March 8th (Sunday) Position assignments

Preliminary assignments for Sunday are now available:

(link updated 2020-03-07 and again 2020-03-07 19:45 to reflect changes due to road conditions)

Further assignment updates will be posted here, and affected individuals contacted by email.

All members of the public can view postings in this forum, and CARA members are able to subscribe for notifications of new postings here.

There is a timestamp on the bottom of the list "Updated: <yyyy-mm-dd HH:MM>", this will help once/if there are multiple versions.

Radio Operator Meeting -
Friday March 6th 2020
19:00 (7:00 PM)
Calgary Sports Car Club
4215 80th Ave NE Calgary

See you there!

Radio Configuration Guide

Here is a link to the Radio Configuration and Operation Guide for the rally. This document has the operating frequencies for the event as well as recommendations for effective communication practices. Please take careful note of the guidance for minimizing interference, especially as it pertains to cross-band configurations. An extra channel is added this year due to reliability concerns with some of the repeaters. This provides options in case of system problems.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lw2BnhEbmTPZFfBvtv0RcHnX-2iobY9I/view?usp=sharing

73,
Garry, VE6GDS

MAPS!

Here is map information for the upcoming Cochrane Winter Rally!

The file linked to here is in .kml format:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bK9CyTupC4qWmwOZ-RW-uaXaSewsG11h/view?usp=sharing

In the past, the .gpx version of this information has been requested, as it loads more readily into GPS units and APRS software. This is easy to do using any online converter. I use the one at the link below. (Note: I do have to manually change the file type to .gpx after I download the file from this site.)

https://kml2gpx.com/

The placemark labels begin with "CWR" which stands for "Cochrane Winter Rally". Using this prefix enables electronic tools, such as APRS, to collate all of this event's objects when they are sorted and reduce object name collisions with other users. It also makes it easier to differentiate this event's objects from others that may appear on the map.

Blocker and Control Point locations start with "CWRL" meaning "CWR Location". This allows us to differentiate a location from the operator(s) who may, or may not, be there at any given time. That is, a location exists on its own, regardless of whether or not anyone is there at the time. Again, this can be important for tools such as APRS. So, the location assigned to Blocker 310 is labelled as CWRL310. CWRLA is location Alpha. These examples should help you to understand the labelling scheme.

Please note the use of the new three digit blocker location numbering format. An explanation of how this works is provided in the updated "Radio Operations at Rallysport Events '101'" guide posted earlier in this forum.

Another new map feature is the set of CWRCTN?? placemarks. These refer to "CWR Caution" locations, near which drivers should exercise additional care due to road conditions or other hazards. Bear in mind that drivers should always be prepared for such things when at a rally venue, and these placemarks should not be considered an exhaustive list of all hazardous conditions. Nonetheless, these are some specific locations and stretches that warrant special attention. 

Finally, here are instructions about how to open a .kml file in Google Maps, in case you want to create your own detailed views.

https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-open-KML-files-in-the-Google-Maps

Stay tuned to this forum as more material will be posted over the next few days. 

Come out to the CARA VHF interest group on Feb 18 @ 7:30 PM @ Denny's on 19 ST NE for demonstrations of cross band repeater set up on a variety of radios -

Both of CARA's XBanding ICom IC-2720H will be there. 

WIlson has a great point and even if you don't have a cross band radio there is something to learn here.  If someone around your location is using cross band there is the opportunity to use that set up if you have a hand held radio.  Knowing how cross band works will aid you in using someones set up if needed.  There are subtle nuances to using cross band like pausing before speaking and not clipping your transmission.  Much to learn at this session and very timely for the rally.