Because there are only two radios, but there are four frequencies, there will be times when a call on one frequency will take priority over the second call coming in.  Should you make a call and not get an answer, consider listening in on one of the two repeaters to see if the net control operator might be busy handling traffic, and make your call again when you hear the traffic clear.  Also consider trying a different frequency with the hope that the other operator might be available.

While this works when a repeater is active, it won't work when the first call is on a simplex frequency and you can't hear the simplex traffic.  In times like these it will be important to have faith that we are there and will answer as soon as possible.  During the early part of the day, there will be three radio operators in net control, so if one person needs to leave for any reason, there will be a second person capable of stepping in to cover the radio.  In the afternoon when traffic and course needs begin to settle down, there is a good chance there will be other radio operators near net control to also step in and help.

Until 10:00 AM in the morning, all patrolling activity is on the 50 & 100 mile routes.  If you have been assigned to work the 25-mile course, watch the clock so you can cover that route once it becomes active.

SAG wagons for this event, will primarily be dispatched, rather than sent out to roam the course. This means the only discovery coverage our bicyclist have will be from patrolling motorcycles.

Radio power requirements for this course are not fixed. In many places, you can use 5-watts and that will be fine. However, as you work either end of the course or in any of the canyons, for sure you will find that even high power may not work on a specific frequency even though you are hearing the repeater.  If you find you are not reaching the repeater, try the other repeater. If the second repeater doesn't work, try using one of the Simplex frequencies.  

Keep in mind your ability to hear is much better than it is to transmit. All of the Rest Stops have been asked to monitor at least one of the Simplex frequencies. Net control will monitor both Simplex frequencies as well. If you aren't getting answered when you call net control, call any rest stop and ask for a relay. All rest stops will have positioned their antennas to reach one of the repeaters.
 

Where motorcycles should patrol is a constant question for each event that only gets fuzzy answers. The simple answer is to patrol where people need help. While this is obvious, it isn't always easy to understand because the movement of the riders through the course isn't predictable, but more importantly, where people need help isn't always where most people are grouping. This dilemma means we need motors patrolling everywhere our event riders are riding. With only a limited number of motors available for any one event, the need to have them spread out can only be determined by the motorcyclist on the course.

How to make that decision isn't science, but a simple rule is to not ride in pairs unless there is a mechanical, communication or training need. Don't leave on patrol as a group. Be sure someone is covering every course. On routes where one section overlaps two routes, motors should decide amongst themselves who will keep that section patrolled so they aren't traveling in tandem. Crossing a route from two different directions works very well and keeps the route covered much better than a sole rider could possible cover it. In short, if you spread yourselves around well, route support will be great and the event will be more fun for everyone.

While patrolling a route, what is the role of a motor is a question I hear often. Our primary role is to get help to where it is needed as quickly as possible. While patrolling, our secondary role is to remind riders to keep to the right of road and to ride in a single file. All too often bicyclists will group into packs and spread themselves across the road blocking traffic and create a safety hazard for themselves and others. Verbally remind riders to keep to the right, and if you see a rider going blowing through a Stop sign, remind them that kind of behavior is against event rules and when observed by authorities, tickets get issued. We have no legal authority with them, but if you keep a note of who is operating recklessly, we'll have that information should an accident occur.

Another role the motors need to play is helping event management understand where the riders are on the course and to help us close the rest stops as soon as the last rider goes through that location. This role requires the motorcyclist to become proactive in working the tail end of the route. As the bulk of the riders move through the course, it is important for the motorcyclist to let the next rest stop in line on the route know an approximate number of riders still remaining on that section. Rest stop #1 is the first to close so this is where closing operations will begin. Once all the 50 & 100-mile riders have gone through, that location's volunteers can collapse the rest stop and leave their assignment. Just knowing how many riders are left to come through doesn't terminate the motor's responsibility. All too often there will be a few riders who just aren't up to making that length of course in a reasonable amount of time. For these riders, motors should look ahead on the course map with net control to a location on the course that will put that person back into reasonable traveling time. Once that location is understood, it is the motor's role to coach the bicyclist by encouraging them to leap forward with a SAG ride to a new location that will get them back into the event, or off the course if the day is ending. Leaping ahead will place the rider in with the majority of the bicyclist and it will allow event management to release volunteers in a timely fashion.

While SAG Wagons are indispensable on the course, they are also costly to operate and most often not fuel-efficient. They are also large, and some are enormous, to have with bicyclist on small narrow roads. Last year in this event, and in other events, bicyclist tell us they appreciate the increase use of motorcycles because they can share the road easily with them, while large vehicles are difficult because they force them dangerously close to the side of the road. This is probably a good thing because nothing is harder to recruit than a SAG wagon.

Our event will have around 12 motorcycles patrolling the course. Half of these motorcycles will have long-range amateur radios that will allow them to instantly relay course needs back to net control for support. With this many motorcycles patrolling the course, it makes no sense to also have SAG wagons roaming the course undirected and empty.

Our plan is the have ham radios in all of the SAG wagons so we can dispatch them from anywhere on the course. Where they are positioned initially, is probably not where they'll be an hour later because of the constant need to use their services. Once a SAG wagon has been dispatched to make a delivery to a rest stop, it makes no sense for that SAG wagon to leave that location unless they have a second assignment waiting. Most often, where rest stops need supplies, is also near where we need to pick up riders for return to Start-Finish.

SAG Wagons are also important for sweeping the course. Releasing volunteers as early as possible is the best way to get them back next year. This year's plan for closing rest stops will be to monitor the approaching course sections closely with motorcycles and begin sweep operations as soon as possible. In addition, riders who are lagging way behind others on their course, will be encourage to take a SAG wagon to the next location. This gets the lagging rider back into the main part of the event and we don't keep volunteers standing around waiting for a failing rider. This approach has worked well in many other events and riders have told me afterwards, they are appreciative for the boost forward we gave them.

Mobile radios roaming the course where the signal isn't a clear signal path often forget they hear much better than they can transmit. Because of this, they often continue talking thinking their traffic is being passed and understood, while in fact what is happening is that those listening wonder what is being said.

Remember the Verizon commercial where the man moves around the field saying, "Can you hear me now?" The best clue to whether people are hearing you well enough is when they don't answer, or ask that you repeat your message. Take that queue to position yourself so that your traffic can be heard. I'm mentioning this because it is so often forgotten when operating in the field. Moving just a few feet one way of the other can make a significant difference in whether your message is heard and understood. By the same token, when operating in areas where your signal is marginal, staying put until you completely pass all your traffic makes a significant difference in whether your message is understood.

If you use 911 from a cell phone, the call will go to the CHP office and will be relayed back to a city location, or to a Sheriff's department in almost all cases. This for certain will increase the delay for all types of responses

Permanent phones like pay, or house type phones can call 911 directly and not worry about anything.

When you arrive at the campground, you will find the Net-Control station in the corner of the parking lot to your left as you turn off of San Andreas road.

When you arrive, there should be temporary parking space available near our net control station so you shouldn't have much trouble finding it.