The Reston Bike Club Ride Across
Loudoun County
The Operation
On Sunday, August 27, 2000, LARG
personnel deployed to their assigned sites and were operational by 0700 hours.
2 Meter VHF and 40 Meter HF links were established. The networks
came alive as each station came up on frequency and checked their communication
links..The KD4CSO cross band station experienced several problems and Art
- KD4CSO and Gene - N4EV configured the radio equipment and antennas several
times to minimize the problems. But throughout the operation the 440 MHz
link continued to experience considerable interference generated by out-of-band
signals into the 2 Meter receiver. Over 700 bike riders made their way across
Loudoun County over the three bike routes. The Loudoun County American
Red Cross team with the assistance of the Army National Guard personnel and
vehicles were busy delivering and refreshing supplies throughout the day.
The VHF and the HF communications links proved to complement each other as
the operational and communications situations continued to change throughout
the day. The threat of rain and thunderstorms was on our mind as the operation
continued well passed it's announced closing time of 1400 hours. From
about 1600 to 1730 hours a thunder and lightning storm moved across the
operational area. By 1700 hours all but the Reston Town Center Station had
been closed. At 1745 hours the Red Cross Event Director and support vehicles
closed on the Reston Town Center and the close down phase was
completed.