March 6th 2010
The Hill Country REACT Radio Team assisted with the Heart of the Hills Endurance Ride held at the 5400 acre Hill Country State Natural Area located outside of Bandera, Texas. Team Members Gary Tangrady – K5GST, Al Fields – KE6LGE, Wade Martyn – WB5C and Team Leader Louis Upton – K1STX provided communications for the 25 and 50 mile events. 75 participants total were tracked at 4 checkpoints through the multiple loop course utilizing 2m simplex and the WD5FWP repeater located in Pipe Creek.
About AERC from their website:”The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, was founded in 1972 as a national governing body for long distance riding. Over the years it has developed a set of rules and guidelines designed to provide a standardized format and strict veterinary controls. At the same time it has sought to avoid the rigidity and complexity so characteristic of many other equine disciplines.” For more information on the AERC go to: http://www.aerc.org/About.asp
The Heart of the Hills event has a long history in the Texas Hill Country and was under new management for the 2010 event. Through the connection of team member Joe Thompson – W4CTH, the suggestion was made to the management to include the Hill Country Radio Team team in the operation of the event to provide accurate tracking, extra eyes and added safety measure for the riders. After a couple of phone calls and introductory meeting, the team agreed to assist with the event. Before, during and after the event, many comments from the race participants and race management confirmed that the addition of the REACT Radio Team to the event not only save many man hours driving back and forth to keep track of the riders, but added a much needed safety element to the event. The Hill Country REACT team was invited back for the 2011 event, more than likely with an increase role. For more information and membership information for the Hill Country REACT Radio Team go to www.hillcountryreact.org
Proceeds from the 2010 AERC Heart of the Hills Endurance Ride will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
