Merritt BC - September 26 - 28, 2019
Four NORAC members volunteered at the Pacific Forest Rally, September 26 - 28, 2019.
Mike VE7KPZ and Jane VE7WWJ assisted with reconnaissance control on Thursday the 26th. This was a fun volunteer position as they were able to chat with each driver/co-driver pair and really get to know the competitors.
On Friday and Saturday, Mike and Jane worked as radio control operators at the spectator locations on the Kirby, Helmer and Spius stages. Here they coordinated with the local rally marshals and officials via FRS. Radio traffic to/from rally net control was facilitated via HAM VHF.
On Friday and Saturday, Karl VE7ZDL and Fern worked as radio control operators in blocker locations on the Swakum, Helmer and Brookmere stages... and additionally as transport for a stranded driver and co-driver Saturday evening. They primarily communicated with rally net control via HAM VHF.
Karl also spent considerable time washing his SUV. As a blocker, one needs to travel the same dirt roads that the rally cars travel. Those roads this weekend were wet dirt, snow-covered dirt and slushy dirt.
Mike and Jane were joined by their nephew Tristan, who volunteered as an official marshal for the event.
As of right now, the event highlight video has been posted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rckhleXEKKg
Once the official event video is posted, this article will be updated. Also, look for some pictures in this article over the next couple of days.
It was fun,
FYI,
Mike VE7KPZ
NORAC Vice-President 2017-2019, technical team member and PFR radio volunteer
Ps: if you would like to volunteer as a radio operator for a future rally, the next event is Big White Winter Rally in early December. Get your volunteer registration in early. ;)
Pps: here's a look at Mike VE7KPZ's shack for the event - the Unimog's camper, affectionately named the Lunchbox (by Garry Garbutt VE7EIY). The Yaesu FTM-7250D mobile (running 50 watts for VE7IRN into a 5/8 VHF whip on a NMO magmount on a steel cookie sheet laying on the camper's aluminum roof) is actually being powered by Mike's LiFePO4 portable pack (and protected by the Victron Smart BatteryProtect 65). FRS coordination of spectator marshalls is handled via the cute little Midland FRS/GMRS HT.
