First post by KC2EFA

[KC2EFA]

Hey Ham Community, this is an automated post on behalf of our new member: KC2EFA,

On behalf of Ham Community, let's give KC2EFA a warm welcome.

KC2EFA, we encourage you to browse around and get to know the Community's many sections. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, as with all things HAM, we all love to give advice 😎

For everyone's information, KC2EFA joined on the 07/04/2023; this is their profile: View Member.

[K3MRI]

Welcome aboard Richard! And thanks for those amazing two marathon photos. Looking forward to volunteering with you for MCM 2023!

[KC2EFA]

Hi!

 

When I click on the page that says I need to accept the cookies or whatever by either clicking on DISMISS oR NEXT the page will simply reload itself.  There is no "NEXT" such as a page where I can submit pictures or other artwork.

[K3MRI]

Hi. Let me check but I think the problem is that you have not 'joined' the MCM Ham Volunteers club. Are you planning on volunteering this year? If so, one of the steps is joining the club. Here is the link to the club's landing page: 

Let me know if there is still a problem.

Thanks

Jim

 

[KC2EFA]

I'm not at all "NEW" to providing Amateur Radio EMERGENCY COMMUNNICATIONS for The Marine Corps. Marathon.  I've been doing this for many years.  My 1st time was in 2012 although records were slim to none back then.  I just showed up with the prospect of being able to help.  Somebody dropped out at the last minute and our leader wasn't happy about that!  He told me to get on over to Milepost 7.  This was right at 6a!  Roads were getting closed cops were being very cautious and very timid to let me through!  I had to show about every possible form of i.d. I could to get to my post!  Even at that I just couldn't go to my post because I couldn't find the place on a map!  AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!  I DID FINALLY get to my assignment but I had to plead with a D.C. motorcycle cop to show me the way!  I had to manually program my BAOFENG UV-5R radio with the frequencies for the event because I'd been assured by all the print that they would change at the last minute.  The pictures that I've provided are pictures from that day. 

I traditionally have been part of Check-In and this year might be the 1st year I won't be.  On account of having been so involved with Check-In festivities I was typically assigned to a location in Arlington or in "The Money" section of Arlington Crystal City.  I tell folks when I inform them that they too should at least experience The People's Marathon that I'm usually in Arlington Crystal City or very nearby.  I've learned from my experiences of working this event just how effective CHEAP radios such as BAOFENGS and others of their ilk are at being able provide reliable communication in a very r.f. dense environment.  As a result I now use monoband radios such as Kenwood TH-K20's and an ALINCO DJ-496.  I've found them to be much more spectorally clean and much less resistant to desensing.    

I've uploaded some pictures of more recent years experiences and they show the event and the competitors when they are in Arlington and Crystal City proper.

 

[WA3LTJ]

Great story. Great photos.