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--- blog:2019-06-10:puddle_jumper [2019/06/11 16:13] – ve7rbe
+++ blog:2019-06-10:puddle_jumper [2020/08/07 13:03] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 ===== Mobile Support =====
 Steven VA7SMI provided communications for the mobile support station that was dispatched to different Aid Stations all day.  Installing the Kenwood with APRS enabled was a really good idea.  For the first little bit, we were able to follow Steve around using [[https://aprsdroid.org/ |APRSDroid]] on our phones.  Unfortunately, due to technical issues, that radio stopped working later that morning.
+===== Debrief =====
+Here are the notes I sent to Randi regarding what could be improved for next year.  In no particular order:
+  * Higher contrast bibs.  The red bibs were easy to read, but the yellow ones were pretty hard.  Black on yellow would have probably worked much better than white on yellow.
+  * Have a different sweeper for each race instead of one sweeper for both races and make sure they each have a cellphone so they can communicate with us.
+  * Share a list of key volunteers (station managers, marshals, first aid attendants, etc), their functions, locations, and contact info.  During the "emergency" at Aid Station 1, it would have been easier for us to dispatch help sooner if we had had this information.
+A few points I would add for us:
+  * Set up radio station away from DJ.  The music / announcements made it very difficult to operate.  That being the case, we'd probably need a small tent to provide shade or shelter in case of rain.
+  * Review radio operating procedures.  Some of our radio communications were a bit confusing because some of us were not following the agreed upon protocol and were sharing too much information before waiting to be acknowledged.  This is important because it's something that's very easy to do, but also very easy to forget since we all know each other and can easily fall back to casual chit chat.  At one point, there was a lot going on at the Cliff Gilker station: Randi on her phone getting information to be relayed, the DJ doing his thing, other people showing up and asking for updates, etc.  It was extremely important for stations calling to wait to be acknowledged before sharing any type of information so that they can be asked to stand by or go ahead depending on priority.  Most did, but some didn't which led to some confusion.
+  * Related to this, I would also add: acknowledging every transmission even if it's just a "roger standby".  Some times, I would request information and be left with a silence because of the time it takes to gather the information.  But I couldn't tell if my request had been heard or not.
+  * The last point I can think of is for us to take turns operating one radio (at a time) per station instead of all of us having our radios on at the same time. The feedback from a nearby radio while talking can be pretty distracting.
+Overall, I think it was an excellent experience for us and we did really well.  I know Randi is very grateful for our help.  I hope we get to do something like this again soon...