JMTR 2024 Radio Operator Registration

Even if you have emailed in your intention to participate, you need to fill out this survey as it allows us to properly assign operators to aid stations.

Thanks!

-- John Zoltai KF5REI

    john@zoltai.com

Callsign:

Name:

Cell Phone:

Email:

T-Shirt Size:

Emergency Contact Name:

Emergency Contact Phone:

The remainder of this form allows you to indicate the aid station(s) you prefer to work. Refer to the JMTR Courses Map for more information.

NOTE: You may not get what you pick, but we'll definitely take your preferences into account if at all possible.

Any station will do

Prefer Cabra

Cabra is a 2-mile hike up the Cabra Trail over moderate terrain with a few steeper elements as you climb out at the top of the canyon that the trail follows. There's a gnarly 4wd drive road out to it but like Pipeline, it's full on 4WD. 

Prefer Camp May Road

Camp May Road is easy to get to, park, and set up operations, but you'll probably not be operating out of your mobile rig, although you could if you like walking back and forth a lot. Any decent hand-held will work here.

Prefer Guaje Ridge

Guaje Ridge is a longer hike due to large number of switchbacks that essentially run right up the side of the ridge. This station has the steepest climb of them all, but not the longest. 

 

The hike up to Guaje needs to be started very early in the morning. A few burly individuals have hiked up the night before and camped near the aid station. Consider the extra weight of camping gear and food if pondering this option.

Prefer Ice Rink

Ice Rink is at the bottom of another canyon and can barely see the repeater, and then from only a few ideal locations. We're going to be trying a cross-band repeater at the top of the switchbacks on the trail out of there so you're not stuck far away from the actual aid station trying to get a signal.

We'll know more about how well this approach will work as we get closer to the event. In the event a cross-band won't work, plan on bringing a roll-up J-pole or similar.

Prefer Mitchell Trailhead

Most people park at Mitchell Trail trailhead at Arizona St and 45th and walk less than 100 yards to the aid station. No vehicles allowed there.

Prefer Pipeline Road

The "on foot" way to Pipeline Road is to hike in from the Ski Basin parking lot following the Nordic Ski Trail, then follow the Canyon Trail over the top of Canada Bonita to its intersection with Pipeline Road. This is about a 1-1.5 hour hike.

Pipeline Road is also accessible via 4WD from the west edge of Los Alamos, but you'll need a permit to access the Guaje Canyon Trail. The permit to drive to Pipeline is from the JMTR and will be straightforward to get to any operator who wants to drive out there. The rough road is about six miles long and can take two or more hours to drive.

This is NOT a journey suited to your average SUV. You need a true high clearance, big tire 4WD with a slow, low range transmission to make the climbs with confidence. I've seen it done in 4WD pickups, but only by really experienced off roaders. Plan on getting a lot of brush scratches because the vegetation encroaches the trail a lot. It's one of those rides where you're hanging on tight all the way and can say "Yay! I did it!" at the end.

 
Either route consumes enough of the day that station personnel usually come up the day before, camp overnight, and descend when the station closes or the following morning.

Aid station crew might be able to accommodate ferrying an operator out there, but you would likely not get a ride back until Sunday morning. We would prefer that nobody drive this road at night while fatigued after a long day working the aid station. Losing control on this trail would make the news.

There are people who specialize in this aid station, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Prefer Ski Lodge

Ski Lodge operations are typically on the deck and in the lodge itself. It's a popular station for family and crews to meet runners, as it has bathroom facilities and water on site. Park in the parking lot and hike up the stairs.

Since this station is at the bottom of a canyon and nearly directly below the repeater, we've found a roll-up j-pole on a mast or a similar large antenna gives you the signal strength to get slightly over the edge of the ridge to the Pajarito Mountain repeater. It also gives you the ability to reach the backup repeater down-canyon and across the valley at the St. Vincent's Hospital repeater in Santa Fe.

Prefer Start/Finish

This is the communications trailer located at the parking area just west of the Posse Shack where race headquarters is located.