CSM 2021
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CSM 2021 Radio Operator's Home PageThese pages are Archived! SIGN UP not required - save the date! February 5&6 2022 In-person event cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemicIn 2021, in response to the challenges caused by the on-going pandemic, the CSM initially planned to take a different form and be held over one day (Sunday, Feb 7) instead of the traditional full weekend. The vast majority of the course was to be in the Kenauk Private Reserve using existing trails or forest roads unused in winter. The Board of the Canadian Ski Marathon did everything it could to organize a safe event for February 2021 that complies with the directives of public health authorities. On 2020-12-11 the CSM released a letter cancelling the in-person event for 2021. There will be a virtual event held instead. Read the full text of the 2020-12-11-Letter. On 2020-12-15 Justin (otherwise known as Admin-2) sent an email with a few more details about the virtual event. Read the full text of the 2020-12-15-Email. The CSM has posted details explaining how the 2021 virtual event will work here: https://skimarathon.ca/register/fees/ broken link The skier's guide was posted by the CSM on 2021-02-01. It is on the Downloads page. Ham radio operators at CSM 2021The Canadian Ski Marathon for 2021 was going to run on February 7th. Starting in 2018, the CSM began to use commercial digital radios for health, safety, and logistics traffic. However, the CSM still uses the skills and knowledge of ham operators to run a controlled net on the commercial rigs. When equipment or environmental factors make the commercial rigs difficult or impossible to use, 2m ham radio is used as a backup. In 2020, the CSM signed a contract with ExelRadio for commercial digital radios to be used during the event and it is expected that they will also be the supplier for future events. However, given the cancellation of in-person skiing to keep everyone "COVID-safe", there is no requirement for communications of the type used in previous events. However, it will be interesting to see if any comms are needed for the virtual replacement! To comment, please send an email to Harrie Jones, VE3HYS harriej59_at_gmail.com or to Neil Herber, VE3PUE ve3pue@hambone.ca. Trail routing will be determined laterThe so-called "Northern Trail" was used in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The routing for 2021 was going to be almost entirely inside the Kenauk Private Reserve. Routing details will be posted on the Maps page when available. Note that the route may change at any time due to landholder changes, weather, safety concerns, and government directives. Tasks for radio ops -- in future yearsWe usually need radio operators for:
Volunteer thank-you banquet???A volunteer thank-you banquet is usually held at Buffet des Continents, 4 Impasse de la Gare Talon, Gatineau, QC https://goo.gl/maps/Fj7sSuKbkC12 . In addition to free food, the banquet features lots of door prizes (some quite substantial) and presentation of service pins and awards. Perhaps this year it will be a socially distanced virtual banquet.  To see more pics from CSM 2020, including the banquet, go to CSM2020 SlideShow But this may not be ham radio! (you say to yourself...)Ham radios will be used for backup and for some volunteers who will not have commercial rigs available. The important point is that the CSM needs people who are skilled at operating on a controlled net. Those are ham skills. But I am busy that day!Well, maybe next year? (February 2022) Please pass this info on to other operators you know. Perhaps your local club ... ? Thanks! |