The Kananaskis Performance Rally (KPR) is next month, and we'll need all our radio operators to be prepared for the day.

Below you will find a link to the Radio Operations at Rallysport Events '101' Guide. If you are new to rally radio operations, or you have been away from the scene for a while, then this document is made just for you! The guide was written to help radio operators get comfortable with the sights and sounds of rally day action. 

At the pre-op briefing, we assume that everyone is familiar with the contents of this guide.

Rally Radio Operations 101 Guide

Hello Rally Radio Operators!

Below are links to documents that you can use to start getting ready for the upcoming Kananaskis Performance Rally.

• First, the Packing and Preparation Guide is a generic checklist that each radio operator should review to ensure readiness for the event.
• Second, the Vehicle Preparation Supplement is focused on getting a vehicle ready for a rally event.

These guides are oriented at new or returning folks and also serve as secondary checklists for others. The material was provided by some of our most seasoned field radio operators. Most items on these lists are recommendations and suggestions, but a few are required.

Here are links for the documents:

Packing and Preparation Guide

Vehicle Preparation Supplement

Keep checking this blog regularly. More materials and information will be posted here soon. I hope that we'll see you at the upcoming Kananaskis Performance Rally!

Volunteer registration for the Kananaskis Rally (KPR) is available.

Instructions posted in other locations may be inaccurate for Radio Operator volunteers.

Please use the following instructions:

• email address:  The Google Forms tool requests your email address.  You do not need a google account for this registration.  This is the address that we will use to contact you event related messages, and is also the address that it will send your registration receipt to.   The receipt contains a link to edit your own response should you need to do so later.
  
• Contact and Emergency Contact information:  these are used to reach you regarding the event.  In an emergency, we may notify your contact on your behalf, or inform first responders.
• Callsign: provide one government assigned callsign that you intend to use for the rally.
  
• Communications Team:  Please make this selection for the question 'Which volunteer team are you registering for?'
• Questions:  The registration form has some more generic contact information shown in it.  Please contact us at the email addresses at the top of this blog page. 
  
• There is a free format question near the end of the form for information or concerns that you believe were not addressed elsewhere.

This URL will take you to the volunteer registration form:

https://forms.gle/ynCu6dD3cU8tmbHz9

We hope that you will join us for a great time at the Kananaskis Rally!

Save the Date!

It is great to be getting back into the regular patterns of life after all the troubles caused by the COVID pandemic. Let's hope that this virus is going to stay in our rear view mirrors!

Looking forward into the autumn, here's a heads-up for your calendars:

Planning has started for the Kananaskis Performance Rally (KPR). The intended date is Sunday, 30 October. We'll be back in the Jumping Pound / Powderface area of Kananaskis Country, West of Calgary.

Watch this forum for further information at it comes available.

73,
Garry, VE6GDS

Please send all requests for reimbursement for a Kananaskis Pass by email to treasurer <at> cscc.ab.ca  along with a copy of the pass.

Rocky Mountain Rally 2022 Communications Crew

For the communications crew we had 26 volunteers including 2 Net Controllers and 2 for Radio Support and Radio Coordinator. In addition to the blocker and control point roles - one deployed and tended to VE6RNQ, one in the Ambulance, two supported the Communications Trailer deployment and were available in the Service area.

It was a good mixture of experienced operators, and a first time for a few.

The day had an exciting start, and then carried on mostly as expected. A little bit chilly up Moose Mountain Road, and dusty down below. The weather forecast changed between the pre-op briefing and event day with the forecasted rain holding off delivering a great day to be out in Kananaskis.

Some of this area is challenging for RF, and the area delivered it's challenge again on rally day. We had strategically placed the VE6RNQ portable repeater at a location on Moose Mountain Road where it would reach most of the south end of Powderface Trail and also had simplex reach to Net Control. This was a valuable asset and a contingency that worked as intended, and we will plan on doing the same again next time in this area.

There were a couple of locations that had more trouble reaching VE6RNQ - and some possible solutions to those are being contemplated. It is a tough problem, and any input is definitely welcome. We are looking forward to hearing from anybody who deployed or experimented with directional antennas - those are one of the options that might be part of a solution.

Equipment issues were not a problem for this crew. Before the event, there were a couple of items that came up with deploying the communications trailer - one was a problematic lock on the unit. The amount of tooling that was ready to show up, and that did show up to deal with it made quick work of that problem. During the event, one operator had noticed a misbehaving microphone - while properly stowed, the PTT was still occasionally being engaged. Once noticed, spare equipment was brought online and the issue resolved.

‘Two is one, one is none.’ is not trite - we live this every event in some way or another.

We were even able to help out a member of the public in a small way. A hiker had come to the area early and, on returning to their vehicle, discovered both the road closure and also that they had locked their keys in their car. A phone call was relayed by Radio Support, and arrangements made to drop off spare keys at one of the control points. 000 executed a dramatic tactical turnaround to be able to retrieve and then get the keys to their destination.

This event was a good introduction to a new net controller - Bob VA6BM. Net Control handled the challenging conditions and some split channel operations really well. True professionals.

There was also a trial with a Starlink endpoint in the Service area and near Net Control. An internet based link is used for managing RallySafe data - and being able to keep a RallySafe operator close to Net Control has been a desirable thing for a long time. Initial reports are that this worked very well.

And finally, our estimate on a final check out time - after being adjusted for the stage timing - was out by only 10 minutes. Thank you to all of the volunteers who stuck with the check out procedure (which was all of you) - we KNOW that everybody who wanted to get out of the area did so successfully.

73,

Dana Harding, VA6DJH

Garry Spicer, VE6GDS

From the registrar:

The insurance company has mandated electronic waivers for all participants and volunteers at events.

Below is the link for the volunteer waiver, can you please share it with your Radio marshals for Rocky and ask them to sign by Thursday the 26th so we have time to check the list.

https://calgarysportscc.speedwaiver.com/bqqqs

Thanks

Debbie Dyer

2022 Rocky Mountain Rally Registrar

2022-05-25 23:31: see bottom for updated Radio Operator Assignments v06 (modifications indicated with yellow background on changed areas)

The Radio Operator Handbook version 5 is available here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZX8cs31Tld0X1p0xlpT10xNtPL15YBUK/view?usp=sharing

Excerpts from this (these are already in the handbook):

Log sheets (fillable PDF) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RCBb7PNihC5wyVQ-K5Gz1NTRWq0MIfHS/view?usp=sharing

Operator Assignments (v06 - posted 2022-05-25 23:31) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T5QhXvEm1l0nQ0MzYRaVxiNZf-Kk4P45/view?usp=sharing

Zoom information for the radio operator meeting has been posted on the event calendar: https://caraham.org/event-4837270

The event maps are now available!

It is strongly recommended that radio operators use GPS based navigation on rally day.

The files provided below are intended to help with this part of your rally day. Keep in mind that cell coverage is poor in these areas, so be sure to download map tiles to your device prior to rally day.

These maps are in KML format. They are not image files! If you need them in GPX format (some GPS devices require this) or you would like them in a CSV to import into a spreadsheet, then I suggest using one of the online converter services available on the Internet. If you want image files, then I suggest making them with an appropriate application that can import KML format (Google Earth, Bing Maps...).

Contrary to rumour, there are no deliberate deceptions or hidden limitations in these files. While I am as subject to human error as anyone, I have taken steps to ensure that this information is as accurate as possible. I even scan my computer with a reputable anti-malware program to reduce the chances of spreading computer viruses. However, the utility that you obtain from these files will be closely associated with the software that you use to read and display the GPS data within them. I generally use APRSIS32 or YAAC. Some people report success with a program called Gaia. In any case, be sure that you understand your GIS software, its features, and its requirements.

First is a KML with just the field operator locations (blockers and control points).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SGQr7CRBvSTh7thRvh4RFED6Mi60EfB8/view?usp=sharing

Second is a KML with the routes (roads), places of significance, and waypoints. These items are marked to help you navigate to, from, and around the venue.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O-R0ghVwVKDSO2ejH6MvZQK4scSZEHC4/view?usp=sharing

It is possible for changes to occur between now and the rally, so keep watch in this blog for possible updates.

73,
Garry, VE6GDS