IT IS NOT THEMOUNTAIN WE CONQUER, BUT OURSELVES
This the 2nd running of the Baw Baw Extreme https://bawbawextreme.com.au was held 15th ~ 16th October 2022. WICEN Victoria was there again to assist the event organisers with emergency and logistic communications in the high country.
The information below is part of a post action report from a debrief held via Zoom as circulated by the Event Commander, Chris VK3CJK. This gives you a small insight into all the vast amount of pre-event planning as well as the capturing of “what worked and what did not work” to make future training events safer and more efficient to the operators.
Operators:
Fifteen radio operators assisted with competitor tracking, logistics and safety.
OH&S:
CP11A was at 1500 metres and very cold. The radio operator needed to go for a short hike a few times to warm up. (our operator was John VK3JSN as well equipped and experienced Alpine S&R and Ski Patrol member. Experienced outdoorsman at a checkpoint only someone like John could be deployed too.)
Preparation:
The event Comms Manual all checked out well.
Despite a few holes in the manual, radio ops were kept informed of what info was expected late in the piece. ‘Just in Time’ info comes to mind…
Pre-event info was all good.
Camping / Accommodation:
CP1 – used swag adjacent to road.
Accommodation provided in Erica township was good.
Accommodation in Baw Baw Village was generally satisfactory.
Radio Comms:
Checkpoint 0 (CP0) could not establish comms via the main event repeater (RWP – even using a beam at height) so resorted to the secondary channel VK3RLV which worked well.
CP1 used 2 element beam at 8 m – worked satisfactorily.
CP9 observed occasional fading on RWP (could have been the link to AWI).
CP10 – flowerpot at 8 m worked very well.
The X-band link was sometimes difficult to hear (it experienced occasional fading, and the audio quality was suboptimal). Small beams at each end would have helped.
CP11A used reverse into RWP in order to trigger the link.
Radio modelling has shown that using a VHF link from AWI to Moe South and a UHF link to RWP @ CP11 should give significantly better results for the X-band link.
Interaction with Organisers / Competitors:
Not all check points had officials, so radio operators were had to take each competitor’s bib number. Very useful having a pair of operators. Almost all operators reported that the competitors were very grateful for having radio comms from the various checkpoints; it made them feel safer on the course. Competitors were very friendly.
A pair of unwell competitors notified the Chief Safety Officer of their predicament. One of the radio operators kindly offered to transport them to Baw Baw Village, which saved them a wait of 2 – 3 hours. Thanks to Dan VK3NDG one of our newest members offering to do this. Not expected but a gracious offer appreciated by the competitors and the event organisers.
CP11 used a competitor tracking sheet that ticked off each competitor known to depart the previous checkpoint once they arrived at CP11. Knowing the competitor bib numbering scheme made life easier this time.
Other:
It was helpful having a roving operator (which he did once he’d finished his own checkpoint). Apart from being able to look over other checkpoints, it allowed one operator to leave a little earlier than would otherwise have occurred.
CP10 noted that there was good Optus and Vodafone coverage, but no Telstra.
GPS black spots and/or trackers not placed optimally resulted in false positions shown on the tracking software. However, the software also displayed how long it was since the last tracking update.
AWI noted the efficiency resulting from stations calling in with competitor numbers announcing as much on their initial call. Some on-air training occurred in this matter.
AWI had the benefit of an 80″ touch display showing competitor positions around the course. This was an unexpected bonus (not something we usually have at events).
Thank you again to everyone who volunteered and helped make it a successful event – the organisers were very happy with WICEN’s contribution.
