Category Archives: Events

Volunteers Needed for Wright Stuff Century-September 6

The Wright Stuff Century rides on September 6, starting at Brigham County Park. It is not as big as some of our other events, under 200 riders, 2 supported rest stops, 3 routes of 35, 65 and 100 miles. It is however one of our most spread out. While the route is not finalized as of yet using last year as an example the ride goes as far SE as Mount Horeb and NE 4 miles past Taliesin (thus the name). I’m looking for people at the rest stops and 3 SAG vehicles with an additional person to ride along with the SAG that the Bombay Bicycle Club will provide. If you are able to SAG but you don’t have a bike rack I have one you can use. If all you have is a hand held radio, we can arrange a mobile for you. Given the terrain a hand held alone will be frustrating.

If you have any questions drop a note to Jeff, K9UNZ: me@k9unz.me

Jeff, K9UNZ

Volunteers Needed for Badger Challenge – September 27

The Badger Challenge Public Service Event needs ham support. The event is on Sunday, September 27 and supports the UW Carbone Cancer Center. There are also opportunities to help before then and perhaps learn a few new things. This event can be used for people working on their AUXCOMM Position Task Book.

We need:

  • SAG Drivers
  • Course Marshals
  • Net Control Operators
  • Bicycle Mobile Operators
  • People to manage the event DMR radio cache
  • People to set up and manage an AREDN network providing camera coverage
  • Someone to set up APRS trackers and help SAG drivers who have their own trackers.

Before the event, we (some of you) will also check out repeater coverage and make sure the AREDN network and cameras are properly configured and running.

If you can help out, send an email to: N9TWA@arrl.net.

Indicate:

  • Positions you could assist with
  • Your preferred email address
  • Your cell phone number
  • Your shirt size
  • Availability the day of the event:
    • 6 AM – Noon
    • Noon – 6 PM
    • All day

I will follow-up, to those who are interested, with a more detailed description of the assistance needed.

Joe, N9TWA@arrl.net

Volunteers still needed for Bike the Barns 9/20/2026

I am happy to invite you to volunteer for this year’s Fairshare CSA Bike The Barns ride. Our participation as an ARES/RACES activation is important practice in the event of an official activation. For all other hams, it provides an opportunity to serve the public in CSA’s important mission.

And because the Fairshare CSA Coalition runs a very professional ride–over 750 riders last year–that have a good staff organization, lots of good food, and an enjoyable day between Madison and Mt. Horeb.

I’m hoping you’ll volunteer for public safety assistance at this great annual ride: Bike the Barns will be run this year on September 20.
If you’re available, please send this information back to me at: rrabrams@icloud.com

Name:

Call Sign:

Email Address:

Preferred Phone Number:

Preferred Position: such as SAG, Rest/Water Stop, Net Control help…

Do you have HT/2m radios with/without APRS to use or loan?:

Available hours between 8am-5pm?:

Bike rack on your vehicle?:

Bike rack to share with other drivers?:

Bike The Barns t-shirt size:

Additional comments:

I’m sending this request for volunteers ahead of final details and IC205 Form for radio frequencies we’ll use.

We have a special need this year for SAG drivers, radio operators traveling with SAGs, and those with spare bike racks to share.

There will be “short” and “long” routes, starting at 9:00 am and all finishing between 4:00 and 5:00 pm. We hope you’ll join us for a great day of protecting riders, food during the day, and a food-packed reception at the end of the day.

Short route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55786882

Long route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55786927

Both routes: Google map with both routes included

Provisional Route timing: Spreadsheet

Wright Stuff Century 2026 Maps

The Wright Stuff Century will ride on September 6, 2026, starting and ending at Brigham County Park. Preparations are underway and I’ll be sending out an email for anyone who is available soon.

In preparation, here are some links to maps for the event.

Dane/Iowa County ARES/RACES July 2026 In-Person Meeting

It is the last Wednesday of the Month so we will be meeting in person this week. No Radio Net Meeting!

As usual we will meet at the Dane County Emergency Management office at 2982 Kapec Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53719 at 7:00 pm on July 29.

Our main agenda item will be introducing you all to our new team application to help keep track of all of us. This has been pushed off the agenda for other items for at least a couple of months so, in addition to walking through some of our upcoming events, we’ll get through the app. We’ve had a couple people using it over the last month or so and I’l like to move it to the rest of the team for your use and comment.

If you are unable to attend please join us virtually. I’ll be sending out the virtual information in an email later. If you do not get the email please send a note to kb9orn@gmail.com for a copy.

Jeff

May 2026 Dane/Iowa County ARES/RACES In-Person Meeting

This coming week we’ll be having our last Wednesday of the Month In-Person meeting at the EOC. I’ve learned that a mesh network is being built out around the county and I’ve asked Nicholas , KB9SKW to let us know how it has been going, what kind of mesh it is, how we might get involved and I’d like us to consider how we might take advantage of it for emergency and public service purposes.

I’ve been working on some software that I think is ready to share with you all as well if we have time.

Last Month Jeremy, N9VHT walked us through the latest version of skylog.net, which is logging software we use for logging severe weather events and most of our bike events. I have uploaded a copy of his presentation here: youtu.be/MClVh029yo0

I am populating the information for Horribly Hilly Hundreds even as we speak so we can use it and take advantage of all the new features he is building in.

As usual we will meet at the Dane County Emergency Operations Center at 2982 Kapec Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53719 (fillian.net/eocmap) on Wednesday, May 28, at 7:00 pm.

If you are unable to attend there is a Google meet connection that is available. The link information went out in the email I sent along to the team email addresses. If you didn’t receive the email and would like to attend virtually let me know at k9unz@arrl.net.

Dane/Iowa ARES/RACES Nets during Field Day

During ARRL Field Day exercises this year we will be exercising the frequencies on our ARES Communication Plan. We will conduct a series of Nets starting at 4:00 PM on Saturday, June 28. If all goes according to plan we should be done by just after 4:30. I have a document outlining the times and purposes of each net. We would like to see how we propagate both with our repeaters as well as with Simplex frequencies. If you are available on Saturday at 4 please plan on joining us.

The plan and timing as well as the ICS205 can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wNo8SmguZ6o-fQ93Kqa8Nz1hjWjqYvaIv9BUT_mBCZ4/edit?usp=sharing

Let me know if you have any questions at me@k9unz.me (k9unz@arrl.net)

73,

Jeff