This year’s event will start / end at the Rolling Oaks Mall properties, located on the NE side of San Antonio, near Loop 1604 and Nacogdoches Road (outside the loop). The start/finish line will be on the far north side of the property, furthest from Loop 1604. There will be multiple routes with some overlapping areas to help keep it confusing. 🙂 Last year we had nearly 1,800 riders. The routes go up toward Canyon Lake and over toward the Seguin area, so we cover 3 counties during this event.
Ham Radio operators are needed to staff 8-9 rest stops, plus net control back at the Mall. We may use a personal vehicle or two as turtle vehicles (using APRS if possible), but the primary SAG trucks will not be ham radio operator equipped or driven for this event.
Last year, the organizers provided a $20 Valero fuel gift card to the ham working each stop (1 for each stop), to reimburse the volunteer for fuel used during the event. This fuel card was not payment for services rendered. In addition, free t-shirt and possibly even a free Fiesta Medal could be available.
This event is on a Sunday, April 24th, and will run from around 7am to 4 or 5pm for the longer routes. Obviously the rest stops closer to the front, or on the shorter routes only, will get released much sooner.
Assignments will be on a first asked, first assigned basis. I am making the opportunity available to be net control, to get some net control experience, for those who are tired of doing the same ole stuff each year. Also on a first asked, first assigned basis.
For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Lee Besing N5NTG via email at info@sanantoniohams.org or by voice/text to 210-771-7075. Note that my current working shift is at night, so do not expect me to answer the phone before noon most days.
