March of Dimes 2012

Posted on By Marcos Mirabent
Events

The West Palm Beach Amateur Radio Group provides the March of Dimes with communications stations at every water stop and two or three “Victory Wagons” to carry those who just can’t walk any more to the finish line.

Our net control station monitors the location of each victory wagon in real time using a blend of GPS and amateur radio technology.

Volunteers arrive early. They get a free t-shirt and their assignment for the day.
The public is welcome to visit our table at all events. We put up a welcome banner and love to talk to you about who we are and what we do.
Our bicycle patrol could follow the walking course. His job is to keep track of the last person walking and to make sure nobody goes without any needed assistance.
We just set up the net control station. We communicate with ham radio to all water stations and victory wagons. We also have a communications link to the March of Dimes officials.
Net control operators at work.
Net control operators at play. OK they are still at work but it’s fun so it seems like play.
We also equipped a bicycle with ham radio.
Here are a few of the brave soles who made the walk for charity.
Meanwhile, net control is tracking the status of the entire event, from where the walkers are to how well the watering stations are stocked and who needs a ride on the victory wagon.
Net control is aided by a map showing in real time where each of the victory wagons are located. Even the bicycle was tracked on the electronic map.
Victory wagon one ready to roll.
Victory wagon two ready to roll.
Watering station one, all stocked up and ready.
Watering station two. Ready to communicate and serve.
Watering station three. You can’t have too many people. Unless they drink all the water.
Watering station four. A coveted assignment. This station has plenty of shade.
Watering station five. This one is the furthest out but it is the first to close down. When all of the walkers have passed this station these volunteers get to go eat. The rest of the stations have to wait for the walkers to double back and only then can they eat.
Last but not least, here’s Jerry. He is a past president, volunteers for everything, and is a great all around guy.

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