Gran Fondo 2026 Ham Radio Operator Registration
Gran Fondo 2026 Liability Release Form
Scroll down on the page to see the form.
Gran Fondo 2026 ERTRAK Map Traccar Setup
Ham Radio Operators:
Riders start on the course at 7:30 AM. The Ride Support Zones map below right provides estimated support times for each area.
Please be at your assigned position and setup 15 minutes ahead of any riders arriving.
The course closes at 3:30 PM. Lunch will be served in the school cafeteria 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
I will have your requested size T-Shirt at the ARES trailer. You may pick up your T-Shirt before or after the ride.
- Configure your cellphone to use the ERTRAK map website and the Traccar App – (email me if you need assistance – [email protected])
- Wear reflective vest
- Wear Radio Operator Badge
- Have your Ham Radio Operator License with you
- If you are operating in a remote location please use cross band repeating if necessary. Cross Band Repeater How To
- Bring ICS-214 to record notable events
- Manual Counter (if you have one)
- Bring extra radio batteries, extra radio if available
- Display Gran Fondo Communication Support Notice on your vehicle windshield. Tape this to the outside of your windshield.
- Configure your radio to use repeaters – Contact [email protected] if you need assistance programming your radio
146.600 MHz – /103.5 Hz (tone) WA5EOC repeater Montgomery
444.900 MHz + /103.5 Hz (tone) WA5AIR repeater Montgomery
Bkup 146.740 MHz – /156.7 Hz (tone) W5JSC repeater Navasota
Communicating with Net Control:
Use your tactical call sign to contact net control. End your call with your FCC call sign
Example:
WW5TOM: Net Control – Rest Area 1
NC: Rest Area 1
WW5TOM: Rider Needs Mechanical Assistance Bib #1234
NC: Confirmed – Rider Needs Mechanical Assistance
WW5TOM: WW5TOM clear
In Case of an Emergency:
{your call sign}: Emergency Emergency Emergency {tactical call sign} {details} {your call sign}
NC: All traffic please standby for an emergency –
NC: Repeats Details of the emergency {tactical call sign} “how copy?”
{your call sign}: Good Copy {your call sign} clear
Suggestions:
- Bring a chair
- Bring drinks and snacks
- Lunch will be served 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM in the school cafeteria
| Tactical | Call Sign | Location |
| Net Control | MCHS Building | |
| Net Control | K5DKK | MCHS ARES Trailer |
| Net Control | W5RFY | MCHS ARES Trailer |
| Net Control | KJ5GZR | MCHS ARES Trailer |
| Net Control | KE5STL | Remote Assistance |
| Liaison 1 | WW5TOM | MCHS Building |
| Liaison 2 | MCHS Building | |
| Staging | MCHS Parking Lot | |
| Rest Area 1 | K5DLD | FM 149 @ Lone Star Trailhead |
| Rest Area 2 | KB5FLX | Richards, TX |
| Rest Area 3 | KT5INA | Anderson, TX |
| Rest Area 4 | KG5FFX | Bethel Rd @ Lone Star Trailhead |
| Water Stop Only | KF5IUM | FM 3090 @ FM 244 Anderson, TX |
| Watcher 1 | TBD – Rest Stop Relief | |
| Watcher 2 | N8QR | TX-90 @ LEO 2 – Gate |
| Watcher 3 | TX-30 and FM-2562 | |
| Watcher 4 | KG5JRA & XYL | 2819 @ 2562 Gate |
| SAG 6 | K5GLM | SAG 6 |
| SAG 7-T | SAG 7-T | |
| SAG 5 | KG2SAG | SAG 5 |
| MOTO-6 | MOTO-6 |
Zone A from the start to Rest Stop 1 is expected to have traffic 7:30 – 10:15. Zone B from RS1 to RS 2 is expected to be active 8am – 3pm because it also includes the return from Richards to Bethel Road. I would like the Watchers to be in place 15 minutes before the indicated start of a rider presence. Note that the arrows on the map indicate the preferred route for SAG Drivers to take as it is opposite of the rider traffic. For the Water Stop (FM 3090 @ TX 244), I expect traffic could be there as early as 9:30. However, if strong winds are from the west, the route might be skipped entirely. The finish time for this zone should be 2:15 rather than 3:00 as shown.
