Summary
Amateur Radio operators will be providing runner accountability support as outlined in the Baystate Marathon EMS Plan. The goal is to make sure that all runners coming off the course are identified by bib number and reported to EMS operations for recording. Supplemental to that that record keeping is this information is also reported to the Family Information table.
Frequencies
| Name | Rx Frequency | Offset? | Tx Frequency | Tone | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAYSTATE1 | 147.495 MHz | SIMPLEX | 147.495 MHz | PL 74.4 | water stop/course, NCS and Family Info |
| BAYSTATE2 | 147.525 MHz | SIMPLEX | 147.525 MHz | PL 74.4 | Tsongas Circle units |
| PRE/POST RACE | 146.955 Mhz | -600 KHz | 146.355 Mhz | PL 74.4 | WESTFORD MA WB1GOF repeater |
Note that BAYSTATE1 and BAYSTATE2 (which you will also hear referred to as
TAC1 and TAC2) are not tactical call signs. If you need to reach net
control, then call for net control.
Roles
Multiple locations serve as functional components of runner accountability.
Tsongas Circle
The Tsongas Circle volunteers should back each other up for breaks, etc. Feel free to rotate thru positions. Please make sure IDENTIFY your location as well as your call!
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Medical Triage (tactical call "Triage") -- Runners who have sought any kind of assistance will be funneled thru triage evaluation and provided care as required.
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Med Tent 1 and 1A (tactical call "Med Tent 1" and "Med Tent 1A" respectively) -- Runners who require specific care identified by the triage team will be addressed here and then released or transported to a local hospital. (5 hams between the 2 med tents)
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Transportation Drop-off (tactical call "Tsongas Transportation") -- Runners who are unable to complete the course are picked up downstream and returned to a bus drop-off point in the Tsongas Circle area. Bib numbers of all runners coming off the bus are to be reported to the Family Information table. (1-2 hams)
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Family Information (tactical call "Family Info") -- Central collection point of runner and their bib numbers as registered. This location will get the results of what runners will not be completing the course for whatever reason. Family members will be able to determine the status of their runner. (1-2 ham)
Rourke Bridge/Brunswick locations
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Brunswick Lanes/UCC parking lot (tactical call "Net Control") -- The Runner Accountability Net will be managed from the Lowell FD Special Operation Unit to be located with FieldComm60 and the MEMA trailer (UCC) in the parking lot.
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Med Tent 2 (tactical call "Med Tent 2") -- located at the foot of the Rourke Bridge on Pawtucket Ave, across the street from the UCC. Shuttle buses on the course will pick up runners from water/stop first aid locations or elsewhere on the course as identified and dropped off at Med Tent 2 for evaluation. Runners who need to be returned to start Start/Finish line located at Tsongas will be picked up here.
Vehicle Staffing
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Inner Loop shuttle (tactical call "Inner Loop") -- One person on this bus that runs from the Rourke Bridge to Tsongas Circle.
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Outer Loop shuttle (tactical call "Outer Loop") -- One person on this bus that runs from the Rourke Bridge to the downstream water stops.
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Sweep Vehicle (tactical call "Sweep") -- One person on this bus that picks up the last of the runners.
Water Stops
We will be trying to staff each water stop. The role here is to report bib numbers of runners who need assistance. These water stops are staffed by running teams from various local schools. These stations will coordinate with water stop staff. Runners coming off the course will stop here and wait for transportation. Bib numbers of those waiting transport will be provided to Accountability Net Control which will relay to Field Comm 60.
You can view the water stops on a Google map.
- Water Stop #2: Pawtucket @ Broadway, Lowell - near Humane Society
- Water Stop #3: near 188 Princeton, Chelmsford
- Water Stop #4: old "Townline", 3 Middlesex Rd, Tyngsboro
- Water Stop #5: 141 Middlesex Rd, Tyngsboro
- Water Stop #6: near 80 Pawtucket Blvd, Tyngsboro, American Legion
- Water Stop #7: near 221-229 Pawtucket Blvd, Tyngsboro, turn out for Greater Lower Technical High School
- Water Stop #8: near 820 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell, east of Old Ferry Rd
- Water Stop #9: near the Varnum intersection
- Water Stop #10 VFW Pkwy/Pawtucket Blvd, (before Aiken St.)
- Water Stop #11 (OPTIONAL): 60 Suffolk St, Lowell
| Waterstop # | Location | Location Description | School assigned |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Mile 1.8 | Near intersection of Pawtucket & Broadway | Lowell HS |
| 3 | Mile 3.7/Mile 13.8 | Polar Lane, just before turn to Petro Plus | Chelmsford HS |
| 4 | Mile 5.8/Mile 15.9 | 3-7 Middlesex Rd (3A) (Tyngsborough Sewer Dept) | Norte Dame Academy |
| 5 | Mile 7.4/Mile 17.5 | 141 Middlesex Rd (3A) | Shawsheen Tech |
| 6 | Mile 8.8/Mile 18.9 | Pawtucket Blvd (Rt 113), no address, across from the old Tyngsboro Country Club | Tyngsborough HS |
| 7 | Mile 10.4/Mile 20.5 | Pawtucket Blvd (Rt 113), no address, turn out to Greater Lowell Technical HS | Greater Lowell Vocational HS |
| 8 | Mile 12.4/Mile 22.5 | Pawtucket Blvd (Rt 113), no address, driveway across from Market Basket, just E of Old Ferry Rd. | Groton Dunstable HS |
| 9 | Mile 23.8 | Pawtucket Blvd (Rt 113), no address, about 300 feet W of Varnum intersection | Dracut HS |
| 10 | Mile 25.2 | Pawtucket Blvd (Rt 113), no address, about 600 feet W of Aiken intersection | Westford Academy |
| 11 | Half Mile 6.4 | 600 Suffolk St | Lowell Catholic |
Radio Use and Tactical Call Signs
It is important that you identify yourself properly using standard amateur radio procedures. All stations will have an assigned tactical Call Sign. Be sure that at the end of each complete exchange, you use your FCC call sign as per standard operating procedures.
Example 1
Net Control: Net Control to Med Tent 2
Med Tent 2: Med Tent 2 answering Net Control.
Net Control: Med Tent 2, do you have anyone for pickup?
Med Tent 2: Affirmative, we one runner, bib number 12345 needing transportation to Finish Line, KZ1ZZZ Out
Net Control: Med Tent 2, acknowledging bib 12345 needs to be picked up. KC1YYY out.
Follow up from Med Tent 2:
Med Tent 2: Med Tent 2 to Net Control
Net Control: Net Control answering Med Tent 2.
Med Tent 2: Net Control runner bib number 12345 has been picked up.
Net Control: Med Tent 2, confirming bib number 12345 has been picked up. KC1YYY out.
Example 2
Water stop 6: Water stop 6 to Net Control
Net Control: Net Control answering water stop 6.
Water stop 6: Net Control we have one runner bib number 54321 here for pickup
Net Control: Water stop 6, confirming one runner, bib number 54321 needing transportation. KC1YYY out.
Water stop 6 does NOT need to reply unless read back of information is incorrect.
Follow up from water stop 6:
Water stop 6: Water stop 6 to Net Control.
Net Control: Net Control answering water stop 6.
Water stop 6: Net Control runner bib number 54321 has been picked up
Net Control: Water stop 6, confirming one runner, bib number 54321 has been picked up. KC1YYY out.
Example 3
Net Control: Net Control to Family Info
Family Info: Family Info answering Net Control.
Net Control: Family Info, runner bib number 54321 is out of the race and will be returning to Tsongas
Family Info: Net Control confirming bib number 54321 is out of the race and to be transported back to Tsongas, AB1CD out.
When the reported bib number arrives at Tsongas Transportation:
Tsongas Transportation: Tsongas Transportation to Family Info
Family Info: Family Info answering Transportation.
Transportation: Transportation reporting that bib number 54321 has been dropped off. W1BBB out.
Family Info: Family Info acknowledges bib 54321 has been dropped off. AB1CD out.
Family Info reports completion of pickup and drop off cycle to Net Control:
Family Info: Family Info to Net Control
Net Control: Net Control answering Family Info
Family Info: Family Info report bib number 54321 has been dropped off. AB1CD out
Net Control: Net Control acknowledges bib number 54321 has been dropped off, KC1ZZZ out