Rocky Mountain Rally 2022 Communications Crew

For the communications crew we had 26 volunteers including 2 Net Controllers and 2 for Radio Support and Radio Coordinator. In addition to the blocker and control point roles - one deployed and tended to VE6RNQ, one in the Ambulance, two supported the Communications Trailer deployment and were available in the Service area.

It was a good mixture of experienced operators, and a first time for a few.

The day had an exciting start, and then carried on mostly as expected. A little bit chilly up Moose Mountain Road, and dusty down below. The weather forecast changed between the pre-op briefing and event day with the forecasted rain holding off delivering a great day to be out in Kananaskis.

Some of this area is challenging for RF, and the area delivered it's challenge again on rally day. We had strategically placed the VE6RNQ portable repeater at a location on Moose Mountain Road where it would reach most of the south end of Powderface Trail and also had simplex reach to Net Control. This was a valuable asset and a contingency that worked as intended, and we will plan on doing the same again next time in this area.

There were a couple of locations that had more trouble reaching VE6RNQ - and some possible solutions to those are being contemplated. It is a tough problem, and any input is definitely welcome. We are looking forward to hearing from anybody who deployed or experimented with directional antennas - those are one of the options that might be part of a solution.

Equipment issues were not a problem for this crew. Before the event, there were a couple of items that came up with deploying the communications trailer - one was a problematic lock on the unit. The amount of tooling that was ready to show up, and that did show up to deal with it made quick work of that problem. During the event, one operator had noticed a misbehaving microphone - while properly stowed, the PTT was still occasionally being engaged. Once noticed, spare equipment was brought online and the issue resolved.

‘Two is one, one is none.’ is not trite - we live this every event in some way or another.

We were even able to help out a member of the public in a small way. A hiker had come to the area early and, on returning to their vehicle, discovered both the road closure and also that they had locked their keys in their car. A phone call was relayed by Radio Support, and arrangements made to drop off spare keys at one of the control points. 000 executed a dramatic tactical turnaround to be able to retrieve and then get the keys to their destination.

This event was a good introduction to a new net controller - Bob VA6BM. Net Control handled the challenging conditions and some split channel operations really well. True professionals.

There was also a trial with a Starlink endpoint in the Service area and near Net Control. An internet based link is used for managing RallySafe data - and being able to keep a RallySafe operator close to Net Control has been a desirable thing for a long time. Initial reports are that this worked very well.

And finally, our estimate on a final check out time - after being adjusted for the stage timing - was out by only 10 minutes. Thank you to all of the volunteers who stuck with the check out procedure (which was all of you) - we KNOW that everybody who wanted to get out of the area did so successfully.

73,

Dana Harding, VA6DJH

Garry Spicer, VE6GDS