ham radio operator's view of Fox Cities Marathon - 2010
Mile marker 25… right at the harbor in downtown Neenah, WI. On Pine and Wisconsin streets. An incredible view of maybe 20 moored sailboats. A bright red sky in the morning. Clouds breaking into a warm mid-day sun. Racers that had just run / walked / pedaled nearly either 13 or 26 miles. Racers that were discovering, many for the first time, what COULD be accomplished with training and heart. Some finding what really IS impossible. Fans (friends and family mostly) cheering them on. Racers returning to their cars to depart the race – in the shelter of silver space blankets given to them to protect their nearly naked bodies from the cold temps. Paramedics racing to aid racers from time to time. And lots of volunteers.
This ham radio operator from Appleton, Wisconsin volunteers for various public service events each year. I, along with 10 – 20 other ham radio operators, monitor the progress of racers during the 5 – 6 hour 26 mile marathon. Last year I functioned as the “net control operator”. The dispatcher, if you will, for the ham radio operator volunteers. This year I got to monitor mile marker 25. Each assignment has a different set of advantages, challenges and disadvantages. As the net control operator you get shelter. And you are involved in nearly every communication during the race. So it can get hectic. And sort of boring during lul times since there are no people near you – you are inside a communications trailer. At mile marker 25 I met several people, had some on-going conversations and got to interact more with racers going by. It was less hectic since I didn’t have to be involved in as many communications. And it was COLD! While the temps were not exactly frigid the relentless wind off the water chilled me to the bone by the end of the race. Zipping up my light winter jacket and pulling tight some of the wrist straps and waist bands also helped to quickly trap heat inside the jacket.
One nice thing happened each year. Racers, this time on the course – last time after the race – saw the radio antenna on my portable radio and made a point to saying, “Hey! Thanks for taking your Saturday to help us be able to run this race!”. That was pretty cool and much appreciated. But, really, that’s not why I do these sort of public service events.
One reason I do them is to learn and enhance network (many to many relationship) communication skills. While internet and book based training is good, and I have done a bit of each, there is nothing like “live fire” training to let you know really quickly where your strong and weak points are. I also enjoy the aspect of helping to look after the safety and welfare of runners on the course. While on the National Ski Patrol back in the day, I patrolled every weekend for ten years in all sorts of weather. The “guardian angel” aspect is a small bonus as are the thank you’s from the runners.
But the nicest thing from this year’s race? I had an awesome view of the last mile or so of the race and a great scenic harbor that I really enjoyed at sunup!
Jon Kreski, AB9NN
http://www.HamRadioResources.com
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