The Loudoun Amateur Radio Group Of Northern Virginia & Its Radio Station K4LRG

Conditions | Web Resources | Fast-Nav
| 9-11 2001 | Isabel 2003 |
| Dulles EDD 2004 | PR Dulles EDD 2004 | Hamilton Emergency Fair 2004 | Code Orange 2005 | VERTEX 2007 | Dulles EDD 2007 |
| FNL 2000 | FNL 2001 | FNL 2002 | FNL 2003 | FNL 2004 | FNL 2005 | FNL 2006 | FNL 2007 | FNL 2008 | FNL 2009 | FNL 2010 |
| Reston Century Ride | Hike For Hope 2004 | March Of Dimes Walk 2006 | Poker Run 2000 | Leesburg Repeater |
| Country Side Fair 2003 | Potomac Station Safety 2005 | Purcellville Library 2006 | Rust Library Display 2005 |
| User Operational Capabilities Requirements 2002 |
  
The LOGO of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service - An organization of the American Radio Relay League.

Communications Support
For Riders Of The
2010 Reston Century

The LOGO of the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group of Northern Virginia.

Another Loudoun Amateur Radio Emergency Service & Loudoun Amateur Radio Group
Communications Operation



Riders Arrive At Hamilton Station

This was the 28th Annual Reston Bicycle Club's Century Ride on the trails and roads of Loudoun County. Reston Century Photographs - Click Here. Again, this was a big event with as many as eleven-hundred riders traveling across Loudoun County. See RBC Stat Report. Riders chose between a 34, 62 or 100 mile route with the longer ones going deep into the heart of Western Loudoun County. Again this year, the Loudoun County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group (LARG) provided on-site and on-route communications support for this operation. This was our eleventh year supporting the Century Ride. Gary Quinn - NC4S, Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Loudoun ARES coordinated with the Reston Bicycle Club and led this communications support and directed the communications operations from his home station near Waterford, Virginia. On August 17, 2010, Gary - NC4S issued the Operations Plan that was published on K4LRG.ORG and at 1900 hours, August 19, 2010, there was an on-the-air coordination net to finalize planning. We met on-the-air on WA4TXE - 146.700 MHz Repeater.

Twenty-five members and friends of the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group volunteered and supported this operation:

Cheryl Beuning - KØCJB
Carol Boehler - KF4TJJ
Dennis Boehler - KF4TJI
Maitland Bottoms - AA4HS
Nancy Dluehosh - N1NCY
Paul Dluehosh - N4PD
Zachary Epperson - KD8OHO
Jay Greeley- KI4UTB
Steve Greene - KS1G
Luther Guise - K5NOB
Jay Ives - KI4TXP
Doug Johnson - KJ4BRN
Rick Miller - AI1V
Gary Quinn - NC4S
Kurt Reber - KI4FWB
Bill Robbins - KJ4VTH
Mark Schutt - KI4CTR
Bryan Stephens - KG4UPR
Tania Stephens
Norm Styer - AI2C
Ken Sullivan - KJ4GYL
Anna Tyrlik - KJ4EOS
Z Tyrlik - KU1T
Trisha Wells - KI4PCM
John Westerman - WB5ODJ

Portable stations were operated at the Reston Town Center, the Ashburn Rest Stop and the Hamilton Rest Stop. A cross-band repeater at Rick Miller - AI1V's Reston home QST was used to talk out of the Reston Town Center and across Loudoun County. A Net Control Station was operated by Gary Quinn - NC4S from his home QTH near Lovettsville. Four SAG vehicles were equipped with mobile radios and GPS units. An Automatic Position Reporting System was used to track the SAG vehicles and assist in locating route riders. Three amateur radio operators equipped with radios and some APRS/GPS equipment rode the routes with their bicycles. Net Control tied all this activity together. Many folks ask for SAG assistance to the next rest stop or a repair of equipment if possible. There was at least one 911 assisted event. Operations started well before sunrise and by 5 PM most riders had cleared the western routes and were closing on the Reston Town Center. All in all, it was nice day and most everyone had a nice ride.

This gif is Royalty Free Copyrighted Animated Gifs for Non-Commercial Use only. de http://www.gifs.net/animate/giflist.htm The Reston Town Center    -   Start ~ Finish




Reston Town Center Station
Z - KU1T With A Early Breakfast

RESTON TOWN CENTER REPORT BY Rick - AI1V.   "AI1V and KU1T arrived on site at 0530. We were on the air immediately as we could use handhelds through the cross-band repeater at AI1V's QTH. We needed no other rigs all day.

We set up the shelter, hung the banner and the large size course map that KF4TJI provided, set up table and chairs, and were all settled in by 0545.

We also met up with KI4PCM, the Reston Bike club's representative and very capable ham. We contacted net control and were hearing all fixed stations very well through the cross-band repeater. We reported the first riders on the course at 0628. AI1V set up an APRS station on receive only and hooked up a PC with a map so we could track SAG vehicles. It worked pretty well considering the antenna was very low. A little later KJ4VTH joined us and we had lots of manpower and not much to do! We handled some tactical traffic with reporting riders arriving at the different sites, lost keys, disposition of trash, etc. We also listened to the incredible job done by NCS and the outlying stations coordinating SAG vehicles. They kept very busy and provided a valuable service."



Bill - KJ4VTH & Trisha - KI4PCM


Rick - AI1V & Trisha - KI4PCM

"Having Trish, KI4PCM, on the air was remarkably efficient. She was able to answer most questions directly and authoritatively, so no "middle-man" was needed. As a result, the rest of us had a very light workload.

The shelter, banner, and especially the course map along with the APRS display generated a fair amount of interest from passers-by. We handed out a number of pamphlets and answered quite a few questions. We were also interviewed by a local web reporter who put some information on-line, so it was a successful public relations event.

Many thanks to Z, Bill, and Trish for making the day smooth and enjoyable!

Rick - AI1V - Reston Town Center Captain"

This gif is Royalty Free Copyrighted Animated Gifs for Non-Commercial Use only. de http://www.gifs.net/animate/giflist.htmThe Ashburn Station


ASHBURN STATION REPORT BY JAY - KI4TXP.  "The Ashburn Station was set up and ready to go at 0615. We had, Anna - KJ4EOS and Luther - K5NOB helping out. Net Control was loud and clear all day. Hamilton was up and down. At least 50% of the time we were unable to copy them. Reston was fair. We could copy them but there seem to be noise on most of their transmissions. Next year, I will add another section to my mast and that should take care of those problems.

The first bikers arrived at 0700. From that point on we had a steady stream stopping by. At around 0930 we had our major incident. A biker was hit by a car and had to be taken to the hospital. Those involved used 911. As a result we were not directly involved. Anna, did head out to the accident scene to pick up the bike for the rider. It turned out that it was further away than she thought. She then met up with her father, Z - KU1T, and got a ride back to our station.

We had one phone call, that was taken by the lead person at Ashburn that a rider needed some minor first aid. We contacted NC and one of the SAG vehicles took care of it.

We closed our Station at 1630.

Needless to say this was another successful endeavor for LARG. Looking forward to next year. Jay - KI4TXP"

This gif is Royalty Free Copyrighted Animated Gifs for Non-Commercial Use only. de http://www.gifs.net/animate/giflist.htmThe Hamilton Station




The Hamilton Station Crew
  
Denny - KF4TJI Carol - KF4TJJ Paul - N4PD Nancy - N1NCY Bryan - KG4UPR & XYL

HAMILTON STATION REPORT BY NORM - AI2C:  "We were on site by 0615 hours and completed assemble of the antennas and stations and were operational by 0715 hours. A pair of Diamond verticals and mobile dual-band radios were used for the 2-meter net and for APRS.  There was better coverage this year on APRS with the larger Diamond antenna but there was still a blind spot for the southwest routes. And, as reported by Jay, Ashburn was not always solid copy. We used the packet messaging feature of APRS to stir up some activity with NCS and Reston but it was more of secondary capability. There was plenty of good help and Carol - KF4TJJ, Denny - KF4TJI, Paul - N4PD, Nancy - N1NCY, and Zachary Epperson - KD8OHO took turns keeping a log and handling coordination. Most of the SAG vehicles visited and staged from Hamilton; so, there was always some coordination going on. After lunch, Bryan - KG4UPR and his XYL, Tania, arrived and visited with everyone. It was great to see everyone and to offer assistance to the riders. Most  who get to Hamilton are old hands but a few are worm out or scratched up from a spill and arranging transportation or other assistance was prime activity. By 1530 hours the western routes had been swept by the SAGs and we were given permission to close station. Thanks to all who help at Hamilton. Best Regards - Norm - AI2C"



Waiting For The Riders At Hamilton Station



Hamilton APRS Station



Hamilton 2-Meter FM Station


Dual Watch


Reston Century APRS Stations



Riders Arriving Around 8 AM At Hamilton
VHF Station Antennas Mounted on Opposite Ends Of The Shelter



Lots of Action At Hamilton Station
  
Zach - KD8OHO, Denny - KF4TJI, Carol - KF4TJJ, Nancy - N1NCY, Paul - N4PD, and Bryan - KG4UPR & Tania




Lots Of Chow At Hamilton Station



On Site Repair




Hamilton's Best Stand By


There Was Always A Line



Hamilton Is A Very Nice Place To Spent Some Relaxing Time

This gif is Royalty Free Copyrighted Animated Gifs for Non-Commercial Use only. de http://www.gifs.net/animate/giflist.htmOn The Road Again


"Steve Green - KS1G of Herndon along with Maitland - AA4HS and Mark - KI4CTR rode the routes. This is at least Steve's sixth year on the Reston Century.  Here is Steve in 2004 at Hillsboro. This year Steve had an improved radio, GPS and APRS station strapped to his bicycle. Hamilton Station had pretty good copy on his APRS signal out to about 5-miles."



Steve Green - KS1G On The Road Again
Notice His Fully Equipped Voice & APRS Station



KS1G's Dual-Band Bike Mobile




Dual Watch




Nicely Packed

This gif is Royalty Free Copyrighted Animated Gifs for Non-Commercial Use only. de http://www.gifs.net/animate/giflist.htmSAG Route Support


"Hamilton is central to western Loudoun County and everyone who makes it past Ashburn come here at least once. Loudoun Amateur Radio Group deployed four Comm Units with the Reston Century SAG Units: SAG-1 Jay Greeley - KI4UTB, SAG-2 Doug Johnson - KJ4BRN, SAG-3 Kurt Reber - KI4FWB, and SAG-4 Cheryl Beuning - KØCJB. There is lots of bicycle traffic and with it comes tried riders or those who need assistance from a spill or a blown tire. Thus, the SAGs come and go all day from Hamilton. By noon, stuff starts to happen and by 1300 hours some need rides back east."



Doug Johnson - KJ4BRN
SAG-2 Commo





Kurt Reber - KI4FWB
SAG-3 Commo

This gif is Royalty Free Copyrighted Animated Gifs for Non-Commercial Use only. de http://www.gifs.net/animate/giflist.htmNet Control Station at NC4S


Net control for the Reston Century Radio Nets was established at the home of Gary Quinn - NC4S southeast of Lovettsville. It was manned by Gary, John - WB5ODJ and Ken - KJ4GYL. It was up on the air early at 0600 hours. It commanded super coverage of the operating area. Operations were conducted on the 2-Meter FM Net and the 2-Meter APRS Net. Plus, the land line was used a a backup and SAG and riders could call in via cell phones for assistance. Net control would then use the radio nets to coordinate assistance.




Net Control Station - NC4S
John - WB5ODJ and Gary - NC4S  Receive Assistance Request From A Rider Via a Cell Phone Call


As usual, Hamilton closes first after the western routes are swept. Then, when most riders are estimated to have arrived or pasted Ashburn, NCS turns the action over to Ashburn Station and then finally, to Reston Town Center to raps it up. This year, Close Station March Order was around 1715 hours. It was a nice operation.

It was nice riding with you all.     Best Regards, Norm - AI2C

Station Captain Reports were provided by Rick Miller - AI1V for Reston Town Center operations and Jay Ives - KI4TXP for the Ashburn Station.
Photographs were provided by Paul Dluehosh - N4PD, Rick Miller - AI1V, Ken Sullivan - KJ4GYL, and Norm Styer - AI2C. Specific photographic credit is in 'Title Tab' that pops up when your cursor is over a photograph.

About Us | Site Map | Contact Us | Established 13 September 1999, Copyright 1999-2010, All Rights Reserved by Loudoun Amateur Radio Group. See Credits Published In Announcements Section. Internet Hosting Provided As A Public Service By  MicroNeil Research Corporation