The Reston Bike Club Ride Across Loudoun County
Arcola Support Site

The team of Angie - KF4AVR, Tom - NA4MA and JD - KG4HYH provided 2 Meter communications from Arcola. The station configuration was Tom's mobile 2-Meter radio and a mobile whip installed on his pickup. They usually had the second strongest signal as received in Reston. Arcola was the first stopping point for the bike riders and several urgent food and water requirements were generate early in the operation. It was also the first site to close at 1240 hours and have its extra food and water moved to Ashburn where everyone was stopping before taking the last leg back to Reston. There was always someone near the mike and ready to help.

Ashburn Support Site

Larry - KG4CGR and Chester - WA9LAZ teamed up to operate from the Ashburn site. They did a super job as did all operators. Ashburn was the last stop on all return routes to the Reston Town Center and so was a very busy location, required the most supplies, and  was the last out station to close. The configuration of the VHF station will Larry's Icom 706 and a 5/8-wave vertical; it worked very well.. Larry - KG4CGR also operated his Icom 706 on 40 Meter Band with a Ham Stick Whip Antenna; his signal was weak and at times unreadable. A dipole antenna would have improved the link.

This is the Ashburn Red Cross Food and Water Distribution Point and Rest Stop

Hamilton Support Site

Bill - K8SYH and Joel - K4JAG teamed up at the Community Park in Hamilton. Charlie - K4LJH joined the operation around noontime. The VHF radio used was Bill's Yaesu FT-4700. They used Charlie's 3-element yagi on a 15-foot two section 1-1/2 and 1-inch  telescoping PVC pipe. The Hamilton 2 Meter signal was generally good and was stronger than the Ashburn station as received at Reston. Bill - K8SYH also installed his HF station consisting of an Icom IC-730 and a low coax fed 40 Meter dipole. Bill's HF signal was not as strong as Tom - WB3AKD in Hillsboro but was good copy and always supported traffic during the operation. This proved invaluable since the VHF links sometimes became too busy.

Hillsboro Support Site

Tom - WB3AKD operated solo from the Hillsboro Elementary School with "The Boss." Tom had very nice signals on both VHF and HF and most times was the clearest and strongest signals. About 0745 hours Tom went home for another antenna and came back with his trailer-mounted communications shelter with its tall telescoping antenna mast. Tom was the NCS on the 40 Meter HF Net and did a super job of maintaining the frequency by announcing the operation and inviting others to join the net. Also at regular intervals he conducted a radio check with K8SYH, KG4CGR and AI2C.  During the morning, the Georgia Trader's Net came up on 7275 KHz so we moved the operating frequency to 7278 KHz where it remained all day without any interference. Several time sensitive or event critical traffic was expedited on this HF net. No other stations joined the net but I'm sure they were there and could have been called upon to help with a relay. The 40 Meter net closed at 1627 hours. Tom's commanding signal on the 2 Meter Band also allowed him to relay others including N3GMW who was mobile or portable with the Event Director. In summary, his capabilities made this operation so much more enjoyable. You could always count on him being there and doing the right thing. Thanks Tom.