Club Activities

This year the Market-To-Market Relay will be held on Saturday October 8th.  This is a fund raising event to support the Great Plains Trail Network and the
Ak-Sar-Ben Amateur Radio Club has been a part of the event for all 15 years.   The organizers know what a great job the "Omaha hams" do of looking after the runners and are looking forward to working with the area hams again.    The M2M Relay Starts in Omaha at Blue Cross Blue Shield in AkSarBen and finishes in Lincoln at the Haymarket District 78 miles later.   Teams of 6, 7 or  8 members each a stages then relay to another runner. Each stage is 3 to 5 miles long. The course follows trails, paved streets and gravel back roads of Nebraska. 

Our job is to keep track of when the runners arrive at each stage and when the last runner has departed and relay that information to Net Control.   If minor medical assistance is needed we can summon the medical personnel who are available at every other exchange point. Omaha area hams cover the first half and the Lincoln area hams pick up when the race crosses the river at exchange point 9.   Both Net Controls will be in contact with the event organizers to relay how well the race is going and of any issues that have been relayed via the hams.     Mobiles and handhelds are usable, depending on your location.

The exchange points get a bit busy with waves of runners coming and going, so it is best if there are at least two hams at each exchange point especially the later exchanges when the runners have spread out. We arrive before the runners and all the vans and usually, and often we are there before the site setup crew and the exchange volunteers.   We like to schedule two hams allow for a backup if there is equipment failure or if a last-minute personal issue means you can't attend.   That means 20(or more) volunteers. So we need you.     

Below is the schedule of the times that hams will be needed. The exchange setup crew and exchange volunteers are scheduled to be there about 15 minutes prior to the runners arriving.  You may arrive a few minutes before they do.. Don't panic!  They will be there!   Your departure time is also about 15 to 30 minutes after the last runner should depart your area.   This will let you “beat the traffic” of the team vans, and be on site if the runners are running a bit ahead of schedule.  Exact times are subject to change as we get closer to the date.   

Did I mention that the teams also dress up in costumes during the run?  Teams usually have a theme from characters from Alice in Wonderland - to Let's Storm Area 51.   There are prize for the Best Team Costume, Best Decorated Vehicle and Best Team Name.   The race is seriously fun!  Even as a spectator!   So Sign Up, play radio and watch the wackiness! 

You can find a link to the course map at https://tinyurl.com/2022M2M and can zoom in to find the location of each site 

Please complete the following form if you would like to volunteer  https://tinyurl.com/HamSignUpM2M2022

If you have questions email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.