Update

Hi Harry. Yes, there was quite a bit of snow out there, but the three of us made it down all three of the course roads and back without any significant problems. People who indicated on their registrations that they have capable vehicles and feel confident driving them will likely be the ones posted to the more distant field locations on Rally Day. However, the roads were in decent shape when we were there. Even less capable vehicles should be able to get in to the first few field locations off of the highway without too much trouble. Regardless, there were amazing views out there! Everyone should bring a camera when going out to the Rally.

We'll see if the Rally Master decides to use all of the assigned field locations or not. It will also be up to the Rally Master to decide if the Ambulance gets sent in to all the course roads or not. I'll be updating this forum as information becomes available, so stay tuned everyone.

The sign I saw at the Service / Rally Net Control location still called the rec area "Fallen Timber". Perhaps it has changed on some other maps.

As far as I know, this rally will not be using RallySafe. It's unfortunate for anyone wanting to follow the event remotely.

The intent is to use the VE6GAB repeater for one of our channels. I'll be publishing the Radio Configuration Guide with all of the related information soon.

Also, the earlier request for a snowmobile has been rescinded. We have found another approach to addressing our concerns and a trip to the repeater site is no longer planned.

Finally, if anyone else is planning to sign up for the event, please go to the RallyWest site and get your name in there right away. I'll be downloading the information and preparing the assignment roster soon.

73,

Garry, VE6GDS 

Update - Signal Testing

Ray (VE6LG), Dana (VA6DJH), and Garry (VE6GDS) spent the afternoon of Sat, 17 Feb in the Waiparous Region doing some signal testing for the CWR 2018. It was a great day of pushing through the snow, checking out the radio gear, and testing our navigation skills. The roads were definitely snowy and summer tires would not have been a good choice! With the exception of some locations far from the highway, however, the roads did seem generally well maintained and navigable (...better than I can say for Crowchild Trail lately!). In fact, we had to dodge the road grader on a few occasions!

Our testing demonstrated some very viable configurations for both repeater use and simplex communications, with enough redundancy to handle most single and dual failure modes for our radio infrastructure on Rally Day. The CARA temporary repeater VE6RNQ will likely make another showing at this event, so stay tuned for more information to come on this.

Here are some photos taken from around the venue. It's really very beautiful country out there and I hope everyone is eager to take in the view.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/syz7i912xyybfqa/IMG_20180217_1550367.jpg?dl=0

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/s0xvbp5rp6i4qim/IMG_20180217_1552328.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yo1fs150nbxgkbr/IMG_20180217_1612473.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fgtj4fmf95539fj/IMG_20180217_1620240.jpg?dl=0

Also, keep in mind the upcoming Radio Operator pre-op briefing on 02 March.

73,

Garry, VE6GDS

Snowmobile Needed

We're currently seeking someone who has a snowmobile to help transport a tech crew to a repeater site. A configuration change would help ensure that one of our repeaters performs well for Rally Day, and that change can only be made onsite. If you have a snowmobile and would be willing to help out with this, please let me know or contact Ray Bourne (VE6LG) directly.

Thanks,

Garry, VE6GDS

Wide Area Map

Here is a link to a Wide Area View map for the Cochrane Winter Rally. For those of you who have done this event before, I don't think there will be any surprises. For those who are new to this rally, this map will give you a wide area perspective on where the event takes place. More detailed maps will follow as soon as the information is released by the event organizers.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/66knm8459j2db79/Wide%20Area%20Map%20v1.pdf?dl=0

73,

Garry, VE6GDS

Quick Update

I see we have our first half dozen Radio Operator volunteers registered - right on! We'll still need plenty more, though, so let's keep that ball rolling. I understand from the lead organizer of the rally that we'll likely need a few more blockers than last year, as they intend to extend one of the race legs.

It looks like we'll be using the CARA Comms trailer this year for Rally Net Control. So, some of our people are already hard at work getting that unit ready. We also have a couple of our top technical folks checking into the repeaters to verify coverage and reliability. The CARA temporary repeater is likely to be part of our infrastructure again, too. Thanks go out to the CARA Repeater Team for their support of this event.

Great work everyone. It looks like we'll have a really fun event this year. Keep checking this forum regularly for updates. There will be plenty more material coming out as we get closer to the event.

73,

Garry, VE6GDS