When: June 12th and 13thWhere: Hill Country State Natural Area – Bandera, TX
What: ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association) Event – a not-for-profit event.
Details: We need 8 -10 operators each day.
Saturday, June 12th – event will run from 0900 to 1300hrs – lunch at 1400hrs – Breakfast for volunteers will be provided 0730. Proceeds benefit the AQHBA youth scholarship Program.
Sunday, June 13th – event runs from 1400hrs to 1700hrs – Breakfast at 0730, lunch at 1200hrs – The late start time is due to a nationwide event that is attempting to break a Guiness Book of World Records title. Proceeds from Sundays event benefit ACTHA Horse Rescue Operations.
ACTHA events judge the ability of a horse and rider to negotiate natural obstacles, handle standard task, and the overall condition of the horse. Although rare accidents and injuries do occur.
Our Task: as most know, cell phone coverage is slim to none, closer to none at the park. Our number one purpose is safety, secondary is to assist the Event Observers to track the participants through the course. Each course is approximately 7 miles long, with Saturdays course being of mild to moderate difficulty, and Sundays course utilizing the moderate to difficult terrain.
Comm’s: At this point the plan is to utilize Simplex only, although I am still accessing the course for the possibility of needing to utilize a portable or fixed local repeater. Any one interested in participating should have at minimum a unit capable of at least 25 watts on 2m, fixed vehicle antenna should be fine at most locations. Notify me if you have antenna capable of elevated use.(ex. EmComm deployable type).
We are gaining some great exposure by assisting with events at Hill Country State Natural area, as well as the other events we all participate on an annual basis. The Park Manager at HCSNA was actually the one that passed our information to the Event Manager. He has made note of the advantages and added safety factor we have given events at this remote facility. Events like this and others give the Amateur Radio community a great opportunity to grow.
If you are available to assist with one or both days, please contact me at k1stx@arrl.net. My cell number has changed: 830-305-2889. If you have any questions, please e-mail or call. Also please forward to others that may be interested in assisting with the event.
BTW – aside from the meals provided, T-shirts will also be given to each volunteer. AQHBA usually has some really cool shirts.
Thank You,
Louis Upton – K1STX
