Volunteer operators are needed to support the 3rd annual running of the MendocinoCoast 50K ultramarathon on Saturday April 21, 2018. This is a 50 kilometer (31 mile) foot race through the hills and woods east of Mendocino, starting and ending at BigRiverState beach. General information about the event can be found at:
Operators are needed for the locations and times listed below. Email Tim WB9NJS at to volunteer for an assignment. The starting and ending times for each assignment include estimated travel time from and back to the start/finish line. Actual times each station is expected to be on the air and details of each location are provided at the end of this document. A map of the course, including the aid station locations can be found at: (scroll down to view or download map)
Net Control (start/finish line) - Big RiverStateBeach
Two shifts, with at least 2 operators per shift
Shift 1: 07:00 – 12:00
Shift 2: 11:30 – 16:30
Aid Station 1 – Big River Trail
One operator, single shift: 07:00 – 09:30
Aid Station 2 – Mendocino Woodlands
One operator, single shift: 08:15 – 11:15
Aid Station 3 – Manly
One operator, single shift: 09:00 – 13:45
Aid Station 4 – 409
One operator, single shift: 10:00 – 15:00
(This could be split into two shifts)
Aid Station 5 – RussianGulchState Park
Two shifts, one operator per shift
Shift 1: 10:50 – 14:10
Shift 2: 13:20 – 16:40
Radio operations will take place on the 146.82 repeater. In most cases, a mobile radio on low or medium power will be more than adequate to access the repeater. All locations are accessible by 2 wheel drive vehicles, although some do require driving on unpaved road.
Operators who accept an assignment at one of the first three aid stations are welcome to return to the start/finish line to assist with net control, take an assignment at either aid station 4 or 5, or call it a day after completing their initial assignment.
Following this event, there will be a “Ham-B-Que” social gathering at the home of KK6RPX on Albion Ridge road. All hams are welcome to attend the Ham-B-Que, whether or not they participate in the support of the ultramarathon. Check the WARS webpage for more information about the Ham-B-Que.
Radio needs and aid station locations for the 2018 MendocinoCoast 50K ultramarathon - April 21, 2018
Net Control (start/finish line) - Big RiverStateBeach
Two shifts, with at least 2 operators per shift
Shift 1: 07:00 – 12:00
Shift 2: 11:30 – 16:30
The start/finish line is at the head of the Big River Trail at BigRiverStateBeach, just south of the village of Mendocino, on the east side of Highway 1. This location needs to have a pop-up shelter, one or more tables, chairs, a base station radio with a portable power source (battery) and a portable antenna.
Aid Station 1 – Big River Trail
One operator, single shift
This aid station is 4.8 miles from the start/finish line, along the Big River Trail (not normally open to vehicular traffic). Operator is scheduled to leave start/finish in their vehicle at 07:10. The aid station is scheduled to be open from race start (07:30) until approximately 09:00. The operator and aid station staff will return to the start finish line after the station closes (20-25 minute drive).Note:In past years, this aid station has been thick with mosquitoes, so the operator assigned should come prepared with long sleeved garments, insect repellant and mosquito netting.
Aid Station 2 – Mendocino Woodlands
One operator, single shift
Operator should have thisstation on the air at 08:30. This aid station is scheduled to be open from 08:30 until approximately 11:00. The operator and aid station staff may return to the start finish line after the station closes. This aid station is 5.5 miles from the start finish line, about a 15 minute drive, mostly on paved road.
Aid Station 3 – Manly
One operator, single shift
Operator should have this station on the air at 09:30. This aid station is scheduled to be open from 09:30 until approximately 13:15. The operator and aid station staff may return to the start finish line after the station closes. Depending on the route taken, this aid station is between 7.5 and 10.5 miles from the start finish line, resulting in a 20 to 25 minute drive. This is the most remote of all the aid stations and requires driving a few miles on an unpaved road.
Aid Station 4 – 409
One, possibly two shifts, one operator per shift
Operator should have this station on the air at 10:15. This aid station is scheduled to be open from 10:15 until approximately 14:45. The operator and aid station staff may return to the start finish line after the station closes. Although parking at this site is limited, it is easily accessible by paved road. The aid station is located approximately 3 miles east of Highway 1 on Caspar-Little Lake road (county road 409) and is only about a 15 minute drive from the start/finish line.
Aid Station 5 – RussianGulchState Park
Two shifts, one operator per shift
Shift 1: 11:00 – 14:00
Shift 2: 13:30 – 16:30
The first operator should have this station on the air at 11:00. Since this aid station is the last, and the runners spread out along the course, it is scheduled to be open from 11:00 until approximately 16:00. This station is easily accessible from Highway 1 and only a few minutes from the start finish line, so it should be easy to either switch operators or relieve the operator if someone wants to cover the entire time. This location has the poorest coverage to the repeater and will requirea vehicle with a mobile radio and good external antenna.