Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless and Minor Release Form

With your agreement to volunteer for the event, we as that you complete the form found here:  (WAIVER)

There are primarily four volunteer positions available.  

They are:  Shadow, Water Stop (Aid Station), SAG and Observer.  

We also have Hams on carts, and Net Control operators and their liaisons.

Although every attempt has been taken to provide you with the information you need to be successful during your time volunteering with the Dallas Marathon, and we do not want to overwhelm or burden you with too much information.  Please review each section that is relevant to the position(s) you will be participating in.  It is the responsibility of the volunteer to seek out any information or get clarity about any questions they may have.  This event offers valuable training to amateurs in a safe and inviting environment, allowing the ability to have fun at the same time. 

Once you have reviewed the positions below that may be of interest, please sign up:    -- SIGN UP HERE  --

After you are done, please check the Sign Up Confirmation page (Allow 24hrs).  If you have found an error, or have changed your mind, please email John Galvin-N5TIM.

Shadow Operators

Description - A shadow is an Amateur Radio Operator who accompanies an official during an event.  A Shadow operator may be on-foot or mobile.   "What is a Shadow?" - N5TIM.info

Expect to be on site from 1-2 hours before the start of the event, to 30 minutes after the event winds down.

ARR - Shadow Operators should be generally be ARR-S, ARR-M (if mobile) capable. If mobile, an ARR-DT unit is beneficial. It is recommended that they also have documentation, flashlight, first-aid, mosquito spray, water and comfort foods. In general, the operating station should have a 2m, 25w or greater radio with a 5/8th's wave antenna and APRS is strongly desired.  Some loaner units are often available, but cannot be guaranteed.

Water Stop (Rest Stop/Aid Station) Operators

Description - A rest stop or aid station communicator is an Amateur Radio Operator who provides on-site staff communications during an event.   "What is a Rest Stop/Aid Station Communicator?" - N5TIM.info

Expect to be on site from 1/2 - 2 hours before the start of the event and able to transmit during the role call one hour prior to the start.  The time you are released is greatly dependent upon your location of your water stop.  WS 1-2, can expect to be released before the noon hour.  3-4, the middle of the afternoon, and the others as late as 4pm.

ARR - WS Operators should be generally be ARR-S, ARR-B, capable.  It is recommended that they also have documentation, flashlight, first-aid, mosquito spray, sunblock, water, and comfort foods. In general, the operating station should have a 2m, 25w or greater radio with a 15-20' mast, antenna and coaxial cable; capable of 12 hours of operation. APRS monitoring (ARR-DA) is recommended as an operator may have the ability to monitor the progress of the event.  

SAG Operators

Description - A SAG Communicator/Operator is a mobile capable Amateur Radio Operator who either accompanies an official, or acts as the SAG driver that performs the role of retrieval of tired/expired or mildly injured riders from the course and provides them transportation to a predetermined destination.

"What is a SAG?" - N5TIM.info

Expect to be on site from 1/2-2 hours prior to the start of the event and may be released from their duties as the number of runners on the course begins to dwindle. The marathon generally is complete by noon or shortly after.

ARR- SAG Operators should be generally be, ARR-S, ARR-M, ARR-DT capable.  It is recommended that they also have documentation, flashlight, gloves, tools, shop towels, mosquito spray, sunblock, water, and comfort foods. In general, the operating station should have a 2m, 25w or greater radio with a 5/8th's wave antenna.  The transceiver should have the ability to be self-powered for 12 hours or have the ability to hook into the vehicles 12v, 20amp power system.  APRS is strongly desired.  Some loaner units (ARR-DT) are often available, but cannot be guaranteed.

Observers

Description - An observer is positioned at key locations along the route.  They may operate from their vehicle if they chose.  Their primary mission is to be a set of eyes to report traffic issues, route issues, or to be a point of contact for a participant, volunteer, or spectator to relay important information should it arise.

Please review the Amateur Radio Resource (ARR) page.

Talk-In

Contact Talk-In on VCALL1 (146.880- pl-110.9), between the hours of 05:00 to 06:45 for directions or information.

Work Shifts

Sunday - Expect to be on site from 06:00 to 12:00. Some may need to stay later.

Downtown Parking - 

Parking is in the underground at Dallas City Hall. access from northbound Akard Street just north of Canton Street. Display parking pass on dash. Do not park in lot behind Dallas City Hall.  - MAP

Operating at Your Next Event

OPERATIONS

Arrival - 

Plan to arrive early. Your location or staging area may be unfamiliar and you will need the extra time. This will also give you time to set-up and checkout your equipment before the event starts. There are also times when your location may have limited access after a certain time. Being early gets you in before the roads are closed. In most cases the event communications coordinator will announce a time for you to be on site.

Check-In - 

Check in with net control when you arrive at your location. This lets the net control know you are on site and the quality of your communications. In some cases moving about improves communications. If this is the case, remember the spot and use it when you need to communicate with net control.

Traffic Control - 

Most, if not all, special events are run as controlled nets. This means that all communications are directed through net control. The net is generally very busy handling traffic. If you need to contact another station, make the request through net control. Net control will hold traffic and give you permission to contact your party. At some events a secondary communication frequency is set up for this very thing. Always give the net control plenty of time to respond, as net control is usually a very busy place.

Keep your traffic to a minimum. Give all the details and be precise at the same time. Think about what you are going to say before you transmit. This will maximize the net to emergency traffic if needed and at the same time maximize your battery life. Always be sure to contact net control before you pass your traffic. You want to make sure net control hears and understands you message.

As we have heard many times before, listen, listen, listen. If an emergency occurs or the net becomes congested or the noise level at you location increases, listening becomes ever so important. You don't want to miss a call from net control.

Tactical Calls - 

A number of special event nets use tactical calls. These allow an easy identification of a location or function. "Lost and Found," "Sag 1," "Aid 2," are typical of tactical calls used at events. Know your tactical call and listen for it. In closing your transmission always use your FCC call sign. (See information on Tactical Calls elsewhere.)

EQUIPMENT

Equipment Use - 

Choose equipment that works well for public service events. Ease of use should be a prime consideration. Will it provide the communications capability to support the event? The event is not the place to try out that new radio or set-up. Try it out before the event to iron out all the bugs and get the operation down pat. Create a "cheat sheet" to help remember key features for your radio.

Batteries - 

Do you have a spare battery? Is it charged? If you have the alkaline battery case, do you have extra batteries for it? If you use gel-cell to power you base set-up will it run for the entire event? Make sure your batteries are charged up at the start of the event. You may never know when the event may become longer that anticipated.

Power Cords - 

Various power cords and adapters can turn a bad situation into a good one. RACES standard connections are preferred on all equipment. Make sure you kit is up to the situation. A cable with "gator' clips on one end is very handy for connecting to the car battery in a pinch. The cigarette lighter adapter is very handy if your position suddenly needs to become mobile.

Antennas - 

That standard rubber duckie is not necessarily the best antenna for the task. Your favorite repeater may not be the one used for the event. In fact, a number of events are run simplex. Invest in one of the extended performance duckies or a telescoping antenna. If your mobile or a fixed station invest in a 5/8 magnetic mount or pole mounted antenna. A good antenna does more than more watts in most cases.

Headsets - 

At a number of events the noise level is very high. The event sponsors like a lot of loud music, bands and other methods of making noise to enhance the participants enjoyment. This though is counter-productive to the communicator. In situations like this the headset is a necessity. Make sure it works with your equipment.

Note Taking - 

Net control is not always the one who needs writing materials to keep track of things. All positions need writing materials. Remember the description of the missing runner? A pencil is preferred over a pen (remember the weather) and a note pad should be a staple in your equipment kit. The 4" by 8" "reporters notebook" is one of the handiest due to its size. Mechanical pencils don't need sharpening and are preferred over wood-lead pencils. At some events, various forms are provided. These range from missing person's reports to log sheets.

Niceties - 

Dress for the weather. Carry wet weather gear or additional outer garments if needed to suit the conditions. Aspirin, antacid tablets, prescription medicine, sunscreen and insect repellent should be part of everyone's personal support kit. Drinks, especially water, and snacks should be included since it may be a long time to lunch. A small, insulated container is handy to carry your snacks and don't forget the lawn chair!