On Jun 8, 2022, at 5:05 PM, Nat 2733E N6BRV <njsarn9@...> wrote:



Lesson learned from communication during the San Diego 100 mile Ultra Endurance Marathon was that strong winds (swaying antenna) and unpredictable repeater performance  had a profound effect on the repeater reception (ACS-Races Red1).  Heavy static and background noise were always a challenge during day and night operations.

1) Using the AT 578 was intermittent which dictated (required) constant manipulation of the squelch setting. The Any Tone 578 though a great radio, doesn't have a continuous squelch control and the squelch setting could only be accessed through the menue. This was a major inconvenience and hindered operations.

2) I Brought an ICom 5100 (dual band dual monitor) to be used as a backup but turned out to be the primary and preferred radio because it had (2) dedicated continuous squelch control(s) one for each channel.

3) We could transmit to Net Control via the ACS Races repeater but could barely receive voice quality on listening.  So, we asked Net Control to reach us through another (SANDRA Lyons Peak) repeater. Pioneer Mail 1&2 aid station (that's us) Listening on Lyons peak and transmitted on ACS Races worked out well.

4) The antenna Diamond X50 was mounted on a tripod ~25' high and swang wildly in the 10-15 mph wind. It held up through the 30+ hours of operation. 

5) Altogether, there were 240 registered runners. A total of 121 runners (ages 21- 68) finished the race. The winner was a 58 year old man. 

6) I rendered First Aid to 2 persons a 28 y.o. women and 35 y.o. man (@ 2am and @ ~3am) both suffer severe dehydration and hypothermia. I provided Glucose powder and a solution was made and given orally by the Aid station staffs. (Glad I took ARC Wilderness First aid class offered by BSA) Both persons were dropped from the race.

7) Power was not an issue, 120v AC was supplied by the Sprinter Van equipped with 800ah LiFePO4 (4x 200ah) batteries with Victron 2000 Watt Inverter-Charger and 350 Watt rooftop mounted flex Solar panels. 

8) The wind chill factor was quite pronounced at night, we had to use two layered winter coats. 5,000 feet elevation was a contributor. 

73'Nat S N6BRV 

Left to right: Alan KN6SRD. Lisa KJ6LLE, Per AJ6PJ, Nat N6BRV,  Bob AI6KU