Special Event Stations
From time to time individual amateurs, groups of enthusiasts or clubs establish and operate special radio stations at various events around the country. These special stations tend to fall into one of two categories, i.e Demonstration stations and Talk-in stations.
Demonstration stations act as a showcase for amateur radio so they have to be organised from a public relations point of view whilst the talk-in station exists to guide amateur operators to an event they wish to attend.
Special event stations need to be well organised. It is essential to appoint a station manager who will assume overall responsibility for the operation. He will ensure people are appointed to take responsibility for various aspects of the operation such as equipment, accommodation, transport, logging, food and drink, qsl arrangements etc and at the same time he will seek to identify suitable operators for the event.
Licencing arrangements need to be clearly identified. If the station has only one or two operators, they may decide to use their own callsigns /A or /P but if the station is a large one with many operators it is better to obtain a special event callsign which in the United Kingdom would be in the GB or MB series. The serial letters may be chosen to suit the event, e.g. GB2CIN for Children In Need.
The Demonstration station exists to present amateur radio in an attractive and informative manner to the general public. It has to be remembered that one is dealing with varying degrees of interest. Some visitors to the station will be interested in becoming amateurs but the vast majority will just be showing a general interest. It is important to cater for this group since it is advantageous that the general public recognise and realise amateurs are serious and responsible members of the community.
Because the majority of the public will not be technically minded a good salesman with a friendly and welcoming attitude should be present to greet visitors to the station and explain in plain English what the hobby is about.
Talk-in stations exist to guide mobile operators to a location through terrain with which they are not familiar. Information is given in the form of advice rather than instruction and ultimately, it is the car driver who remains responsible for safe arrival at his or her destination.
Good operating procedures are essential for the talk-in station. There are two phases of operation, the approach phase and the final. The journey from a distant place to the reporting point (ie. an unmistakeable feature about 2 miles from the final destination) is seen as the approach phase and very little guidance is needed for this part of the talk-in. There are usually only one or two reporting points and once a reporting point is reached the final phase of talk-in begins. It is in this phase that detailed information is given and it is for the mobile operator to seek clarification as necessary of instruction/advice received.
Talk-In usually takes place on 145.550MHz and all amateurs are asked avoid this frequency when talk-in is in operation. QSO's should be avoided and priority given to the talk-in operation.
Posted 13 June, 2010 21:38:39 GMT