General Instructions

 

The event is a 50-mile biathlon from Kintail to Beauly via Glen Affric. The first 20 miles to Affric Quarry is the foot section and this is where our resources are concentrated. The Scottish Ambulance Service covers the cycle section, to Beauly.

 

Competitors either walk or run the foot section.  The walkers start is at 09:00, runners at 11:00.  Check your on-air time!

 

As last year the runners are not wearing numbered tabards. Instead they wear two numbered wrist bands, which will be removed, at bike x–over and at the finish. This means we cannot easily track backmarkers and competitors who are of concern to 1st aid.  Do not attempt to ascertain numbers unless the competitor is stopped /injured beside you.

 

Reports:     1)   When in location and operational.

2)       The status of any 1st aid etc resources at your location.

3)       The time (not numbers) of first and last competitors past your position.

4)      Hill operators should remain in contact with control until they have returned to their vehicles - for safety purposes.

 

Casualty:    BEFORE CALLING CONTROL be sure you know:-

1)     the competitors location (where on the route are they, are they still moving?)

2)     the nature of the injury

3)     the competitors number

4)    what form of assistance you are requesting!

 

Access:      The public road to Glen Affric closes at Fasnakyle Power station at 11am.  No vehicles to be taken beyond Athnamulloch

 

Helicopter: 

 

The helicopter with the Casualty Surgeon carries a radio capable of operating on our frequencies.  He is always listening and has been known to transmit, although he does not have an amateur Callsign.  If he does call on our frequencies, please do not respond directly. Control will manage the communications with the helicopter(s) as we have airband capability.  Obviously, if control is not responding and you are capable of assisting do so.


Technical bits!  Please read carefully, it may appear complicated it isn’t. If you require clarification please ask!

 

We operate a single radio net procedure at all times, with a control station- GM0RIV. Checkpoints operate on either a VHF or UHF.  A combination of a R8 in-band talkthro unit and a cross band link integrate everything.  Please make allowance for the time taken for these units to secure the circuit before talking – about 2 seconds.

 

1.     UHF net – Start, Glenlicht, Allt Granda.

 

These checkpoints operate on 433.750MHz simplex.

 

The net will be linked into the VHF net via a cross band link at Glenlicht House.  With the UHF stations operating simplex, adjacent stations should hear each others transmissions directly thus creating the impression of a fully integrated net.  If you are not hearing an adjacent UHF operator but appear to hear others talking to them don’t panic, all is not lost. You can still operate but beware - you may “double” with them.  

 

2.     VHF Net - All other checkpoints & control

 

These checkpoints operate on R8  i.e. Receive on 145.800 MHz and Transmit on 145.200MHz

 

I have deliberately not described the contingency plans for operations should the talkthro units’ etc fail.  This is because the checkpoint operators will require to take no action, unless advised by the talkthro operators

 

High Tea!

 

I hope we can meet for the usual high tea (£8.00 approx.) 6pm at the Slaters Arms in Cannich (tbc). Partners and friends most welcome, but let me know if you are bringing a bus party!

 

Thank-you

 

Firstly a thank-you from myself to you for volunteering.  The number of potential operators seems to be decreasing each year – your value is therefore increasing!  Also on behalf of the Cross organisers can I thank-you in anticipation of a successful incident free day.


Deployment

 

Checkpoint

Km’s

NGR

Callsign

Operator

On: Air

M R Teams

Notes

Frequency

1

Start – Morvich

0

NG966210

GM4JAE

Ian

08:30:00

 

 

This group all requires 70cms capability.

 

Work locally simplex  on 433.750MHz.

 

Link into net via OMC’s mobile.

2

Glenlicht House

7

NH005173

GM0OMC

GM1MYR

Charles

Rita

08:30:00

Kintail

Operating from OMC vehicle also needs to work simultaneously as link unit

3

Allt Granda

9

NH022173

MM1ECU

Andrew

09:00:00

Gordonstoun Sch RT

 

4

Creag Ghlas, (Raynet only position)

 

NH038172

GM1VAD

Steve

09:30:00

 

 

 

 

This group all operate on R8

 

 

5

Camban

12

NH054184

GM4AWA

Ron

10:00:00

Kintail

There is an extra MRT point at the ford before Alltbeithe

6

Alltbeithe YH

16

NH079202

GM0NTI

Lindsey

10:30:00

Dundonald

7

Meadows (wooden bridge)

19

NH108208

GM4TXP

 

Alan

 

11:00:00

Cairngorm

 

8

Athnamulloch

21.5

NH134206

GM0GKR

GM0GKF

Roger

Fiona

11:30:00

Lochaber

OTI ?? will leave mobile for link unit when talk-thro is closed down .

9

Forest Boundary (cattle grid)

25

NH158215

GM0KNT

Arthur

12:00:00

Torridon

 

10

White Cottage

27.5

NH180224

GM4XJX

Ray

12:00:00

From quarry

 

11

Affric Quarry (Control)

 

NH212240

GM0RIV

John GM0OTI

Norman GM4JNB

F1ONA

08:30:00

Scottish Ambulance Service

Set up antenna on Friday Needs backup radio set & take telephone handset!

 

Talk thro

30

NH082192

GM8LMA

 

Chas GM8LMA

Donald GM7WJI

08:30:00

 

 

 

 


 

Anticipated Timings.

(Updated timings welcomed!!)

 

 

Checkpoint

1st walker

Last walker

1st runner

Last competitor

Start – Morvich

0900

 

1102

 

Glenlicht House

0930

1010

1122

1150

Allt Granda

0953

1040

1135

1211

Creag Ghlas, (comms only position)

1020

1105

1145

1242

Camban

1035

1140

1156

1308

Alltbeithe YH

1055

 

1212

1350

Meadows (wooden bridge)

1125

 

1225

1415

Athnamulloch