Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club
Public Service schedule
2008
 
What is public service?

One of the reasons that the FCC established the amateur radio service was for the "Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary non-commercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications."

CVARC members, like many other hams, volunteer their time and equipment to help with communication during public events like races and parades.Working with the event organizers, hams can get a message through from one end of an event to the other, to help the organizers stay on top of things.

CVARC upcoming public service events

EVERY ham, REGARDLESS of experience has the opportunity to participate and hone their skills at these events. The biggest perceived barrier to event participation is not having the right equipment. Loaner radios of various types are available during events.

Public service events are a great way to learn and gain experience with your radios and equipment. The events are usually low key and fun. When the Big Event happens at 3 AM some Wednesday you'll be glad you worked the bugs out during a noon weekend 5k Fun Walk. The free t-shirts aren't bad either.

If you would like to volunteer to help with any of these events, please contact the CVARC Communications Activity Director:
 
EricWatson, KØECW
k0ecw.ericwatson@gmail.com
319-361-7951

For your information, Iowa ARES District 6 West has an online calendar "Eastern Iowa Amateur Radio Events," including some of the events listed on this page. ARES District 6 West covers Benton, Blackhawk, Buchanan, Cedar, Johnson, Jones, Iowa and Linn counties in Iowa.

Click on the "details" link (if present) to see more about CVARC helping with an  upcoming event:
Multiple Sclerosis Walk details

19 April, Saturday: We will meet at Washington School at 0930 and the Walk starts at 1000 with an expected finish around 1200. Hams will monitor the course from Washington High School to Brucemore and back. Here's a map to Washington High School, 2205 Forest Drive SE Cedar Rapids, IA.
CVARC past public service events

Ham radio volunteers from the Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club (CVARC) have helped out at a number of area events over the past few years:

• Alzheimer'sWalk at Noelridge Park, Cedar Rapids – CVARC volunteers stationed themselves along the course and at the start/finish line, letting the organizers know where walkers were on the course, and ready to call the organizers for help if any assistance was needed.

• Pigman Sprint and Triathlon, Pleasant Creek Recreation Area, Palo – CVARC volunteers stationed themselves along the course – including out on the water and at the start/finish line.We kept the organizers informed about participants on the course, such as when the first and last participants had passed checkpoints.

• Dragon Boat Races, Pleasant Creek Recreation Area, Palo – CVARC volunteers were at the headquarters tent, and out on the water at the starting line, where we radioed in the sound of the starter's horn to the timekeepers for the race.

• Marion Arts Festival 5K, Marion Square Park, Marion – CVARC volunteers were at the park and along the race course. We let race organizers know when the first and last participants reached various points along the course.

• WitchWatch, throughout Linn County on October 31st – CVARC volunteers provide an extra set of eyes on rural roads when so many children are out, and coordinate by radio with the Linn County Sheriff's department.

Last modified: 12 March 2008