Race Comms for the 2026 Sea of Blue Walk/5K/10K

Posted on by Marion Mason

For the second year, EAWA members and friends teamed up with the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to provide race communications for the Sea of Blue Autism Awareness Walk/5K/10K. Directors Matt and Susan Heel do an amazing job organizing all aspects of the event, including welcoming the race communications team. (Learn more about Sea of Blue here.)

The Race Communications Team, from left to right: Tracey AC1UN, Dick W1KRP, Stan W1BOY, Mel W1MEB, Greg KC1RID, John KQ1P, Mark W1ABY, Rob W8HAP, Bernie KI4VCR, Jeff KA1DBE, Joan W1DLC, Steve KD1O, Alex KC1ZBO and his daughter, Eve, Barbara KC1SSY, Bill KC2NMK, Andrew W1AXS, Jesse KC1YSY, and Judy holding Gigi, our canine support pup.

The morning of Saturday, April 25th, started early for the operators setting up the equipment in the EMA trailer. Special thanks goes to Andrew W1AXS for authorizing use of the Hancock County EMA trailer. The warm, sunny day put everyone in a great mood! At 7:30am, in a cozy room at the Neighborhood House in Northeast Harbor, Barbara KC1SSY started the pre-race briefing. The Sea of Blue race directors graciously provided coffee and donuts, along with special race communications shirts. Also, as a gift of gratitude, the operators received coffee mugs with both the Autism Awareness logo and the EAWA club logo.

The gathering started with passing out shirts and mugs. Once the pre-race briefing began, it was time to get serious.

Following the meeting, the operators moved into their assigned positions. Joan W1DLC began the official net at 9:00am, with each station checking in using tactical callsigns. Each of the seven stations was ready to go when the event started. Those who were walking in the event started at 9:30am, and those running started at 10:00am.

Joan W1DLC, Stan W1BOY, Jesse KC1YSY, and Rob W8HAP handled communications in the net control trailer.

Race communications ran smoothly through net control. Stations reported on the first three runners of each race and the last runner. In the net control trailer, Jesse KC1YSY, noted on a white board the locations of the lead runners and the last as they moved beyond each station. Thankfully there were no emergencies and all went as planned.

Some of the stations shared photos: Top left, Barbara KC1SSY, Tracey AC1UN, and Matt KC1VLH (race director) at Station 2, and top right, Steve KD1O at Station 4. Bottom left, Jeff KA1DBE and Bernie KI4VCR at Station 5, and Dick W1KRP stationed as a liaison between the net control trailer and the race directors, shown chatting with Jeff and Bernie.

As the last runner passed each station, operators packed up equipment and relocated to either another station or the central hub, the Neighborhood House. Along with the walkers and runners, the operators were treated to sandwiches, cookies, and other snacks at the finish line.

The operators enjoyed swapping stories while enjoying snacks and the festivities.

Community service and emergency preparedness are critically important to the EAWA and the Hancock County EMA. Thanks again to Barbara KC1SSY, Joan W1DLC, and Matt KC1VLH, for your many hours of thoughtful planning and leadership. While all of the operators enjoyed the camaraderie with other operators and the festivities, there is a serious side to this exercise. The race event presents an opportunity to hone our skills, put our equipment through the paces, and practice the art of moving information along radio channels in an accurate and timely manner.

Random scenes from the day. The last two photos are yours truly, Marion W1GRL, running the 10K.

Community service, emergency practice, good food, and a warm, sunny weather — we couldn’t have asked for anything better!
Written by Marion W1GRL

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