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WE'RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD
MARINE CORPS MARATHON VOLUNTEERS14 July 2010, Washington, D.C.
WHAT'S HAPPENING, WHAT TO EXPECT, WHAT YOU'LL NEED, AND HOW TO SIGN UP.Amateur Radio volunteers are still needed for the Marine Corps Marathon. For 32 years, Amateur Radio supported the Marines and, specifically, the U.S. Navy Medical commanders, to link their aid stations and to be "eyes and ears" on the 26.2-mile course.
Ham sign-up for the 35th running of the MCM opened the first part of June. But with year-over-year success for Amateur Radio has come increased responsibilities in race operations. Meeting those responsibilities drives the need for better preparation and training of volunteers; the time needed for preparation pushes the sign-up schedule.
We need to finish the initial sign-ups by the end of August to assure the ability to complete training and practice before the Marathon. That is why we are asking, if you are interested, to sign up now.
THE RACE
The mid-Atlantic region is fortunate to host one of the world's elite marathons. Last year MCM was fourth largest in the nation and eighth largest in the world. But it's more than size; runners want to be here: This year the MCM sold out its 30,000 runner slots in less than six days.
The MCM is a first-class volunteer public service event. As we all know, recognition and appreciation is essential in public service volunteering. The standing appreciation was never clearer than before the 2007 race, when the Marine Corps Marathon named the Amateur Radio Service for the Volunteer Group of the Year Award for its service since 1987. It also singled out Rick Bunn N4ASX and Tom Azlin N4ZPT for the duration and extent of their contribution to Ham radio's participation at the MCM.
The MCM is a unique opportunity to practice and learn emergency communications skills. The scope of unified operations of multiple Federal, military, state, and local jurisdictions is broader than most exercises will ever be. Volunteering for the MCM gives you emergency communications practice and training, in a best-practice incident management environment, on a real event, and more, that you can't get anywhere else.
The relationship between Amateur Radio and the U.S. Navy has become so strong that when the Amateur Radio leadership conducts its main pre-race briefing--on a weekend--the Navy's senior medical commanders and senior aid make time to attend and to personally brief Amateur Radio. In recent years, Navy and Marine leadership have come to us for technical help on communications issues.
The MCM offers its volunteers the enjoyment of giving valued and recognized public service, and it offers the challenge of outstanding emergency communications practice. Whether it's one or the other or both for you, you're cordially invited to help.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
What will you need? Whether bringing radios or not, you will need to plan. You will probably arrive to the check-in point at about 0300. From there, you will go to your assigned location and set up by or before 0700. Security is high; some assignments are earlier because they are in areas that lock down earlier. We go, regardless of weather, so follow forecasts and dress appropriately. There are port-a-johns on the course but not necessarily near every assigned position. If you need easy access, let your team lead know.
Most activity starts to wind down between 1300 and 1500. Assume you leave your home at 0100; when the race is over you will have been volunteering for 12 hours. If you want to realistically plan for an emergency, where Amateur Radio might be needed several hours beyond the end of the race, you could assume it might be 24 hours before you return home. More likely, periods of heavy, almost continuous operation deplete batteries faster than normal operations simply projected over a 24-hour period. Thus, while it is not mandatory, you will hear suggestions to be prepared to "operate 24 hours" or to have a "24-hour go kit", and that is why.
For most of the positions, you'll need a mobile radio, an antenna, a mast, and battery power with a goal of 24-hour operation if necessary. There are a few exceptions where an HT has been used in the past. There are also exceptions for the handful of net control operators who usually will not be operating their own radios.
You'll need personal supplies to support and nourish yourself. The race provides a box lunch; the quantity and quality is usually okay but can not be predicted so please bring some back up food.
For volunteers assigned to specialized positions, some will need to bring D-Star voice and data, some will need APRS, others will need 9600 Baud packet with a Windows, Linux, or Mac laptop that can run for 24 hours. Your team lead will provide specific requirements for each position on your team.
EXPERIENCED NET CONTROLS WANTED
Currently there is a need for experienced net control operators. Experienced means you have worked high-traffic public service nets, are familiar with running such a net, and have demonstrated flexibility to calmly handle the stress that results from a fluid, complex workload. For example, it is possible for a number of runners to become injured at about the same time. The NCS will have to prioritize and manage traffic from multiple personnel. If you are an experienced net control operator, please consider helping.
SIGNING UP
Although MCM race day is 31 October, the size of the event, and the remarkable increase of Amateur Radio's roles, require about 140 volunteer positions, and require all these positions to be assigned by 31 August. This aggressive timeline allows team leads to prepare and train their teams to fulfill the requirements of the overall MCM operational plan.
Monday 11 October is the Aid Station operations readiness exercise.
Saturday 23 October is the All Hands Meeting, location to be announced but usually the Armed Forces Retirement Home. You can meet your team leads, representatives of served agencies, and the key Navy medical commanders. You can network face-to-face with the other Hams who will be working the race with you. More than three-quarters of the operators attend this meeting.
How do you sign up? You sign up by completing two forms. The first step is to go here: http://ncacdc.com/
Follow directions, and the link to the Marine Corps Web site. Complete the Marine form.
After you complete and submit the Marine form, wait for the e-mail the Marine Corps Web site will send you confirming your successful completion of the Marine form. The confirming e-mail will include another link.
The second step is to follow the link in the confirming e-mail, to the Amateur Radio form. The Amateur Radio form lets you tell us what you will bring with you on race day: The radios, the car, the gear, the cell phone you will have--on race day.
After you complete and submit the Amateur Radio form, note and keep its URL link, so that you can you can return to it and update the form later with any changes.
ABOUT THE NCACDC
NCACDC, The National Capital Amateur Council, District of Columbia, are representatives of Amateur Radio Emergency Communications organizations including the American Radio Relay League's ARES(R), as well as the state, local, and municipal jurisdictions' RACES programs in the National Capital Region.
NCACDC works to improve mutual aid for its members, maintaining coordination and facilitating communication among regional volunteer emergency communications groups and activities. A standing committee of NCACDC participants functions as the leadership group for Amateur Radio's participation in the Marine Corps Marathon. See ncacdc.com.
William Hatfield W3QX w3qx@qsl.net
Jim Cross WI3N wi3n@arrl.org
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Page last updated - July 14, 2010