MS150  2009
Bike Tour Amateur Radio
Communications Site

MS150 Bike Tour  July 11 & 12, 2009
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2009 MS 150 BIKE TOUR

JULY 11 & 12, 2009

We thank everyone for the tremendous support of last year's and previous year's MS 150 events.

Our goals are to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art amateur radio communications to support the MS Society, and at the same time to encourage as many amateurs as possible to participate in what has become the largest Public Service Event in Mid-Michigan. We need your continued support to expand the role of APRS and voice communications. 

Overview of Amateur Radio assignments and requirements:

SAG VEHICLE (Support and Guidance) (Two-day assignment)

MS will supply the vehicle, and MS personnel will drive. We will need about 12 amateurs for this mobile assignment, which includes an overnight stay at Michigan State University. Dinner, lodging and breakfast will be provided. This assignment requires communications skills, including the ability to monitor a net, receive to traffic directed to your station and pass traffic originated by your station. Equipment requirements are a Dual-Band Mobile radio with 35Watts VHF/ 15Watts UHF minimum Also magnetic-mount antenna and power cable suitable to attach quickly to any vehicle.   APRS tracking equipment is STRONGLY desired.

MED VEHICLE (Two-day assignment)

MS will supply the vehicle, and MS personnel will drive. We will need about 10 amateurs for this mobile assignment, which includes an overnight stay at Michigan State University. Dinner, lodging and breakfast will be provided. This is a high-visibility assignment that requires you to have excellent people and communications skills, including the ability to monitor several conversations, track dynamic situations and convey summary information to MS Staff personnel. Equipment requirements are a Dual-Band Mobile radio with 35Watts VHF/ 15Watts UHF minimum Also magnetic-mount antenna and power cable suitable to attach quickly to any vehicle.

REST STOP (One-day assignment)

You will provide your own transportation to and from the Rest Stop. We will need about 10 amateurs on Saturday and 12 on Sunday for fixed operation. You may participate either or both days. Equipment requirements are a UHF, 15Watts+ transceiver with  antenna. Dual-Band Radio is recommended for this assignment. Mobile equipment in your personal vehicle will be acceptable. Note that commercial power is not available; you must be able to operate in a "field" situation. Current Freq list.  Please pre-program this into your radio before the event. also please make sure you have your radio manual just incase.
Channel Freq Offset PL/Tone Alphatag Linked
F1 442.350 Plus 107.2hertz EAST-UHF Fenton / W8FSM YES
F2 442.625 Plus 100hertz CENTRAL-UHF Durand / N8IES YES
F3 444.575 Plus 107.2hertz WEST-UHF Dansville / N8OBU YES
F4 442.525 Plus 107.2hertz WEST2-UHF Lansing / N8OBU YES
F5 146.460 Simplex 100hertz VHF Simplex  
F6 145.290 Minus 100hertz EAST-VHF Durand / N8IES YES
F7 145.390 Minux 100hertz WEST-VHF Okemos / WB8CQM  
F8 442.900 Plus 77hertz East Lansing / W8MSU  
F9 147.280 Plus 107.2hertz Lansing / KB8LCY YES
F10 144.390 Simplex   APRS  
F11 146.460 Simplex 293NAC P25 Simplex  
F12 443.050 Plus 151.4hertz UHF-Blue Backup Portable Yes

Here is a snapshot of last years aprs overlay.
aprs cap mini
Please note this was taken after the event. So med units where not running. Notice the NWS Radar underlay.

Your MS-150 Amateur Radio Communications Management Team

W8FSM MS150 Amateur Radio Communications Manager (ARCM) fred@moses.bz

KC8ORT Marc Smith Digital Operations kc8ort@gmail.com

More Info

The MS150 event is one of the largest Amateur Radio public service event in South East Michigan. It requires a minimum of 75+ amateurs, to cover some 200+  miles of route, plus rest stops, and some 20+ mobile units each day. Each amateur that participates in the two day event supplies his or her own equipment, mainly consisting of a 15 Watt or greater UHF radios, Magnet Mount antenna, cigarette lighter socket Y adapter, and power cords. Food and lodging for Saturday night are provided for by the MS organization. The event starts promptly at 7am Saturday and concludes late Sunday afternoon after the last rider arrives back. The Saturday night entertainment at MSU is a fun time for all.

If you are interested in participating or need any questions answered, please email Fred, W8FSM.  We curently have many open assignments for either Saturday, Sunday, or both days. 

73, Fred - W8FSM, MS-150 Amateur Radio Communications Manager (ARCM)

MS150 Rider's Page 
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2005 Photo Gallery - KC8ORT
2004 Photo Gallery - KC8ORT