One Helluva Ride
As many of you know, the quaintly named Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society annually presents a HUGE bicycle ride throughout the wilds of Michigan called “One Helluva Ride” (OHR for short). This happens this year on Saturday, July 12. The scenario is two dozen hams baby-sitting 1800 riders over a more than 400 sq.mi. area for about eleven hours. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Well, IT IS. (Additional info can be found at www.aabts.org/ohr )
Requirements are simple and somewhat flexible.
(1) Amateur Radio license, ANY class. We use the Chelsea 145.45
repeater (and are eternally grateful for its availability).
(2) A good mobile radio and antenna. 50w or more and 5/8 wave are
preferred, 25w with 5/8 or 50w with 1/4 wave will work in most
areas, but not all (there are lots of hills and valleys). Anything
less is suspect. NO HT’s.
(3) A reliable vehicle with the capacity to carry two bicycles and
their riders.
#1 is the only absolute requirement. There are alternatives for #2 and #3. There are drivers from the AABTS we can pair you up with as a “shotgun” rider. We have a (very) few “transportable” radios available (or maybe you do?) that can be moved from vehicle to vehicle .. We may be able to borrow one or two bike racks. So lack of equipment should not trump enthusiasm and desire to help.
SAG drivers are suggested to have at least a minimum mechanical ability (i.e., know which end of a wrench to hold) and some small tools and a GOOD tire pump with Presti valve. These items are a plus, but can be worked around if absolutely necessary.
The event runs from 7am to 6pm and is headquartered at the Chelsea Fairgrounds. It runs through such exotic locations as Dexter, Gregory, Grass Lake, the Pinckney and Waterloo Recreation Areas and, of course, Hell.
You can work the whole day, or just partial. If you have any interest, please contact me directly at [ w8sgz@tsshome.com ]. Please include your name, call, email address, hours available and a brief list of radio and bicycle equipment you can bring. If any of you have ham friends who are not on the maillist who might be interested, have them get in touch.
The complete wishlist (in order of importance):
Two operators from 8am to 2pm, probably to drive on your own, but one might possibly as a “shotgun”
One op from 9am to 3pm, driving on your own
One op from 7am to Noon, to just sit at a rest stop – none of the bicycle equipment is needed for this
One from noon-6pm
One from 9am-noon
One from 11am to 2pm
If this were a perfect world, I’d also love one or two more who could work all day. But beggars can’t be choosers.
You may bring a friend or relative as a co-pilot/navigator/extra pair of eyes.
Thank you.
73 Jeff W8SGZ
w8sgz@tsshome.com
(For you ARPSC folks, I have long maintained that an event like this is some of the best training you can get. We cover over 400 sq. mi. of varying terrain (lots of hills and valleys) which effect coverage. Equipment breaks. We need to keep our eyes on 1800 bicycle riders (approx. 100 of whom are arrogant jerks – the good 1700 are extremely grateful we’re there). We need to maintain proper radio discipline (i.e. shut up). We need to deal with poor planning by the served agency, etc. etc, etc.)
ARROW/UofM Field Day
The combined ARROW/UofM Field Day will take place, Saturday & Sunday June 28th and 29th, on the soccer fields on the North side of the Ann Arbor Airport (intersection of State St. & Ellsworth). Setup begins Saturday morning. Operating Event begins at 2pm Saturday and runs through 2pm Sunday afternoon.
Public are welcome!!!! A “Get On The AIR (GOTA)” station will be available for non-Hams to try their hand at operating an Amateur Radio Station. The Information Tent will have handouts, general information, demonstrations, and educational activities to assist the public in learning what Amateur Radio is all about.
Monthly Egg Chew – Saturday, June 21
Who: All people interested in ham radio, friends, family members
What: Monthly breakfast gathering
When: Saturday, June 21, 2014; 9-11 AM
Where: Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor
Why: Good food and good conversation
There is still time to get a seat on the bus to the Dayton Hamvention! We have door prizes galore!
The ARROW charter bus trip to the Dayton Hamvention takes place on Saturday, May 17, 2014. It leaves at 4:30 AM from the Park and Ride lot in front of Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor. The bus arrives in Dayton when the doors open, and leaves when the doors close at 5:30 PM. The trip costs $65 and includes a light breakfast on the way down. We have LOTS of door prizes for bus riders!
If you haven’t yet purchased your ticket, find the link to the right to do so. Or you can just show up at 4:00 AM on May 17 and pay your money then. Enter the Park and Ride lot from South Main Street just south of West Stadium.
For those who are not making the trip to Dayton, the Monthly Egg Chew will take place on Saturday, May 17 at 9:00 AM at the Classic Cup Cafe on Jackson Road between Wagner and Zeeb. We do NOT have the back room reserved due to the small group who attend during Dayton weekend.
April Monthly Egg Chew
We will gather to share some good food and good conversation on Saturday, April 19, 2014, 9-11 AM at the Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor. Anyone interested in amateur radio is invited to join us. Family members and friends can come along too.
Last chance to get in on drawing for Dayton Hamvention tickets, prior to April ARROW meeting
The next meeting of the Arrow Communication Association will be on Wednesday, April 9, at 7:30 PM, Room BE-172 at Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor. We start gathering at 7 PM. At a brief business meeting, we will draw two winners of one Hamvention ticket each from all the people who have already purchased a Dayton Bus Trip ticket.
Next, Jerry Begel, W9NPI, will present his fourth “History of Telegraphy” lecture, called The Singing Arc–Unconventional Transmission Techniques.
He will again explore some “Things that we may have missed,” in a lively presentation that will cover:
the development of Needle and Sounder Telegraphy systems
Undersea Cable adventures
“What might have been:”
James Bowman Lindsey’s Underwater Wireless in the 1850s
Mahlon Loomis’ 1864 Aerial Communications Schemes (With his Redemption by cousin Mary Texanna Loomis)
Duddell’s Singing Arc experiments, with Poulsen’s refinements
Spinning Wheels: Yosami and Grimeton Stations in the 1920s, and why Mechanical Transmitters were essential throughout WW II.
I hope to see you there.
Mary Anne, W8VWY
A fun-filled weekend
This is a busy weekend for hams in these parts. On Saturday, March 15, there is the Arrow Monthly Egg Chew at the Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Road, in Ann Arbor. That runs from 9-11 AM.
For those in the mood to find some new (or old) equipment, the Crossroads Hamfest in Marshall will also be Saturday morning. Location is the Marshall Activity Center, 15325 W. Michigan Avenue in Marshall. It runs from 8 AM until noon. $5 admission.
On Sunday, the TMRA Hamfest will take place from 8 AM – 2 PM at Owens Community College Student Health and Activity Center, 30335 Oregon Road, Perrysburg, OH. $6 admission.
Happy eating and/or spending!
Monthly Arrow Meeting – Wednesday, March 12
The March meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 7:30 PM in or near room BE-172 at Washtenaw Community College. This is in the Business Education Building. We start gathering at 7 PM for eyeball QSOs. The program this month will be presented by Bill Becher, AA8RW, who will talk about Smith charts. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings. If you have any questions, call me at (734) 649-2722..
Mary Anne, W8VWY
Arrow Secretary
It’s time for the Monthly Egg Chew!
When: Saturday, January 18, 2014, 9:00-11:00 AM
Where: Classic Cup Cafe, 4389 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor
Who: ARROW members, friends, guests, and anyone interested in amateur radio
Why: Because we like to eat and talk, so we get together every month on the 3rd Saturday to do both in a casual atmosphere
Questions? Call Mary Anne at (734) 649-2722
New ARROW President!
At the Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, January 7, the board was very pleased to appoint Jack Spence, N8PMG, as the new ARROW President, following his agreement to accept the position. No candidates had stepped forward by the time of the election in December, so following the by-laws, an appointment was made. We are grateful to Jack for his willingness to lead the club.
Mary Anne, W8VWY
ARROW Secretary
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