Introduction to Ham Radio at Rally
Some hams know what rallying is, and some don't. Here's a bit of information for those who don't. Some of us have been involved in rallies for several years,and always look forward to the next one. When we work in these events, we get out in the rain, sun, or snow just to help a bunch of crazy people try to see how fast they can roll a motorized tin can down a curving, rutty logging road, all for a hunk of wood and brass called a trophy. (Maybe we're crazy too!)
The cars are precisely timed while on the stage--minutes and hundredths of a minute required to go from start to finish. In a race, there may be only three to six stages, or in a big national race maybe ten, twenty, or thirty stages over two or three days. There may be as few as twenty, or as many as forty, fifty or more cars competing. Almost all of the cars will be smaller types.
What is Rally?
So, what's a rally or pro-rally, and why are hams involved? A rally is an automobile race unlike any other. No closed track like Indianapolis or Daytona --just a series of successive races ("special stages", they are called) over a planned and marked roads, one stage after another, with each car leaving the start of a stage at intervals of usually one minute (two when it's dusty).
Why use Hams
So, why use hams? Because the rally organizers need to have hams handling health and safety communications during the race. We are normally utilized at several points: start control, finish control, spectator points, road marshals, and sometimes, the more exciting positions in the advance, pace and sweep cars. Usually there will be a rally base or "mountaintop" control point with one or two hams, using two or more radios for monitoring multiple frequencies. (Each stage operation has it's own assigned frequency.) Start, finish, and spectator point hams are absolute requirements for each stage. We usually use 2-meter mobile rigs and handheld radios (with plenty of batteries!) for communication.
The stage start and finish control points are pretty calm, except for noting and reporting the start and finish order for each car on the stage. However, as soon as a car fails to report at the finish, things become more exciting, because this is a sign that something may have happened to one of the cars. That's when the finish ham notifies the finish timing crew and the start and the spectator hams of the problem, and everybody begins to try to find out what happened. Then you watch for reports of the car off the road, broken down, or any injuries if there is an accident. (Injuries rarely happen in a rally -- I've seen cars roll over several times, be set upright, and after a ton of duct tape to hold the body together and windows in, continue racing! Flats and broken axles are pretty common, however!) Medical personnel (EMT's) are at every stage, but rarely needed
Suggested Items to Bring to Rally
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2-meter mobile rig
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2-meter handy talkie (with extra batteries and/or DC supply
Ä Spare rig? (Rally Control needs 2 or 3 rigs & antennas)
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Magnetic-mount antennas, external extra-high coax
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Extra connections or adapters for 12-volt auto supply
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Maps of the area (Fold out or Road Runner)
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Flashlights and spare batteries, especially for night rallies
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Lantern (Propane, Battery, etc.)
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Paper, pens, pencils, clipboard
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Spare fuses, tools (high-visibility clothing).
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Bullhorn, umbrella (golf umbrella are great!), folding chairs.
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Food, water, reading material, survival gear.
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Mountain money (T.P.).
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Ham info packets (assignments, stage maps, competitors list, log form for car's status, etc.).
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Spare tire(s), extra engine oil, coolant, etc..
Conclusion
As you can see, we really do serve a purpose. With our help, this bunch of crazy people can go out and do 60-80-100+ miles per hour on unpaved logging road, and do it safely. We receive no pay, of course, but we are always invited to the awards bash at the end of the race, complete with food and videos of the day's race. The present Rally Organization in Olympia now does a great job of showing its appreciation to all of the volunteers, including hams. There's a lot of camaraderie, too, with the rally officials, stage captains, timing crews, road guards, service crews and the competitors
Thanks to Paul, KC7LA for the information on this page ----Sherri, KC7WEC
Who to Contact
If you are interested to trying rally communication please contact one of the following ham radio operators, or follow the Hot List to contact the SCCA directly.
John, N7PDC email to: chiefofcontrols@juno.com
Tom, KD7CYU email to: kd7cyu@yahoo.com
Sherri, KC7WEC email to: kc7wec@yahoo.com
Paul, KC7LA email to: paultkc7la@hotmail.com
Hot Links
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Hot List Links to other sites
O Photos Race and Rally Pictures
O Rally Worker Instructions Instructions for different positions available for working a rally.Return to Home Page
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