shadow zones as
earmarked by the election commission where mobile phone network does not
properly reach to provide radio communication assistance for smooth
communication facilities on poll day. The Office of the district magistrate
and district election officer of North 24 Parganas has accepted a proposal
of West Bengal Radio Club (Ameteur Club) to provide Ham radio communication
in 24 polling stations in North 24 Parganas falling under shadow zones. A
letter on this regard was isused and sent to the organisation by the
district magistrate and district election officer of North 24 Parganas on
last Tuesday, just a day after the radio club had sent its proposal.


///////////////////////////////////////////
Review of Icom's IC-7300 by AmateurLogic.TV:

Posted: 04 Apr 2016 09:55 AM PDT
http://www.eham.net/articles/36504


An in depth review of Icom's new IC-7300
brought to you by amateurlogic.tv