ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast

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Amateur Radio Volunteers Assist in Major US Cycling Event

On 11th September 2021, some 115 amateur radio volunteers from five states provided communication support for LoToJa, the longest single-day USA Cycling (USAC)-sanctioned bicycle event in the country and now in its 39th year. Starting in Logan, Utah, the 203-mile course ends in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, taking cyclists through northeastern Utah, southeastern Idaho, and western Wyoming in the process.

The race attracts thousands of applicants, and upward of 2,000 are selected to compete. Some 1,700 competed this year. The event generates more than $2 million a year for Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Hams participate from multiple clubs in Utah, including Goldman Spike Amateur Radio Club (GSARC), Ogden Amateur Radio Club (OARC), and Utah Valley Amateur Radio Club (UVARC). The race deploys four command centers and multiple repeaters.

Ted McArthur, AC7II, heads the communication infrastructure team for the LoToJa hams. In all, nine repeaters and several simplex frequencies are used throughout the event, and APRS plays an important role.