Milwaukee/Waukesha
ARES / RACES

W9WK   147.165 +  MHz 127.3 PL

www.milwares.org

Home

ARES Links

Training

Library

Events

ARES Van

Chat

WX Warnings

This is the place where we will post the latest Public Service and Ham Events coordinated by ARES members.  If you are a member of ARES / RACES and would like something listed, please contact Ken Hahn WK9H or Larry Noldan NZ9I .  All requests must include information on the event and the sponsoring organization.   

EVENTS FOR 2008

Events are grayed out soon after the event is complete. Further details for some of these events can be found below this table.

AES Superfest

This is the annual “trade show” at Amateur Electronic Supply.  You can talk with major dealers and see the newest in amateur radio communications gear.  AES graciously invites local clubs and organizations to participate as well.  Topical presentations are provided on Saturday.  VE testing is available.  ARES / RACES members will be present to answer any questions from visitors and we will have the Communication Van there for tours, too.

Walk MS

The Walk MS supports the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and is the first ARES / RACES public service event of the year. It is a wonderful opportunity for new hams and for seasoned hams to brush up on public service for the new season. Amateurs are needed for Rest Stops, Net Control and some Sag/Roving positions in Racine/Kenosha, Oconomowoc, Milwaukee, and Waukesha.

The TREK 100 Ride for Hope

The TREK Bicycle Corporation sponsors the TREK 100 and it benefits the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, Inc., (MAAC Fund) . There are four routes, 100 mile, 100K (62.5 mile), 35 mile, and 20 mile ride. All riders are required to raise pledges. Amateur Radio Operators are positioned at each rest stop as well as in sag vehicles and at critical points along each route. Net Control is located at the Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC). The 2004 TREK had 26 radio operators employing their 2- meter equipment and the 146.82 repeater. Distance and topography present a challenge to all participating radio operators.

Miller Lite Ride for the Arts

The Miller Lite Ride for the Arts supports the United Performing Arts Fund on four routes of various lengths that go from the north and to the south of Downtown through two counties. This is our largest event, almost 50 operators are required to keep approximately 10,000 riders safe. APRS is used for this event.

The Miller Lite Ride for the Arts will be holding a Volunteer Information Meeting and Party. The volunteer party is being held at the Miller Inn for all of the Ride's volunteers on Wednesday, May 30th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will be giving out the volunteer t-shirts.
The party will start after the information meeting and will have free Miller beverages and catered by Saz's.

Madison-Chicago 200 Relay

The Madison to Chicago 200 Mile Relay (MC200) is a truly unique two day, 200 mile, team running relay race. Runners will pass through such sights as Madison's Monona Terrace, the rolling Glacial-Drumlin Trail, and the scenic parkways of Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties.

The race continues through the night, and one lucky team member will run a lap around the famous Milwaukee Mile, the oldest operating auto racing track in the United States.

By Saturday morning, teams will be traveling through Racine and Kenosha counties, which include some beautiful lake front views, and finally into Illinois via the Robert McClory and Green Bay bike trails. After navigating through the streets of Evanston and Northwestern University Stadium, runners will finish the course on Chicago's fabled Lake Front Running Path, at Montrose Harbor, with beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyline. This race will generate funds to support the mission of Special Olympics of Wisconsin and Illinois.

The MC200 requires a unique communications team in order to cover this amount of real estate, and do it over a period of nearly two days. This event will use the same assets as a two state, two day emergency communications exercise. This is an excellent opportunity to test your communications skills and possibly add to your capabilities with digital operation or by becoming a net control station.

We have a particular need for operators with VHF digital capabilities and are willing to elmer individuals who would like to add that to their resume.

MC200 sign up page. Please contact Dan Workenour, N9ASA or Ken Hahn, WK9H for information. Please also join the MCRCommTeam Yahoo group for the latest updates.

Multiple Sclerosis Bike MS Best Dam Bike Ride

The Best Dam Bike Ride is a two-day, 150-mile ride through scenic southern Wisconsin to benefit the MS Society. It starts in Waukesha with an overnight stay at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater campus. The second day finds the finish line at the Alliant Energy center in Madison. Amateur Radio Operators provide communications along the entire route using their hand-held or mobile two-meter equipment. Operators are also assigned to each rest stop, sag-wagon, and ambulance to provide speedy attention wherever needed. Net control is positioned midway between the start and finish lines each day. Two repeaters support communications during this event. APRS is used in this event.

This ride provides an outstanding opportunity to test equipment and personal abilities to overcome adverse conditions such as distance and topography. Additionally, Wisconsin weather is always a challenge. There is generally 1300 to 2000 rider participants in this very worthwhile and important fundraiser. A minimum of thirty-five Radio Operators is required plus several hundred other volunteers.

Midwest Regional Firefighter Combat Challenge

The Challenge will be held at Konkel Park, 51st and Layton Avenue. Milwaukee/Waukesha ARES/RACES will operate a special event station on both days under the callsign W9F - Wisconsin Tribute to America's Fire Fighters. Friday, from 2:30PM to 8:00PM and Saturday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM.  We will operate 2m and 440 simplex and, possibly, HF! The ARES Van will be there for us and to show off to the public and America's Firefighters. We need operators! Come and make some contacts. Join in on the fun and excitement!

Bike for Wisconsin

 The Bike for Wisconsin benefits the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. The ride starts and ends in Cedarburg and travels three routes in Ozaukee and Washington Counties. Details are still being worked out but preliminary information states that there will be 10, 30, and 62(metric century) mile routes, approximately 4-5 rest stops at least 3 sags and at least 8-10 hams needed.

ARES SET (Simulated Emergency Test)

The SET is a training exercise that is designed to test capabilities and show areas of weaknesses that can be improved on in future training sessions, further information can be found at the ARRL website. Our SET is usually held in October, the ARRL allows the SET to be held anytime in the fall, and the main national test date is usually held on the first weekend in October.

Waukesha Christmas Parade

Waukesha's Annual Christmas Parade will be held and Santa will be making his arrival in Downtown Waukesha as he makes his trip through the parade.  The parade will feature nearly 100 units and numerous units feature music including several High School marching bands.

It will begin at Main Street and Hartwell Avenue and will travel west on Main Street, through Historic Downtown Waukesha, at West Avenue it will turn east on Wisconsin Avenue and end at Maple Avenue.

Duties:
We will provide feedback to a parade official who is releasing the units to allow a smooth flow of the parade.  Corner personal will be authorized and encouraged to prompt those units moving to slowly to
pickup the pace. Parade identification as a parade official will be provided. At least 11 operators will be needed.

 

Last updated July 09, 2008