HamRadioNow
The New York Marathon. World’s biggest, right? And Ham Radio is huge there.
The Boston Marathon. Ham Radio is big there, too. And it’s, what, #2?
Nope. Worldwide, it’s not even close. In the USA, it’s #3 (as of 2015, anyway, the last year a quick web search had stats).
So who’s #2. The Marine Corps Marathon in DC? Nope. (But ham radio is big there, too).
#2 is Chicago. The perpetual Second City (even though Los Angeles took that USA title a few decades ago). And yes, even though you’ve never heard of it, nearly 150 hams pitch in to help it run smoothly.
Rob Orr K9RST has been the lead ham for the Chicago Marathon for the past decade, recruiting from a coalition of radio clubs and individual hams to provide communications for the medical side of the event (similar to the ham’s mission at Boston). And as you’ll hear, he really has a handle on it all.
Host David Goldenberg W0DHG leads this chat, as Gary KN4AQ hides behind the scenes (mostly). And note that this is the usual in-depth interview, but the show really runs about 95 minutes, and the rest is the ‘post-show party’ (aka The Best Part of the Show).
Source
I've worked this event under Rob for about 9 years now. He's a great lead and goes the extra mile in making sure the amateurs have the guidance they need to succeed and perform in an excellent manner. If you've ever considered working an event of this nature, don't hesitate! Get involved, ask to be put in a position with experienced hams, and listen to the communications protocol. It won't be long and you'll be the "Elmer" helping other new folks.
de KA9WRZ
In 65 most of us were on 2 mtrs am heathkit etc kg6mn
Imiss Chicago
Interesting interview giving us an insight into the organisation of these events and the challenges they have.
Also, well done David on your first 'solo' interview.
The spirit of service is important and hopefully things never get to the point where someone quits in the middle of an event. But agencies and leaders need to remember that the hams are volunteers not employees and have no legal obligation to do anything. If they are treated badly enough they can and will leave. Many of these events use a lot of volunteers and do it very well but occasionally someone goes too far and makes unreasonable demands.
Impressively run event. There was things that any public service ham could learn from. Having just one focus for the radio group is crucial with an event so large.
I’m all about using ham radio for comms in this type event/scenario. But assuming Chicago and Illinois have similar radio systems to say Raleigh and North Carolina. Would it have been possible to utilize cache radios and 2 or 3 event / ops channels (talkgroups)? As for discipline and channel / tgs management. Follow nims/ics protocols, utilize ics217 for showing availability of freqs/tgs then put the chosen freqs/tgs for the events on an ics205.
would have liked to hear about the gear used, and comm setup rather than basics about marathons