Sunday May 4th 2025 the Sumner County ARES along with the support of the Sumner County Amateur Radio Association and the Robertson County Amateur Radio Club provided radio communications for the 2025 Pedal for Paws event. The event supports the local Sumner Spay Neuter Alliance and consists of 4 separate rides. The rides are 14 miles, 30 miles, 45 miles and 62 miles in length. SCARES provided enough Radio Operators for an NCS station with support personnel, 4 Rest Stop locations, 4 SAG units, Race Director Shadow and Event Liaison.
The event was originally scheduled for Saturday May 3rd but was rescheduled for the following day due to weather with less than 24 hours of notice. SCARA rose to the occasion and completed the task at hand. Enough Radio Operators were able to adjust their schedules to provide communication support.
The morning started with a cloudy overcast drizzle as the Radio Operators checked in and received their assignments around 0645 hours at the Gallatin Civic Center. After a quick pre-event briefing the Operators swiftly responded to their assignments by either travelling to the Rest Stop locations or meeting up with their respective race staff counterparts.
The Pedal for Paws Event Net was activated at 0715 hours with check-ins starting at 0745 hours. The race kicked off at about 0800 hours. Immediately communication started. Net Control was operated by Tom, W4UWO, with Jon, W4JDM, as NCS Trailer Support. Net Control was operated out of the SCARA Communications Trailer, which was located off-site at the Sumner County EOC. Good thing Jon was there because there were some technical issues that needed to be addressed after the net had started. SAG Units 1 through 4 followed the riders of their assigned course and continually reported their locations to Net Control. That information was immediately relayed to the Race Director Shadow for notification to the Race Director. This type of information is vital for the event staff to know where the tail riders are and the progress of the event overall.
The Rest Stop Operators relayed information to Net Control as the first riders passed their locations. Again, this info is vital so the Race Director knows the progress by the riders. Rest Stop Radio Operators also contacted Net Control anytime there was a rider that needed to be picked up and brought back to the Start/Finish area for various reasons.
SAG Units also responded to numerous calls for riders that needed support between Rest Stop Locations. All the riders had the phone number of the Event Liaison, Jack, K0BW, and would contact him if assistance was needed somewhere on the course. Jack would then relay that info to Net Control and one of the SAG Units would be dispatched to assist.
As the last riders passed the Rest Stop locations Net Control would be notified and the Rest Stop would secure.
The day was cold and wet. Riders were complaining about their hands and legs getting stiff due to the weather. The morning drizzle turned into severe downpours throughout the morning. Eventually the late morning brought drier conditions but left the cold 50 degree temperatures to linger on. The Radio Operators endured the weather and kept bi-directional communications flowing without pause.
The event was a great success. Not because everything went smoothly, there were some hiccups along the way. From the rescheduling to poor signals, rf interference to the weather conditions we, collectively as a group, were able to work through those issues and persevere. SCARES accomplished its goal, Radio Operators learned some new skills as well as tested and practiced some skills that are not used so often. There were some lessons for all involved, including the SCARES staff. Every event can and should be a learning experience for all involved.
With that I would like to personally thank each and every one of you who came out and supported the event, SCARES and SCARA. Thank you also goes out to SCARA and the Shout South Repeater Group for the use of their communications trailer and repeaters, respectively. I would also like to thank the Pedal for Paws event staff for allowing us to assist them with their communication needs!
In attendance were:
Rest Stop 1 – Steve, W4STX
Rest Stop 2 – Steve, AA8TJ
Rest Stop 3 – Kevin, K4TNR
Rest Stop 4 – Brian, NG2S
SAG 1 – Eugene, KE4APG
SAG 2 – Steve, KD4SAH
SAG 3 – Doug, KO4MKD
SAG 4/5 – Mike, NZ4K
Net Control – Tom, W4UWO
Communication Trailer Support – Jon, W4JDM
Race Director – Mike, K4VVA
Event Liaison – Jack, K0BW
Lastly, I would like to spotlight that this event was not only an ARES event but it was the first of hopefully many forthcoming events where neighboring Radio Clubs along with ARES groups all support each other. This weekend The Sumner County ARES was supported by not only the Sumner County Amateur Radio Association and its membership but also by the Robertson County Amateur Radio Club, the Robertson County ARES, the Nashville Radio Club and the Nashville ARES. Clubs and ARES groups supporting each other not only accomplishes the mission but also achieves interoperability. Disasters do not stop at county lines, why should we!
I learned a lot in this event. I came home and purchased a mag mount that would allow me to put my 100 W radio into another vehicle very quickly as well as deploy outside of my vehicle on UHF/VHF easier. I was really surprised at how much the HTs struggled to get into the repeaters. I do not recall that being that big of an issue in previous years. Perhaps conditions were working against us?
We certainly all learned and will be better on the next event.
Good times and glad it all came off okay!
Great job.
Great job everyone!