November 2025 Ocean View Half Marathon After Race Report
Thank you CAARA volunteers for another successful race.
First, the reported medical was not, in the end, a very serious situation, but the ambulance transport was critical. Job well done.
Overall things seemed to go well -- we were fully staffed and it was a beautiful day for a race, maybe a little chilly for us non-runners.
We had some equipment issues with the CAARA trail vehicle, but because Paul was up on RaceJoy the YuKan people and we had a constant read on location. Net Control had some issues getting into the repeater and it might be that the Start/Finish area was a bit of an RF hole. Generally though, the Topsfield repeater performed well with its recently enhanced footprint. We will have to do a better assessment of repeaters and each operating position for next year's Ocean View. We might consider a different repeater so we will do a complete pre-race assessment.
As always, I ask for your observations that might help us to improve our net for future races. One idea I have is to do an on-the-air mini-tutorial for all of our stations just prior to the start of each race -- just a 3-5 minute review of the most critical aspects for a successful net. I will be working on a script to cover essentials-- so please forward your suggestions. I am thinking to cover the following (from the Guidelines for Volunteers):
During the Net ALL Net communications must go through the Net Controller unless a “direct to…” communication has been approved by the Net Controller.
If you have traffic for the Net, call the Net Controller and ID with your tactical call, e.g., Checkpoint 4, then wait to be acknowledged by Net Control before you send your traffic. When Net Control has confirmed receipt of your message, you can end with your callsign (W1ABC clear) to meet FCC requirements.
Keep all communications on the Net as short as possible and do not use the Net for “chatter”. Use the text group for non-essential communications.
Immediately report medical or serious incidents to Net Control and wait for any direction from NC. If there is any delay in reaching NC and getting a response, call 911 (EVEN IF IT MIGHT be a serious medical emergency), First responders would much rather show up and be unneeded than to be called later and be unable to administer timely aid and transport.
If you have an emergency at your location or need other assistance, identify your location by its cross-streets (intersection), or street number. ("CP2 to Net Control", (wait for NC response) "runner in need of EMS at Lake Street and Apple Street. Runner is lying on the side of the road and is conscious but in distress, complaining of chest pain."
If you are Checkpoint 6, and you are near a mile marker, DO NOT report that you are at any particular mile--- always identify by Checkpoint Number. Only mobile units report being "at mile 8, etc.") Again, if asking for assistance give your cross-streets (intersection), or street number.
Please read the "Guidelines for Volunteers" document before every race.
What else?
Many thanks for your work on Sunday -- practicing emergency radio skills and teamwork, and for helping to keep runners safe!
73,
Kevin, K1KL
CAARA Race Coordinator
September 2025 By the Sea Half Marathon After Race Report
Thank you everyone for staffing the By-The Sea race last Sunday.
The weather was gorgeous!
There was a police officer stationed at my location; he closed down one side of the road for runner safety, which helped a lot -- we had runners going in both directions along Essex, which also had a fair amount of car traffic.
We had a hard time hearing net control at this event (lots of static, and occasional drop outs). We may want to explore different equipment or a more elevated antenna for future events.
Repeater testing
We did some repeater testing for the By-The-Sea Half-Marathon this past week. A 5W HT is going to have trouble getting into the primary repeater, W1GLO 2-meters from 4 of our checkpoints.
None of the area repeaters were good from all of our checkpoints and none was better than the W1GLO machine. Our designated back-up repeater, Danvers, has a cycling event net at the same time as our race and it is our 2nd best bet -- but even without a competing event, still difficulties from multiple checkpoints with a 5W hand-held.
We also tested with a 10W mobile setup and it was solid from all checkpoints. I would say that we need this minimum mobile setup from checkpoints 2-6.
We have 2 loaner set-ups that we can utilize if needed.
Please get back to me ASAP so we can form plans as needed.
June 2025 Twin Lobster Half Marathon After Race Report
Thank you volunteers for a great race today. Everyone was loud and clear. Big race! Final count was about 950 runners. Things appeared to go very smoothly. Net communication was excellent. Any lessons learned? Suggestions for future races?
If you can volunteer for any future races, please email Chris, W1TAT. You can check where volunteers are needed on the race web page.
Thanks for your service today!
73
Kevin, K1KL
May 2025 Barns and Blooms Half Marathon After Race Report
Thank you volunteers for a great race today. All cylinders firing and great communications. If you have anything for the "Lessons Learned" column, please message us.
73
Kevin & Chris