RMR Recce Trip

Six brave souls headed out before the crack of dawn last Saturday to Recce the RMR stages in Radium. The crew consisted of Brett, Steve, Alan, Art, myself oh and Mel who needed coaxing to be on the air. The weather warnings were dire but we were determined or perhaps crazy. The trip out was snowy but overall not an issue.

We arrived in Radium in good order and had a quick break at Steamboat Café. Highly recommend the sesame bagel! We split up and sent Art off to Invermere while we headed into the stages. Weather was raining off an on but nothing to be bothered about.

As we travelled, it was discovered that simplex in the valley is amazing. We were able to speak clearly with Art from Alpha. Over the weekend we only found on spot that simplex was a bit weak. I tested out the spectator trail and met the crew on Forster. Alan held up at Alpha and we began propagation testing. Again simplex was solid from Alpha through all blockers to Bravo and back to Invermere.

Once we cleared Alpha to Bravo we split up. I went north from Bravo to Echo. The remainder of the team went to Charlie where I would meet up with them for Steamboat.

My trip north involved some selective driving under fallen trees but no real issues. One again simplex back to Invermere was great all the way to Echo. I met the group at Charlie and we left Alan there.

Steamboat Mountain proved to have a few fun parts but we made all made it over to Delta. Propagation on simplex was solid as could be. We had also tested VE7RIN with good results. Met up with Alan and then later Art.

After a long day, we headed for dinner and a recap of things we learned. So far simplex and repeater are all possible from all points. VE7RIN has a tone of 88.5 now.

Sunday started off with the thought that a short day lay ahead as we only needed to run Alpha to Echo. We brought Art up to Alpha and then proceeded north. I was sent to Echo to confirm communication across the stage blocker locations. I again navigated the trees and took a few small ones down as the team had some taller vehicles.

Steve, Alan and Brett/Mel began working north toward me. It became clear my vehicle is a lot lower than I thought. Alan was a victim of the trees as his antenna fell off and a branch pulled the cable out. After that issue, it became time to get the saws out. The three amigos and Mel set to work clearing overhead trees in an effort to proceed north to me. After many hours our short day was not so short. We concluded testing and met back up with Art at the four way junction.

Snowy drive home with some bears on the side of the road and we are all back in Calgary again.