Gran Fondo 2025 Ham Radio Operator Registration

Gran Fondo 2025 Liability Release Form
Scroll down on the page to see the form.

Gran Fondo 2025 ERTRAK Map  Traccar Setup

Gran Fondo 2025 Ride-Day

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 – ww5tom@arrl.net)
  • 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 ww5tom@arrl.net 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 K5GLM MCHS Building
Net Control K5DKK MCHS ARES Trailer
Net Control W5RFY MCHS ARES Trailer
Net Control WB5TAD MCHS ARES Trailer
Net Control KE5STL Remote Assistance
Liaison 1 KD5JHW MCHS Building
Liaison 2 KJ5GZR MCHS Building
Staging KJ5GZR MCHS Parking Lot
Rest Area 1 K5DLD FM 149 @ Lone Star Trailhead
Rest Area 2 KB5FLX, KJ5BSE Richards, TX
Rest Area 3 KT5SR Anderson, TX
Rest Area 4 W5PLA & FM
Water Stop Only KC5MW, WW5TOM
Watcher  1 KJ5PBZ TBD – Rest Stop Relief
Watcher  2 K5PRS TX-90 @ LEO 2 – Gate
Watcher  3 KI5MJD TX-30 and FM-2562
Watcher  4 KG5JRA & XYL & KE5KTJ 2819 @ 2562 Gate
SAG 6 N5WAR SAG 6
SAG 7-T KG5FAR SAG 7-T
SAG 5 KG2SAG SAG 5
MOTO-6 WA5SON 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.