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Our annual pilgrimage to the beach in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society - Mid-Atlantic Chapter is fast approaching! The MS-150 Breakaway to the Beach is our biggest public service event of the year, with over 35 different positions supported by at least 32 amateur radio operators at last count. This year, we can expect over 2,500 cyclists starting in Lugoff, SC, Rockingham, NC, and Weddington, NC. The Weddington starting point represents our Century route, with cyclists pedaling 100 miles before reaching the Saturday night stopover in Florence, SC.
The MS-150 is ALWAYS a directed net. Once the net starts, all traffic will be controlled by Net Control. Net Control will be Tim Slay, N4IB in the W4BFB trailer. If you need to pass traffic to Tim, simply throw out your callsign or suffix during a pause in the net. Tim will acknowledge your place in the queue and call on you when it is your turn to pass traffic. The word BREAK is to be used only in an emergency, and all net participants should immediately hold all non-critical traffic until Tim gives the word to continue. Listen to the traffic on the net and be a good listener - many times, the answer to your next question may have already been answered in a previous communication.
All radio frequencies being used should be programmed into your gear prior to the event - we never know when we may be asked to switch to an alternate frequency. For Saturday, they include:
145.49 (-600) in Cheraw, SC - used for the
ride from Rockingham to Florence.
146.895 (-600) in Pageland, SC - used for the Century route in
Weddington until Rest Stop F or G.
The above two repeaters will be linked together for Saturday.
147.195 (+600) in Florence, SC will also be linked in at some point to cover the Florence area. Bishopville at 146.925 will be used by the South Carolina cyclists leaving from Lugoff.
On Sunday, things are just a little bit complicated this year. The frequencies are:
147.195 (+600) in Florence, SC
147.000 (-600) in Marion, SC - being repaired at the moment, should
be ready for the ride.
145.470 (-600) in Myrtle Beach, SC
The above three machines will be linked together. Mobile rigs will be REQUIRED for Sunday - use your highest power and best antenna. Things could get spotty in a few areas. If necessary, we will move people to 145.110 (-600) but it is preferred that everyone be through the Sunday lunch stop before we QSY. 147.375 (+600) in Georgetown, SC will also be linked in as well. Our backup from last year, the Dillon machine at 146.745, is DOWN and is not expected to be back up for another six months or so. Blame a combination of HDTV, tower load factors, and some equipment failures for this, but perhaps it will available next year.
446.100 simplex may be used for non-critical communications and do not involve Net Control, such as SAG to SAG or SAG to rest stop traffic.
Many of us will be using APRS as well. Digipeater coverage has greatly improved in recent years on the route. If you are at home in Charlotte, you may be able to check the progress of the event via http://www.findu.com.
The ride starts at 7:00 AM in Weddington, and 8:00 AM in Rockingham. It will also start around 8:00 AM in Florence on Sunday. Since the cyclists seem to be moving faster and faster every year, it would be a good idea for Rest Stop HAMs to get to their rest stop at least one hour or more before the first cyclists are scheduled to arrive. This will allow us to get supplies to you in case of shortages and allow plenty of time to let the directors know of problems.
SAG vehicles should receive their SAG kits at their starting points. Magnetic signs will also be available but we may not have enough for everyone to get two. I will look into some sort of sign that can be taped inside a vehicle side window for identification. All SAGs should remember that the cyclists depend on us to help them in the event of a problem, but the cyclists also get very nervous if a SAG is following them too closely.
We hope to pass our T-shirts for the event at the club meeting on September 24th.
Contact Shawn at k4rsg@arrl.net if you have any questions. See you in a few weeks.
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