Assignment descriptions are outlined below: 

SAG WAGON Assignments:
We have many student volunteers signed up and some of them will need to be driven to their location on the course.  Those dropped off, will also need to be picked up again, so try to keep track of whom you give a ride to and bring back so we’ll have some record of whom we helped.

During the event, SAG Wagons will be used to pick-up walkers who cannot continue.  The dropout rate can be high if the temperature that morning is high.  If the weather is cool, we won’t have too many people needing rides back to the park.

We will begin delivering students at 08:30 AM and retrieving them as the last walker progresses past their position along the route. David Sawyer K1DRS will be sweeping the course to tell us where the last-walker passed.  This information will tell SAG wagons where they can pick-up students to return to the start line.

In between drop-offs and pick-ups, SAG Wagons will standby to retrieve walkers who need a ride back to the start line. Where the SAG wagons should park is a judgment call.  In simple terms, SAGs can be most effective if they move into position behind the last walker as the event begins to close.  In between, they are probably best stationed at a rest stop or at event the park.

SAG Wagons will primarily operate on 446.400 Simplex with no PL or by cell phone.

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Rest Stop Assignments:
Hams in rest stops provide a communication link between the rest stops and the event organizers. Typically, the types of messages handled are request for more supplies, rides back to the start line and request for minor medical help.

Often, rest stop captains get so busy with the walkers that they don't always notice to ask for more supplies until they are almost out. This is where hams at rest stops can help us anticipate the demand by talking with the rest stop captains before the supplies run out.

Most of the rest stops are in parks and you might not be able to place your vehicle close enough to be effective. This means you might need to be away from your vehicle with a hand-held radio. Hand-held radios running 5-watts work well from all rest stops and will allow you stand near the rest stop table. If you want to sit while on station, consider having a chair available in case the rest stop area doesn't have any seating.

Rest Stops will primarily operate on 446.400 Simplex with no PL.

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Local Area, Tunnel & Parking Control:
Richard Tidd, KE6HNY, is going to direct our activities and communications for these areas. 

Tunnel control is responsible for releasing walkers out onto the course. All walkers will need to pass through a small underground walkway near the train tunnel where the flow of people should be regulated so nobody is hurt in the tunnel.

Parking control questions and concerns that arise in the Stanford Shopping Center and at the cross walk connecting it to El Camino Park will find this year’s assignment challenging.  We don’t have enough allocated parking spaces available in our designated area.  Our plan is to ask people to park at the opposite end of the shopping center or in parking areas near the course.  Locations of where people might be able to park will be handed out in the morning.

Tunnel & Parking Control hams will operate on 147.575 Simplex with no PL. 

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Motor Assignments:
Motorcycles are the roving ears and eyes of this event. They are almost always the first to arrive on a need that occurs outside of the starting area and rest stops. All of the motorcycles on this event are equipped with dual-band ham radios and can work all the frequencies we will be using.

In bicycle events, most participants wear "Bib-numbers for identification. Walkers aren't issued bibs, but will be issued a wrist strap that we will attempt to get on the left wrist of every walker. If any of the volunteers notices a walker without a wrist strap, encourage them to wear it so we can know whom we are trying to support.

Motorcycles will primarily operate on 446.400 Simplex with no PL.

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Critical Intersections Assignments:
Difficult intersections can cause safety and directional problems for walkers, which is why we place so many student monitors along the course.  When we fall short of course monitors and when the intersection might be dangerous, like the one on our course where the Stop sign is missing, we'll need to place ham operators at these locations to reduce risks.

It isn't likely we will have enough people for all the assignments.  If you are assigned to one location can also help with a critical intersection when your initial assignment completes, please let us know.

Motorcycles will primarily operate on 446.400 Simplex with no PL.

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Net Control Operations:
Is stationed at the start/finish line where assignments will alternate between handling course and local traffic questions. All course communications will go through net control and be logged. When request for help or supplies are received we will be sure the person responsible for servicing the needs are informed, or dispatch to your location.

Net Control will operate on 446.400 Simplex with no PL, 147.575 Simplex with no PL and on the Stanford Repeater's 145.230 Minus, PL=100 frequencies.

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All Ham radio operators:
Years of experience in working these events has shown people find us more approachable when they see our names displayed. Each ham should bring a badge that displays their name or ask for one when they check in with Net Control in the morning.  Richard Tidd is making badges for everyone, so nobody should be without a badge.

SAG Wagons, Rest Stop operators and Motorcycles will be given signs to place on their vehicles to identify them as being part of the event. David Sawyer K1DRS will distribute signs near the Net Control station.

A Safety-vest will help those on motorcycles and in all traffic control roles. If you have a vest, be sure to bring it. For those of you who need a vest, I'll have some at the net control station you can sign-out for this event, but be sure to return any vest you borrow.

Consider bringing your own sun block with a hat and long sleeve shirt in case your assigned location isn't shaded.