Public Service

We normally assemble our list of events to serve, early in the year [Feb./Mar.].

Here is the Google Doc that is the latest and greatest word:  2024 Public Service Events and Duty Rosters

Updated: Feb. 22, 2024
We assist local community-based non-profit organizations by providing volunteer radio communications for their events.
We welcome any interested, qualified licensed amateur to volunteer to assist us.  Let us know your available hours, and any preference of assignment when signing up for an event, and we will accommodate your schedule, if we can.
If you would like to request our club’s assistance for your event, please check our schedule below for conflicts, please read the Public Service FAQ, and download and submit the form found there. You may also wish to consult the Calendar of Public Events in the San Francisco Bay Area for dates for which volunteer Amateur Radio Service communication support has been requested.
Some worthy events are not served, either due to conflicting dates with other established commitments, or other amateur radio events,  a lack of available volunteer operators, because our small club does not have enough time to recruit volunteers, because our schedule is already full, because an event or the sponsoring organization does not fall within our established guidelines or FCC Rules for radio support; or because the event falls outside our repeaters’ reliable coverage area.  Our Board of Directors reserves the right to decline any request for communications support for any reason.
2017 ARRL Reports Page: ARRL Reports Page 2018: ARRL Reports Page 2019:
2021 Public Service Signup List v17

2019 Public Service Signup List v13

To Sign-up Contact: Michael Fischer, K6MLF
In 2015 – We added Location / Station information sub-pages to each MARS event page Please send after-MARS-event comments and photos of your location to: DEBRIEF We will be training new Net Control Operators in 2018. If you are interested, please contact: Michael Fischer, K6MLF, to be scheduled.
NOTE: TICK BLOOM – We were informed of a ‘tick bloom’ on Mt. Tam, in May, 2018. If your assignment takes anywhere where you might be at risk, TAKE PRECAUTIONS! Ticks in this area carry Lyme Disease.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITEE 2018: Michael Fischer, K6MLF Rob Rowlands, NZ6J  
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITEE 2019: Michael Fischer, K6MLF Rob Rowlands, NZ6J Larry Bradley, KK6QPE

Frequently Asked Questions by Volunteers, Communications Protocols, & Tip Sheet

2021/2022 MARS EVENTS SCHEDULE  

We will update the 2022 dates, as soon as we get them.
EVENT DATE HOURS MARS Coordinator – Contact Activity Description
PUBLIC SERVICE ORIENTATION (volunteer meeting) Saturday,  July 17, 2021 ~11:00AM – 3:00 PM Michael Fischer, K6MLF fischer@igc.org Orientation Meeting- Thank-You lunch and recognition to 2020 volunteers. Orientation meeting for 2021 public service radio volunteers. Public Service Lunch Sign-Ups   SHORT LENGTH EVENT
NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING (volunteer meeting) Saturday,  July 17, 2021 ~11:00AM – 3:00 PM Michael Fischer, K6MLF fischer@igc.org Training for new public service volunteers. Tactical net operations, directed net operations, using tactical designators, what to expect. SHORT LENGTH EVENT
Ridge to Bridge  {hike, footrace, et al} Saturday, April 30, 2022 No radio support needed Rob Rowlands, NZ6J rob@kangchenjunga.org The Ridge to Bridge (hike, run, mountainbike, horseback) event is sponsored by the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and follows the Ridge Trail (of course) from Samuel P. Taylor State Park in central Marin south to the Golden Gate Bridge. The participants gather in the Presidio (the location of net control) and are transported by bus to the various stages of different lengths (the longest starts at Sam Taylor, the shortest from Muir Woods.) There will be 300-500 participants. Be prepared for route changes.  LONG LENGHT EVENT
Miwok 100K {footrace} Saturday, May 7, 2022 No radio support needed Rob Rowlands, NZ6J rob@kangchenjunga.org The Miwok 100k is a highly competitive footrace around the Mount Tamalpais-Marin Headlands hills of Southern Marin. Net control will be at the Stinson Beach Community Center, start-finish. There will be seven rest stops with radio operators—a dozen or more volunteer communicators will be needed. Be prepared for route changes.  LONG LENGTH EVENT
The Dipsea Race {footrace} Sunday, June 12, 2022 ~7 AM – 1 PM Rob Rowlands, NZ6J rob@kangchenjunga.org Communications support for The Dipsea Race, an annual 7.4 mile trail run from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach, over Mt. Tamalpais. 1,500 runners participate, with staggered starts according to age and gender. First run in 1905, The Dipsea is the oldest trail run in America. MARS has supported this event for decades, it’s a tradition!   SHORT LENGTH EVENT
Double Dipsea {footrace} Saturday, August 28, 2021                ~6 AM – 2 PM  Various shifts available Rob Rowlands, NZ6J rob@kangchenjunga.org Communications support for The Double Dipsea, an annual trail run event that starts and finishes at Stinson Beach. The race started in 1969. Around 800 participants run from Stinson Beach over Mt. Tamalpais to Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, and back over the same course to Stinson Beach, about 14 miles of steep terrain. This event has a staggered start according to age and gender.  MEDIUM LENGTH EVENT
Tour de MALT [bike event] (NEW EVENT 2016) Saturday, July 20, 2019 ~6 AM – 5PM Various shifts available Michael Fischer, K6MLF  fischer@igc.org ;or Larry Bradley, KK6QPE kk6qpe.gmail.com Communications support for the Tour de MALT bike ride, which benefits the Marin Agricultural Land Trust [MALT]. The event projects 300 cyclists, and has a 53 mile route. MEDIUM LENGTH EVENT
Marin Century [bike ride]  
2018_CENTURY_logo_web_1723139992
Saturday, August 6, 2022 ~4AM – 10:30 PM Various shifts available Rob Rowlands, NZ6J rob@kangchenjunga.org Communications support and / or sag support for the Marin Double Century bicycle event. The ride courses cover roads in Marin and southern Sonoma Counties. About 3,000 cyclists participate. There are 36 mile, 63 mile, 97 mile, 104 mile, 134 mile and 200 mile routes.  The start and finish is in Terra Linda (currently at the Marin Civic Center), and the routes run as far south as Muir Woods, and as far north as Occidental.  OUR LONGEST LENGTH EVENT
Marin County Bicycle Coalition’s Dirt Fondo    [mtn. bike ride] Saturday, July 23, 2022 ~5:30 AM – 4:30 PM  Various shifts available Rob Rowlands, NZ6J rob@kangchenjunga.org Communications support for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition’s Dirt Fondo bicycle event. The ride courses cover trails in Marin County. Riders can choose from 10 mile, 20 mile, 32 mile, or 45 mile courses.  The organizers expect about 300 riders. The start and finish is in the Marin Headlands, and routes run as far north as East Peak. MEDIUM LENGTH EVENT
Zero Breast Cancer’s Dipsea Hike {hike} Saturday, September 25, 2021 ~7:00 AM – 2:00 PM  Various shifts available Rob Rowlands, NZ6J rob@kangchenjunga.org Communications support for Dipsea Hike For Zero Breast Cancer , a six mile fundraising trail hike on trails on Mt. Tamalpais. The event begins and ends at Old Mill Park in Mill Valley.  SHORT LENGTH EVENT
Jensie Gran Fondo of Marin  [bike ride] Cancelled by the Organizers 2021 Watch for Spring 2022 ~5AM – 6PM Various shifts available Rob Rowlands, NZ6J rob@kangchenjunga.org Communications support for the Jensie Gran Fondo of Marin bike ride.  MEDIUM LENGTH EVENT
Dolphin Club’s Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon {triathlon} Sunday, September 26, 2021 ~10 AM – 6 PM  Various shifts available Michael Fischer, K6MLF fischer@igc.org Communications support for the run portion of Dolphin Club triathlon event.   There are 40 – 60 participants, including relay teams. The event starts with a swim from Alcatraz to Aquatic Park in San Francisco. Participants then transition to bicycles to ride to Mill Valley.  The run portion is from Mill Valley over the Dipsea Trail to Stinson Beach and back to the finish in Mill Valley.   MEDIUM LENGTH EVENT
Breast Cancer Prevention Partners Peak Hike {hike} Saturday, October 16, 2021 ~7AM – 3:30 PM  Various shifts available Rob Rowlands, NZ6J rob@kangchenjunga.org Communications support for BCPP Peak Hike, which covers trails on Mt. Tamalpais. There are 7 or 11 mile routes for this fundraising hike.  MEDIUM LENGTH EVENT
2021 THANK YOU LUNCH – DEBRIEF (volunteer meeting) Saturday,  July 17, 2021 ~11:00 AM – 3:00 PM THANKS EVERYONE! Michael Fischer, K6MLF fischer@igc.org Orientation Meeting- Thank-You lunch and recognition to 2018 volunteers. Orientation meeting for public service radio volunteers.  SHORT LENGTH EVENT
To Sign Up for MARS Events Contact: K6MLF, NZ6J, Larry Bradley, KK6QPE, or
ARRL REPORTS 2018: 2017 ARRL Reports:
Grey Out Dates – 2018 We normally try to avoid scheduling public service events on the dates listed below,  to avoid conflicting scheduled Amateur Radio Events.
June 1st& 2nd , 2019 Museum Ship Weekend (Operating Event)
June 26 – 27, 2021 ARRL Field Day (Operating Event)
October 5th & 6th, 2019 California QSO Party (Operating Event)
October 14 – 16, 2022 ARRL Pacific Division Convention (Pacificon 2021)
October 20 – 21, 2018 BSA Jamboree-on-the-Air 2018

NON-MARS EVENTS

We will update with 2021 dates as we get them.

We list other Public Service events in this section that are NOT Marin ARS sponsored events, but may be sponsored by adjacent radio clubs or groups, and may be of interest to hams who wish to volunteer. Please check out these events, and their sponsoring organizations, and if they are of interest, we encourage you to volunteer. This is not a definitive list. Only those your Editor knows of or has been asked to list. (Editor)
(Oalkand) Oakland Running Festival  (ORCA) {footrace} (COMPETED) March 20, 2022 Contact: Mike Pompa, KB6PM
(Santa Rosa) The Human Race (SCRA) {footrace} (COMPETED) Cancelled for 2021 Contact: Contact SCRA TBD
(Big Sur) Big Sur Marathon (Big Sur) {footrace} (COMPETED) April 22 – 24, 2022 Contact: TBD Jeff KG6UYZ
Tour of Novato  (NOVATO) [bike ride, et al] The event may use our repeaters. (COMPETED) April 1 – May 1, 2021 Contact: TBD  Mark Klein, KM6AOW
(Santa Rosa) Wine Country Century (Sonoma County) [bike ride](COMPETED) September 25, 2021 Contact SCRA
The Golden Gate Relay (Calistoga – Santa Cruz) {team relay footrace} The event may use our repeaters. (COMPETED) May 1 -2, 2021 (virtual only) Contact: Gary Sello KG6JHS
(East Bay) Grizzly Peak Century [bike ride] EBARC will not be supporting this event in 2018. ( COMPETED) May 1, 2022 Contact: TBD
(Santa Rosa) Santa Rosa Ironman Triathlon [triathlon] (COMPETED) Cancelled Contact SCRA: TBD
(Davis) Davis Double Century (Yolo ARS) [bike ride] (COMPETED) May 8 – May 22, virtual only Contact: Dave, KC6YFG
(Sonoma County)  Backroad Challenge http://backroadchallenge.com/  (Western Sonoma County)[bike ride]  (COMPETED) Cancelled Contact: TBD Harold, KD6WYF
(East Bay) FAGES II Boy Scout Hike (East Bay ARC) {hike}  (COMPETED) TBD Contact:  Ken, KO6NO
(Sonoma County)Monte Rio “Vineman” Triathlon (Sonoma County) [triathlon] (COMPETED) Cancelled for 2021 Contact SCRA: TBD
(Sonoma County) Terrible Two (SCRA) [bike ride] (COMPETED) June 19, 2021 Contact SCRA: TBD
(Lake Tahoe – Auburn) Western State Endurance Run 2018 – Volunteer Radio – Communication Form {foot race} (COMPETED) June 26 – 27, 2021 Contact: Joe, K6SAT
Arthritis Bike Classic Marin [bike event]  MARS IS NOT SUPPORTING THIS EVENT IN 2018!  The event may use our repeaters.  (COMPETED)  September 18 – 25, 2021 Contact: TBD
(San Francisco )San Francisco Marathon (SFRC) {footrace} September 18 – 19, 2021 Contact: TBD Nick Powell, NF1P
Tour d’Organics (Sonoma County) [bike ride] (COMPETED)   Contact SCRA: TBD
(SF-Santa Rosa) MS Waves to Wine (SCRA) [bike ride] SCRA may be using our simulcast system for the event. September 18 – 19, 2021 Contact SCRA: TBD
(Western Sonoma County) Levi’s Grand Fondo (SCRA) [bike ride] Postponed until 2022 Contact: Contact SCRA: TBD
(Alameda County)  Bay Ridge Endurance Runs (Alameda County Sheriff’s Communications Team) {footrace} October 7, 2021 Contact: Neil Fullagar, K6NCX or John Rabold, KS6M TBD
(Yolo County) Foxy’s Fall Century (YARS) [bike ride] October 16, 2021 Contact: Dave, KC6YFG
(Marin County) Mt. Tam Day of Thanks  (Volunteer Opportunity)   Contact: TBD Rob Rowlands, NZ6J 415 894 9036
(Marin County) Quad Dipsea  {footrace} November 27, 2021 Contact: TBD

Volunteer T-Shirts

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