Thank you to all the team that were able to help provide safety communications cover at this multi-distance event. There were 220 riders taking part and only a limited number of issues to deal with. This was mostly related to a change in course layout made following heavy rain. However by 10:00 we were all where we needed to be to monitor the activity.
We ran an amateur net on 144.650MHz and a PMR net for several non Raynet volunteers.
We provided safety communications cover at this yearly half marathon. Our user service St John Ambulance were kept busy towards the end as temperatures were high and several runners struggled in the heat.
A 2m simplex net from a local high spot provided good cover around the course.
It is with with great sadness that we have to report that Kevin Firth G7WGL (Big Kev/Wiggle) went silent key on Monday 2nd August 2021.
He was a big character with a heart of gold and will be very much missed at all the events he supported. Over the years he always went the extra mile to help people. Kindness costs nothing and he gave it all the time.
Thank you to all the group that took part in the Norfolk Resilience Form virtual exercise on 17th June. Highlights included a test of a Whats App group for group alerting and a really good availability level if it had been a real call.
The exercise centred around a severe weather event that had power outages around Norfolk. We were asked to provide communications from several village halls set up as places of safety back, to the emergency control room in King’s Lynn for the emergency planning team. The scenario does lend itself to more thought outside of the exercise about how we could achieve the links using minimum equipment and personnel.
The groups AGM took place on Saturday 21st November via Skype. There was a good turnout of members. Re – election of the group officers took place with G1SCQ, G4OKH and M3MPD staying in post.
Topics discussed included:
We established a good 2m net for the main traffic on 144.650. A small PMR net was also run to the non-licensed marshals that helped at two of the check points.
With little usage over the year several batteries on handhelds failed at control, even having been put on a top up charge the day before. A lesson to check in advance the condition of older NiMH cells. The main sealed lead acid battery used for the repeater unit also suffered a similar fate at around 15:00.
The group is a member of the voluntary and faith working group of the Norfolk Resilience Forum. Appropriate plans are being followed by those that need to respond to this current outbreak. We are closely monitoring the situation and how it may impact on any public events we are due to attend.
Links to the current Government and NHS advice is available using the links below – this advice is changing on a regular basis, so please check regularly for updates.
The groups AGM took place on Sunday 10th November with a good turnout of members. Re – election of the group officers took place with G1SCQ, G4OKH and M3MPD staying in post.
Topics discussed included potential for using digital modes at events, HF usage and membership.
Thank you to the members that were able to assist with safety communications at this event. We had one of the wettest days of the year to contend with but still had 70 riders turn out to brave the elements.
We established a good 2m net for the main traffic and a couple of the team used 80m as well. A small PMR net was also run to the non-licensed marshals that helped at two of the check points.
Control location with dual band 2m/70cm Slim Jim and 80m vertical deployed.
Thank you to the team that turned out to cover this annual event. Just over 300 runners took part with the bulk finishing without any issues.
We used simplex communications on 144.650 MHz throughout the event with control moving between two strategic locations on the higher parts of the course. This provided good coverage between our stations.
