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The following is information for those assisting in communication support for Sea to Summit. For those desiring to participate in the bike ride itself, you may call Teen Challenge directly at 805-648-3295.
Welcome and thank you to all who are offering to help in the Sea to Summit Bike-a-Thon.
The Bike-a-Thon is a yearly fund raising event put on by various non-profit agencies in Ventura County. For some of the agencies, this is their primary fund raising event of the year. The Bike-a-Thon consists of bicycle riders starting at the Teen Challenge facility in Ventura City (along side of highway 33), going through Ojai and then up Highway 33, over Pine mountain summit to Lockwood Valley road, then proceeding on Lockwood Valley road to Lake of the Woods, and on to the top of Mount Pinos. The course is about 100 miles, with several steep grades. The riders will have personal arrrangements to have someone pick them up at the summit for their trip home.
The ride starts at 7:00am. The first riders usually make it to the top around noon. The last riders usually finish around 6:00pm.
There are six checkpoints (Checkpoints 1 through 6), and four rest stops (Rest stops A through D). We will station radio operators at each of these locations, along with rover units. There will be operators at the beginning and end locations of the ride, and at special radio relay locations. Most of the communications will be on two meters. Because of the distances involved, a lot of the locations will require a mobil transceiver and an adequate antenna.
Click here to view the map of the course. A new browser window will open. (Thanks to K6NE for the map.)
Click here to view a description of the checkpoints and rest stops, along with their GPS coordinates.
Click here to view pictures from the Sea to Summit 2002 event.
Because of the terrain and distances covered by this event, operators may not be able to directly hear each other. To insure reliable communications throughout the course, several communication zones have been set up. Each zone will have a two meter frequency on which all communications should be conducted. Rover operators should monitor the primary frequency of the zone they are currently in. As the Rover operator travels from one zone to the next, the operator should change frequency appropriately, and advising Net Control of the switch.
The actual frequencies used for the different zones are flexible and will be finally determined on the day of the event. Net Control is on top of Mount Pinos, and will need to determine which frequencies are available without interference at that location. The initial check-in frequency and Zone 1 operations will be done using the Sulphur Mountain Repeater, which is also linked to the Grant Park Repeater. The starting location will need to utilize the Grant Park frequency, but the rest of Zone 1 will be able to use Sulphur Mountain directly. Zones 2 and 3 (the rest of the course) will probably use 147.570 simplex.
Frequencies:
Sulphur Mountain: 146.880(-), PL 127.3
Grant Park: 147.765(-), PL 127.3
Portable Repeater: 144.930 (output), 147.585 (input), PL 127.3
Simplex: 147.570
When you leave your home enroute to your assigned location, please advise net control on the Sulpur Mountain repeater. Advise net control when you arrive at your assignment on the primary frequency for that zone.
Because of the possibility of one station having more than one operator, please use tatical callsigns of the station you are calling. When you are finished with the contact, transmit your amateur callsign. When operating on a simplex frequency, follow your callsign by the words "Frequency Clear". Note that much of the course winds through deep canyons and behind ridges. While mountain top sites and net control can hear units, individual units may not hear each other. Please be aware that you might not hear another unit using the simplex frequency. Follow traffic on the net and wait for the words "Frequency Clear" before transmitting. Also, there are isolated spots along the course that are shielded from net control or the mountain tops. If necessary, move up or down the road until you are out of the shielded area.
We are here for the safety of all the participants and workers of the event. Please be on the lookout for and report all safety concerns. In the event of an emergency, all stations will be asked to restrict radio traffic until the emergency is over.
The weather along the course can be hot or cold. Bring adequate warm and cool clothing, plus sun screen, food, water, and anything else you might require. If possible, bring spare radios, antennas, and batteries. You are encouraged to wear your ARES uniform if you have one.
Those positions that are within the Los Padre Forest area will need to have an "Adventure Pass" Forest parking permit. The passes can be obtained from local sporting good stores.
Knowing where you are is important should an emergency arise. If you have GPS capability, you will find it useful in determining where you are. Net Control will be running APRS.
Above all, enjoy the day.
Click here to see current operator assignments.
For further information or to volunteer to assist with this event, email
Last Revision: 07 April 2008 by AA6VH