Calgary Amateur Radio Association
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Rally Radio Recce
As promised in a previous note, this is an update on how the pandemic situation is affecting plans for the rally. Before we get to that, I want to thank everyone who has signed up already. It's clear that people are ready to get out of their basements for a day! Dana and I really appreciate your support for this event. If you are thinking of joining us, registration instructions are provided in a prior posting to this blog.
As of today, 15 March 2021, the event organizing committee has issued no changes to its position on planning for the event. See this post for the information about our pandemic strategy:
Calgary Amateur Radio Association - CWR 2021 - Pandemic Statement (caraham.org)
Additionally, I am unaware of any major changes to the provincial rules being announced in the last week. It seems as though the case numbers have plateaued, so we all need to do our best to keep them going down!
For now, we are continuing with plans to hold the event in the hopes that provincial restrictions will be sufficiently lifted in time for us to go forward.
73, Garry, VE6GDS
*NEW* Rally Registration Procedure Now Available!
Volunteer registration for the Cochrane Winter Rally is now available. Please review this posting carefully, as there are changes from previous registration procedures. We will be using a Google Forms tool this time. Please do not look for the usual registration links on the RallyWest web page. The URL for the form is provided below. Progress urges us forward!
On the Cochrane Winter Rally Volunteer Registration form, questions with a red star are required information. There is a progress bar at the bottom of each page and buttons to navigate amongst the pages.
The form requests your email address. The address you provide will be the one to which rally organizers will send event related messages. A response receipt will also be sent to this address when you submit your information. These receipts have a tendency to end up in SPAM folders, so please check there if it does not show up in your inbox. In the receipt email there is a button to edit your response should you need to do so later.
We gather contact and profile information about you so that we can keep you up to date with event plans. Additionally, should there be a safety concern or an emergency, we want to be able to contact you, notify a friend or family member on your behalf, or provide this information to authorities / first responders. Please ensure that contact information you provide is correct. Messages that bounce back at us are not getting the job done!
If you indicate that you will be driving to the event, then you will be asked questions about your driving skill and the vehicle that you intend to bring to the rally. We use this information to help assign suitable roles. Select the responses that you feel best describe your situation.
You will be asked if you are a licensed Amateur Radio Operator. Only if you answer YES to this question will you be taken to the Radio Operator Questions section.
When asked for your callsign, please provide the one government assigned callsign that you intend to use for the rally. If you want to include other callsigns that are registered to you, then please add them to the free form text comments at the end of the registration form.
There is a question on the form about the radio equipment that you plan to bring to the rally. We use this information to help assign suitable roles. Some areas of the course require more robust radio configurations to reach the repeaters. Please choose the option that most closely describes the equipment that you plan to use. If you are bringing more than one set of equipment, then make your selection based on the configuration that you will rely on most at the event. If you do not have your own radio equipment and need to borrow something, then please indicate this and get in touch with us as soon as possible to make arrangements.
There is a question on the form about your APRS capabilities. While it is not required for most rally radio operator roles, we increasingly rely on APRS for navigation, positioning, and information distribution. We encourage our operators to deploy an APRS configuration that has a graphical display, as this can show your current location, your assignment location, and the routes you need to use. It will also give you the best access to information that is disseminated with this tool. Some operators have not yet acquired such equipment and use a one-way tracker. This, too, can be helpful if the operator gets lost and needs navigational guidance. Consider using APRS at this event.
There is a question on the form about your crossband capabilities. If you're not sure what this is, then just respond NO. Certain assignments rely on the ability to be outside of your vehicle while remaining in radio contact. If you have such capabilities and are willing to deploy them at the rally, then please indicate YES.
As noted earlier, there is a free format question near the end of the form for additional comments. Please provide any information or concerns that you believe were not addressed earlier in the form.
Once you are done, remember to click on the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the page. You should receive an email receipt shortly after doing so.
To accommodate feedback that we have received, we will try to keep the number of mass emails to a minimum. We will usually post material in the Rally Radio Recce Blog where everyone can find it at their own discretion. That means it is up to you to check the blog regularly so that you have the latest information. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
If you click on the URL below it will take you to the volunteer registration form. It works best with a Google Chrome browser, though other modern browsers seem to be adequate.
https://forms.gle/11zHNTj7hj8M22788
We hope you'll be joining us for a great time at the Cochrane Winter Rally!
73, Dana, VA6DJH Garry, VE6GDS
Rally Radio Operators;
It looks like the COVID numbers are continuing to move in the right direction. It was encouraging to see provincial authorities ease some of the Health Emergency restrictions earlier today. Let's keep working to move transmission rates down so that our rally events can go forward.
Please take a moment to read this statement from the rally organizing committee. It presents the planning strategy for the Cochrane Winter Rally in the current pandemic context.
Cochrane Winter Rally 2021 - Pandemic Statement The Cochrane Winter Rally organizing committee is dedicated to running a safe event. In the context of the current COVID pandemic, this means placing increased emphasis on protecting the health of our participants and volunteers. To this end, we are working with Alberta Health to ensure that our event is conducted in full compliance with all Health Emergency regulations. At this time we are proceeding optimistically with event planning in accordance with provincial guidelines. Should it become necessary to alter these plans, we will communicate this promptly to our participants and volunteers. Given the dynamic nature of the situation, a clear go / no-go decision cannot be made until the week before the event. Until that point, and in the absence of a compelling reason to do otherwise, we will proceed under the assumption that the rally will take place.
Cochrane Winter Rally 2021 - Pandemic Statement
The Cochrane Winter Rally organizing committee is dedicated to running a safe event. In the context of the current COVID pandemic, this means placing increased emphasis on protecting the health of our participants and volunteers. To this end, we are working with Alberta Health to ensure that our event is conducted in full compliance with all Health Emergency regulations. At this time we are proceeding optimistically with event planning in accordance with provincial guidelines. Should it become necessary to alter these plans, we will communicate this promptly to our participants and volunteers. Given the dynamic nature of the situation, a clear go / no-go decision cannot be made until the week before the event. Until that point, and in the absence of a compelling reason to do otherwise, we will proceed under the assumption that the rally will take place.
In support of the organizing committee’s stance on this matter, Dana or I will post updates on 15 and 29 March to keep our operators apprised of any changes in the situation.
73, Garry, VE6GDS Dana, VA6DJH
Attention all Rally Radio Operators!
Planning for the Cochrane Winter Rally (CWR) is underway. While organizing an event continues to be challenging in a pandemic context, we're going to be optimistic and take our best shot at making a rally happen. I'm sure that everyone is eager to get out of their basements and enjoy a day in the woods. The scenery near the mountains is far better and there is plenty of space to maintain social distance!
The intended date for the CWR has changed, so please note this in your calendars. The new date for racing is Sunday 11 April 2021. The organizing committee felt that a delay would increase the likelihood of pandemic rules being sufficiently relaxed in time for the event to be permitted. While everything is somewhat tentative in our current situation, there is growing confidence that this date is achievable.
Recce and other opening activities are planned for Saturday 10 April. A few radio operators may be needed to help with this part of the event, as well.
The venue covers the usual Ghost area locations on Waiparous Road, Harold Creek Road, and Hunter Valley Road northwest of Cochrane, Alberta.
Instructions for registration will be posted to this blog as soon as they are available. Check back here regularly for updates!
Hello Rally Radio Operators!
We trust that the New Year is treating everyone well. No doubt everyone is glad to put 2020 behind them and is hoping for better things this year. This is just a quick post to bring everyone up to date with what is happening on the rally front for 2021.
First, we have to bear in mind that COVID continues to be a reality with which we have to contend this year. While there is reason to be optimistic that things will get back to normal, it is likely to be slow, incremental progress. We need to temper our expectations accordingly.
Next, there are three rally events currently on the schedule and to which we’d like to draw your attention:
First is the Cochrane Winter Rally. It is currently scheduled for Sunday, 07 March 2021 (updated 2021-02-02) Sunday, 11 April 2021 in the traditional Ghost / Waiparous area northwest of Cochrane. Watch this blog carefully for updates on this event, as details will be coming out soon.
Next is the Rocky Mountain Rally. It is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, 29 and 30 May 2021. The intent is to hold this rally here in Alberta, rather than going to BC. More information about this event will be posted here once it is available.
Finally, the Kananaskis Stage Rally is scheduled for Sunday, 31 October. It is likely to be held in the Powderface region, as usual.
We could also be asked to assist with smaller rally related events, such as Test Days. This matter was discussed in a previous post (https://caraham.org/page-1862770/9362135). If you are interested in such events, please let Dana or me know so that we can coordinate these opportunities.
Thanks to everyone who came out to the events we managed to hold last year. Please keep an eye on this blog so that we can keep you updated with rally information in what we hope will be a much better season. See you on the course!
This year has proven to be a real challenge for the Rocky Mountain Rally. The organizing team had to move the event back to Alberta from BC, then later cancel it due to pandemic concerns. We did manage to pull off a smaller Test Day event last Saturday, though. While it was not what we were originally gearing up for, it was great just to get out of town and key up the radio out in the woods!
A Test Day is a more modest undertaking than a full rally. It typically involves fewer rally cars, a shorter route, fewer radio operators, and less formal radio protocols. These events are opportunities for rally drivers to test their cars, work on technique, and practice with the co-drivers. While the atmosphere is a little more relaxed than what one would find at a competitive event, safety is still a priority.
Our radio operators did a solid job of keeping the course under control and ensuring that the Rallymaster was kept up to date with what was happening around the venue. In all, we had 72 test runs made by 6 different rally teams over about a six hour timeframe on the JumpingPound Demonstration Loop. Bob, VA6BM, did a great job of coordinating the radio exchanges as the rally cars moved through the course. The rest of us rotated through different roles as blockers and Finish Point operators.
The radio team included:
Tim, VA6RLY Art, VE6ACF Bob, VA6BM Bruce, VA6BRM Max, VE6MAD Garry, VE6GDS Ken, VE6DXM
Peter, VA6RPL had to send his regrets. We hope you can join us for Cochrane, Peter.
While we were on the alert for bad weather, the timing turned out almost perfectly. It was a chilly -2 degrees for much of the day, with moderate winds and a little light snow. However those brutal winds and the heavier snowfall held off until after the event was complete. I was just coming back into Calgary as the front moved in from the north.
We had an interesting take-away from this event. In the past, radio operators have not been requested for Test Days. However, radio operations were so successful that the Rallymaster asked if we might be interested in participating in future Test Day events. These smaller, less complex events are much easier to prepare for than a full rally, but still make a great chance to get out of town for a day and have some fun. They could also be opportunities for people who are interested in rally radio operations and would like to get some experience with the rally scene before taking on the challenges of a regional or national level event. Please give this some consideration and let Dana (VA6DJH) or me know your thoughts.
Thanks to everyone who came out. I hope that we can get the pandemic under control before it's time for the Cochrane Winter Rally. Watch this blog for details about upcoming rally events.
For those of you who have signed up to help with the Rocky Test Day on Saturday, here are a few details:
Rallymaster would like us to activate by 08:30hrs. I suggest being on site by 08:00 so that we have time to do radio checks and such before things get started.
I suggest that radio operators connect on the VE6AUY repeater (147.060- T110.9). I'll be monitoring that channel on approach.
We'll be using 146.55Mhz simplex for the event. I suggest that all operators check that they have programmed this frequency correctly.
Here is a .kml file of the reduced venue. It should have enough information to keep you on track: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wtzacbx0NXQHv4nasjpwpinr3FbTQPVM/view?usp=sharing
For those of you using APRSIS32, or something similar, here is the equivalent .gpx file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13HYLdPuNkZ4dVDPEX7PCT65v18zNP48V/view?usp=sharing
Please keep in mind that we must follow the Pandemic Protocol guidelines, as posted earlier in this blog. Let's keep the vast majority of our interaction "over the air" and minimize in-person contact. Don't forget to bring a mask and some hand sanitizer!
Additionally, be aware that the weather forecast is calling for a significant change over the next 24 hours. The temperature is likely to drop and it looks like we'll get snow. Conditions can change quickly in the mountains, so please come prepared.
Thanks to everyone who signed up to help with this event. While it's not what we were all hoping for, a reduced event is still a great chance to get out of town for a day and have some fun!
See you there, Garry, VE6GDS
Hello Radio Operators,
COVID-19 current and daily new infection rates are at record high levels and we don’t feel it would be socially responsible to continue with the event and potentially put our volunteers, competitors, and other participants at risk.
Official bulletin is here: https://www.rallywest.com/f/vnb/164/RMR20_Bulletin_3.pdf
We thank all the volunteers for your interest. There was a very strong showing for radio operator volunteers - which was exciting to see. I look forward to trying to do the same for CWR!
Dana Harding, VA6DJH
Garry Spicer, VE6GDS
Here is a link to the Radio Configuration and Operation Guide for the upcoming rally. This document lists the operating frequencies for the event, presents key radio procedures, and provides recommendations for effective communication practices.
Powderface Trail can be a challenging environment for radio operations. This guide describes means of managing the difficulties that operators may encounter. Please review the related recommendations.
Please take careful note of the guidance for minimizing interference! We will have a large number of radio operators involved in this event. So, it is very important that we minimize interference issues. The sections in this guide that pertain to cross-band configurations and digital operations are especially important.
A copy of the guide can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y5xXzUFKEbLcvxOqr-c8T-8uqzSsjPqR/view?usp=sharing
Hello Rally Radio Operators;
This post is to confirm details of the Pre-Op Briefing. Please note that the date has changed since the original schedule was announced.
The current particulars are:
Radio Operator Pre-Op Briefing 04 November 2020 19:00hrs (07:00pm) Zoom
The entry on the CARA calendar is correct: https://caraham.org/event-4004825?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=10%2F25%2F2020
The briefing should take a little over an hour. The Zoom link will be emailed out to radio operators who have registered. So, if you have not already done so, please register!
Instructions for signing up can be found here: https://caraham.org/page-1862770/9229615
