SEED 9 HAM radio and volunteer information web page
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The 2008 SEED 9 event will be held Saturday, February 23th.
Page last modified 22-Feb-2008
Index
What's new for 2008
Sad news to report... Our beloved Nevada Landing is closed! Everything will stage out of The Gold Strike this year.
The race will be starting a little earlier this year than last year. The first stage starts at approximately 9:47 AM and the last stage starts at approximately 2:17 PM. We should be ending earlier than last year!
This year there are 7 stages between 4 locations. Hams will be divided up between two groups, Group A and Group B. The stages hop around a bit (quite a bit this year!), but the nice part is the HAMs will either be actively participating in the net, or moving to their next assignment. There should not be any real significant down time between stages this year.
All times are approximate and supplied by the rally organizers and subject to change. Any deviation will be broadcast by net control.
There is a plan "B", the turtle clause. In the event that a turtle is found on Double or Nothing, Double or Nothing will be canceled. We will have to shift around the days events. This is not an expected situation, but please be understanding if we need to make changes mid-stream. Net control will of course broadcast any changes. However, this is *not* an expected situation.
In a Nut Shell
This is an off-road, timed-event race. The cars will stage at the start line and be released one minute apart. It is a race against time, not each other. There are 7 stages this year, including one new completely new one!
The first stage is brand-spanking new! It is called Ivanhoe and only runs in one direction. Group A will work this stage. To get to the start you will exit the Gold strike making a right onto Las Vegas Boulevard and continuing until Las Vegas Boulevard ends. You will then make a right and go under I15. The start is right in that area and the stage ends at Double or Nothing.
The next two stages (stages 2 and 3) are will be Hidden Valley I and Hidden Valley II and are run near the dry lake bed in Jean. Group B will work this stage. 4 HAMs will be required for these stages just like in years past. After both runs of Hidden Valley, all cars will transit back across the I15 over to Double or Nothing I (stage 4, Group A) and Group B will transit over and set up on Wilson I.
Lunch / service
Right after lunch the 5th stage will be Wilson I. Group B will work this stage. Wilson is the long stage that is run on the dirt road between Goodsprings and Sandy Valley.
After Wilson I the cars will transit back up the paved road to run stage 6, Double or Nothing II. Group A should already be in place.
After Double or Nothing II (stage 6), Group A HAM are finished for the day and can either go home (after clearing from net control) or head to the "debriefing" area.
All cars will then transit back to run Wilson II (stage 7) from Sandy Vally to Goodsprings. Again, Group B should laready be in place. This is the last stage of the day.
The HAMs will be broken into two groups. Group A will service the Ivanhoe stage and the Double or Nothing stages. Group B will service Hidden Valley and Wilson stages.
| Stage # |
Stage name |
Group |
# of HAMs |
Notes |
| 1 |
Ivanhoe |
A |
6 |
Group A works stage 1 then moves to Double or Nothing
and stays there for remainder of day |
| 2 |
Hidden Valley I |
B |
4 |
Group B works stages 2 and 3 then moves
to Wilson for the reaminder of the day |
| 3 |
Hidden Valley II |
B |
| 4 |
Double or Nothing I |
A |
6 |
Group A stays here for Double or Nothing II |
| 5 |
Wilson I |
B |
6 |
Group B's second assignment. Remain here for
Wilson II after Double or Nothing II |
| 6 |
Double or Nothing II |
A |
6 |
Group A should already be here. Cleared to leave after this stage |
| 7 |
Wilson Pass II |
B |
6 |
Should already be in place |
For more (general) information on the event, point your browser to
http://seed9rally.com.
Date / Time
Saturday, February 23rd.
There is going to be a pre-race check-in at The Gold Strike Casino in the morning. The race organizers expect the first car to be on the course at 9:47 am.
Net Control will be placed at the "Y" junction between Tower and Wilson Road.
Volunteers for the Ivanhoe stage should be in place no later that 9:15 am.
Volunteers for the Hidden Valley stages should be in place no later that 10:00 am.
The event should conclude about 3:00 PM. There will be a "de-briefing" meeting and awards ceremony at the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings afterwards.
Location
To get to Jean, take the I15 South towards CA. Goodsprings is West of ("behind") Nevada Landing Casino/Hotel, and the Jean dry lake bed is East of the I15 (Gold Strike Side).
To get to Hidden Valley stages from the Jean / Goodsprings exit off I15, follow this map(468k)
The Double or Nothing stages are directly across from the Shell station behind The Nevada Landing Hotel and Casino on the Goodsprings side of I15.
Click here for a map of how to get to the Wilson Pass stages. (367k)
Please use bypass road to get to and from race to avoid traveling through the town of Goodsprings. Race coordinators will place signs marking the bypass. Talk in on the 449.400 MHz (-) 136.5 Hz machine.
The speed limit is 25 MPH through Goodsprings. Please, be aware of your speed through town.
To get to your stations you will be traveling down unimproved dirt roads. I recommend a truck or a high-clearance vehicle that you won't mind getting dirty.
GPS download 
GPS spreadsheet of all STC and FTC and HAM checkpoints: seed_2008v2.xls
S9 Stage Schedule 2008 Tentative: S9 Stage Schedule 2008 Tentative.xls
Communications
Repeaters / Frequencies
Net communications will take place on the 449.400 MHz (-) 136.5 Hz HXO repeater.
Notice this is a UHF repeater. You must have a 440 radio to participate.
We will also have exclusive use of the 146.88 (-) 100.0 Hz HXO machine. We will utilitize this for timing control and any planning or logistics.
If you have 900 MHz, we will be using that as a talk around frequency.
Net Protocol
Net function is to pass health and safety traffic concerning the cars as they pass each check point, relay any traffic relating to safety issues along the course, and between stages handle other traffic relating to the smooth operation of the event.
This will be a directed net under the control of an NCO at all times. All traffic MUST go through net control. For the safety of all involved there should be no idle chatter or other traffic on the repeater.
Other details and instructions specific to this net will be broadcast by the NCO at the event before the start of the first stage. If you have any questions concerning proper net protocol, please contact myself or the NCO's before the event. A meeting will be held the weekend before the event to go over net protocol.
Items / Equipment Needed
Radio
A dual band radio... Programmed before you show up at the event.
The repeater has great coverage all over the course and an HT is fine (if you don't have a Mobile). However, if you will be using an HT, please have it fully charged and bring at least one fully charged spare battery.
A GPS (BIG help out in the desert!)
Camp chairs, sun glasses, baseball hat, water, food, etc...
Binoculars would come in handy. (optional, but helpful)
Roster / Sign-up
Sign Up
Roster
| Last Name |
First Name |
Call |
Position |
Vehicle |
Shirt Size |
| Brown |
David |
K5WEO |
TBD |
RAV 4 |
XXL |
| Bumbum |
Fatty |
K0FAT |
TBD |
reinfoced |
XXXXXXX |
| Cook |
Jack |
N8RRL |
TBD |
4X4 |
XXL |
| Croghan |
Bill |
WB0KSW |
TBD |
4x4 |
XL |
| Esprecion |
Joseph / Jamie |
WH6CYB |
TBD |
F150 4x2 |
XXL |
| Fxknoxdapx |
Fxknoxdapxx |
NFHAJN |
TBD |
VRIYjNcxNj |
HHCNDEG |
| Garrabrant |
Byon |
N6BG |
NCO |
car |
XL |
| Googlyazer |
Googlyazer |
DELHXV |
TBD |
NiuWLqhtSk |
NPXLURW |
| Gorr |
Jamie |
N3TOY |
HAM coordinator |
4x4 |
XL |
| Kostelac |
Frank & Linda |
N7ZEV |
TBD |
4X4 |
XXL / S |
| Kunz |
Charlie |
AA5QJ |
TBD |
Pickup 2wd |
L |
| Kunz |
Andy |
N5UIS |
TBD |
subaru |
L |
| Myyaubvfor |
Myyaubvfor |
XZTZBO |
TBD |
MZeHzkZPLA |
8 |
| Nelson |
Sandy |
KD7WYD |
TBD |
4x4 |
XL |
| Nelson |
Bob |
KD7UHG |
TBD |
Pickup 2wd |
L |
| Petrakis |
Tom |
KE4ULL |
TBD |
4x4 |
XL |
| Portnoff |
Steven |
KD7LVX |
TBD |
4x4 |
XXL |
| Smith |
Bryan |
KD7JJH |
TBD |
Kia Sedona |
XXL |
| Wejeesaoqs |
Wejeesaoqs |
XYTBES |
TBD |
phmoEpuK |
8 |
| Xlpochue |
Xlpochue |
DXDHWG |
TBD |
DbphrsXcEy |
8 |
| Ydnedxhagq |
Ydnedxhagq |
JEELOS |
TBD |
erniCKAlFK |
BZDPKOU |
Positions and Responsibilities
Net Control
Net Control will be stationed at or near the start/finish line between Tower Road and Wilson Road. Net Control will be handling traffic passed from the check points specifically pertaining the positions of the cars along the course, as well as and health and welfare traffic, and any other traffic necessary for the smooth and safe operation of the event. A "race official" will be stationed in the trailer with Net Control.
Shadows
We will not need any shadows this year, they will be covered by rally people with HAM licenses.
Checkpoints
Keep your eyes on the course and report back to Net Control as each car passes. In the event of a mishap, you are to report what you see back to Net Control. The drivers are to have a 2-sided card in the vehicle, one side says "OK", the other has a "red cross". What you should report is the car number, the nature of the mishap, and the display of the card. If the "red cross" is displayed the Medical Technician will be dispatched.
Naming Conventions
Checkpoints are named with letters. Each stage is run in two directions, so Hidden Valley I is run from the start, through checkpoint A to the finish at checkpoint D. The cars then restage for Hidden Valley II, which is run from checkpoint D finishing at checkpoint A.
Misc
Food
Lunch will be available from the race people. However, since we will be spread out over the course with the only path of travel being the race course, I would suggest you not count on that. I will be provided witht he lunches ahead of time and will deliver food to each checkpoint, but I can not promise anything. Be prepared to be self sufficient. Bring plenty of food, maybe some snacks, and definitely water. Elevation for this event is about 5000 ft. I don't think weather will be a factor, but check the forecast (link) as we get closer to the event and dress / pack accordingly.
Cell Phones
Cell phones have limited coverage along the course.
Thank You!
To everyone involved, thanks again for volunteering! This year we will have many returning volunteers, some for the forth year! This is really nice considering you need to provide your own lunch and you never got a tee-shirt before! With out a doubt, this is absolutely the most exciting event to work all year.
Debriefing
A debriefing will be held immediately following the event at the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings.
Contact
Communications Coordinator: James R. Gorr - N3TOY - n3toy-at-yahoo.com - 702-233-2479
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