Anyone Work Comms for Boston Marathon?

[ghettomedic]

I am Express 54

 

[cockpitbob]

I am Express 54

I assume that means you'll be riding in a bus, dry and warm. I'll be at a water station at mile-8 with no shelter that I'm aware of. The good news is the station Captain says we should be done by 2:00 which is right about when the heavy rain is supposed to start. It's going to be 40deg when we start setting up and never reach 50. Ick.

Still, it should be a lot of fun (except for the getting up at 4:00am part).

 

[ghettomedic]

I assume that means you'll be riding in a bus, dry and warm. I'll be at a water station at mile-8 with no shelter that I'm aware of. The good news is the station Captain says we should be done by 2:00 which is right about when the heavy rain is supposed to start. It's going to be 40deg when we start setting up and never reach 50. Ick.

Still, it should be a lot of fun (except for the getting up at 4:00am part).

Yes, I was on a dry but very cold school bus.

I had a lot of fun and cannot wait to do it again next year. We were done at 6:00

 

[cockpitbob]

Because my water station was at mile-8 the last runner past us at around 1:00 and we were cleaned-up and done by 2:00. I was home a little after 3:00

The water station was impressive. Once they closed the road we moved the tables on to the road and started placing and filling cups. As you see, they stack them 4 tall. Each table had about 950 cups!!! Each mile has 2 water stations, one on each side of the road. Each side has 13 tables. In about 2 hours Station-8 placed and filled about 25,000 cups!!!!!!!!

Now I know the burning question you all have is "After the last runner goes by, and you still have thousands of cups on the table, what do you do?"
(10 second video)
[video]http://vid120.photobucket.com/albums/o170/cockpitbob/VID_20150420_1303275961_zpscrv6g6pk.mp4[/video]

Clean-up of the cups is done with leaf rakes and snow shovels.

 

[mjbff]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ zzzzzzzz ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZgoodforyou

 

[Sprocket]

Marathon folks could take a lesson from the NASCAR world. Clear packs, limits, etc. I'm not saying make everyone pay a fee to watch because it's not an arena event. Just keep it civil friendly and cordial. If you want a police event then jbt all you want. Us Citizens want our bread and circus but don't pretend to make "rules" for "the children"...

If Boston Strong were an acronym what would it be?

 

[chaser001]

Stupid phone uploads pictures sideways...




I worked parking in Hopkinton...I spend my day shadowing a BAA rep & driving from lot to lot. at one point they announced a 'rules change' for the screening areas. I told my rep and he said "What hell am I supposed to do with that information? Screw them I'm not changing anything."

We were done by 11:15.

 

[cockpitbob]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ zzzzzzzz ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZgoodforyou

Hey mjbitt, if you're looking for steamy intrigue or life and death conflict, the Ham Radio forum is the last place you should be

 

[cockpitbob]

It's that time of year again.

I'm assigned to the first aid station at mile-1. Yawn. That should be pretty easy duty. I don't think there will be many dropouts after 5 to 7 minutes of running. The bad part is I have to report for duty at the pre-meeting in Natick at 5:30am. Some of the transportation and water-station people don't have to show-up until 7:00. The good part about this assignment is we'll probably close shop 4 hours earlier than the stations near the end of the course. That will give me time to go home, have a nice meal, maybe take a nap, then go to the volunteer's after-party at Fenway.

 

[ghettomedic]

It's that time of year again.

I'm assigned to the first aid station at mile-1. Yawn. That should be pretty easy duty. I don't think there will be many dropouts after 5 to 7 minutes of running. The bad part is I have to report for duty at the pre-meeting in Natick at 5:30am. Some of the transportation and water-station people don't have to show-up until 7:00. The good part about this assignment is we'll probably close shop 4 hours earlier than the stations near the end of the course. That will give me time to go home, have a nice meal, maybe take a nap, then go to the volunteer's after-party at Fenway.

Yeah, I live within a couple hundred yards of Med 1. Unfortunately I am on transportation so I get to leave Ashland at 5:30 to drive up to Woburn, get on a van and return to Med 1 to stage.

 

[cockpitbob]

g-medic, last year they posted a zillion documents on their web site, including the bus routes, course map, and most important, the primary and secondary frequencies for each station (segment communication plan, I think). Do you know anything about if/when some of that will be available?

 

[ghettomedic]

g-medic, last year they posted a zillion documents on their web site, including the bus routes, course map, and most important, the primary and secondary frequencies for each station (segment communication plan, I think). Do you know anything about if/when some of that will be available?

Yeah, I remember last year. They got A LOT of complaints so this year they are waiting until finalized before posting to reduce revisions. The course segment coordinator states his should be posted today. Are you on the event forum? I will PM you the address for that.

 

[Suppressor]

I assume you have to disarm and be completely unprepared, if you want to volunteer? I wouldn't go near the marathon without a firearm, a knife, a flashlight, spare ammunition and a combat trauma kit.

 

[cockpitbob]

I assume you have to disarm and be completely unprepared, if you want to volunteer? I wouldn't go near the marathon without a firearm, a knife, a flashlight, spare ammunition and a combat trauma kit.

There's a very big chance of getting searched, especially since I'll have to carry lunch and support gear.

There will be a LOT of uniformed and non-uniformed security there. The last 2 years, from my station I was never out of sight of at least 2 armed security people (police or military). I'm sure there's as many plain clothed ones around I couldn't detect. After some thought I decided that if I drew a weapon I was just as likely to get shot by a good guy as a bad guy. So, I'm going with the world's oldest form of self-defense...running.

 

[cockpitbob]

Drones...

They've made the Marathon course a No-Drone-Zone. That gives me something fun to look out for. I'm hoping some ignorant yahoo flies his drone over the course. I would love to see what security does about it.

Hmmm:
Radio jammer?
Drone to drone combat? Maybe hang a tangle-net from a drone.
Drone seeking missile?

I'm sure the security people have (unannounced) plans for dealing with this. It would be cool to see.

 

[ghettomedic]

There's a very big chance of getting searched, especially since I'll have to carry lunch and support gear.

There will be a LOT of uniformed and non-uniformed security there. The last 2 years, from my station I was never out of sight of at least 2 armed security people (police or military). I'm sure there's as many plain clothed ones around I couldn't detect. After some thought I decided that if I drew a weapon I was just as likely to get shot by a good guy as a bad guy. So, I'm going with the world's oldest form of self-defense...running.

Just run over to my house and raid my safe. My wife should be home.

 

[cockpitbob]

Just run over to my house and raid my safe. My wife should be home.

I can just see it. "Hi! I'll try to make myself heard over all the sirens and explosions. My name is Bob. You've never met me, and neither has your husband, but he said you would let me raid his safe. Can I have a gun?"

 

[Rob Boudrie]

I would love to see what security does about it.

12ga w/#7?

After some thought I decided that if I drew a weapon I was just as likely to get shot by a good guy as a bad guy. So, I'm going with the world's oldest form of self-defense...running.

True of many "secured" venues (for example, Las Vegas casinos). The issue is that the ones with checkpoints or the force of law implicitly require that you are unarmed on your travel to and from.

The exception is AZ where public places banning guns have to let you check them. Our hero, former MA resident and one man think tank CD Tavares noticed a "no guns" sign in an AZ library and caused all sorts of problems by making them establish a gun checking procedure.

 

[Suppressor]

It appears that spectators, and the general public just passing by on the street, are "discouraged" from having weapons, but they are not prohibited. It is a public street, after all. Are they going to go door-to-door, to each of the houses along the route, and confiscate weapons from legal gun owners because the route passes in front of a house where weapons might be stored? Oh wait... This is Massachusetts...

It appears that drone are "discouraged," but the BAA does not have the authority to ban them - only the FAA can do that. Perhaps they have. Need to look for a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in the NOTAM (Notices to Airmen) database.

FAA TFR database link.

From the BAA website:

Spectators along the course are discouraged from possessing any of the items listed below. Possession of any of these items may result in delays when passing through security checkpoints and enhanced screening. (see image to the right, click to enlarge)

• Weapons or items of any kind that may be used as weapons, including firearms, knives, mace, etc.
• Backpacks or any similar item carried over the shoulder.
• Suitcases and rolling bags/rollers.
• Coolers.
• Glass containers or cans.
• Flammable liquids, fuels, fireworks or explosives.
• Any container capable of carrying more than 1 liter of liquid.
• Handbags or packages or bulky items larger than 12 inches x 12 inches x 6 inches.
• Large blankets/comforters, duvets, sleeping bags.
• Costumes covering the face or any non-form fitting, bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body.
• Props (including sporting equipment and military and fire gear).

In addition, public safety officials are asking the public to assist in creating a No-Drone Zone along the entire course at this year's Boston Marathon. The use of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) anywhere in the area of the course, including above runners and spectators, is strongly discouraged.

 

[cockpitbob]

Normal background radiation being measured around Boston prior to Boston Marathon.

The 80 sq-mile area being measured doesn't begin to cover the whole 26 mile long (linear) Marathon course, and no mention of doing it at the Marathon staging area 26 miles to the west where they will have about 35,000 people concentrated in a small area.
It makes perfect sense. If you want to detect someone with an imperfectly shielded dirty bomb, you need to know what the naturally occurring background radiation looks like. Now I have 1 more interesting thing to look for while on duty; a helicopter with an instrumentation pod.

On a bizarre, humorous note, wouldn't it be something if a bunch of radiation therapy patients all decided to watch the Marathon as a group. Maybe our detectors can tell the type of radiation so it wouldn't trigger a massive response.

 

[cockpitbob]

3 days till the Marathon and I'm starting to shift my sleeping hours cuz I have to get up before 4:00am on Monday.

Is it just ghettomedic and me? No one else working the the Marathon this year?

 

[ghettomedic]

Is it just ghettomedic and me? No one else working the the Marathon this year?

Nope, just us. We got the whole thing under control

 

[chaser001]

I'll be at the start line again this year.

 

[cockpitbob]

I just got reassigned to med tent #6. I was at #1 which meant I got to go home real early. But now I don't have to be at the pre-race meeting until 6:00 and the meeting is closer to home. I can get up at 4:45 instead of 4:00

Chaser, you must have to be up really, really early. What time do you have to report for duty?

 

[jeepchute]

I'll be at the start line as well. W1ACY

 

[cockpitbob]

So who's going to the after-party at Fenway that night? I am, and if I can get into Boston this weekend to get tickets for the wife and 1 son they'll go to.

 

[chaser001]

I just got reassigned to med tent #6. I was at #1 which meant I got to go home real early. But now I don't have to be at the pre-race meeting until 6:00 and the meeting is closer to home. I can get up at 4:45 instead of 4:00

Chaser, you must have to be up really, really early. What time do you have to report for duty?

Yeah I will leave my house for Hopkington by 3 AM.

I'll be at the start line as well. W1ACY

Awesome - my first assignment of the day is Hopkington Approach. KB1ZVR

 

[ChevyGuy91]

I am curious, are the frequencies for this event kept secret or can anyone tune in and listen?

 

[cockpitbob]

The start area and finish area use mostly simplex with tone squelchs, but the course (water and medical stations) and runner transportation vans employ about 20 repeaters. Scan the usual repeaters along the course and you'll hear the chatter. There will be more chatter towards Boston as more runners have medical issues.

 

[ghettomedic]

I am curious, are the frequencies for this event kept secret or can anyone tune in and listen?

Unfortunately they marked it with this:
**** RESTRICTED MATERIAL **** BAA VOLUNTEERS ONLY **** NOT FOR GENERAL RELEASE ****

But yes, for the most part every repeater along the course will be used in some capactity