Pikes Peak ARES

Colorado Springs Balloon Classic

Final Operations Plan

Version: 8/27/02

Dates/Times: August 31, September 1 & 2

  • Morning Launches, weather permitting (Saturday, Sunday, Monday)
  • Balloon Field Operators: 0545 – @0930
  • Downrange Operators: 0545 -- @1100
  • Evening Glows (Saturday & Sunday only)
  • Balloon Field Operators: 1645 -- @2100

Served Agencies/POCs:

  • El Paso County Search and Rescue (EPCSAR)
  • Skee Hipzsky, NØPRY
  • Colorado Springs Balloon Classic
  • Patsy Buchwald

Location:

  • Launches & Glows: Memorial Park, Colorado Springs
  • Downrange: Areas of south-central and south-east El Paso County

Mission Coordinators:

  • Wes Wilson, KØHBZ

Phone: (719) 687-8758

E-Mail:

  • Tony Dal Lago, KC4VMB

E-Mail:

  1. Incident Objectives:
  2. Provide safety and event coordination between EPCSAR and locations on the balloon field.
  3. Provide downrange weather observations and safety/emergency communications.
  4. Pre-Planning Meetings/Events
  5. Discuss planning with EPCSAR
  6. Meet/discuss planning with Colorado Springs Balloon Classic Director
  7. Participating Amateur Radio Organization(s)
  8. Pikes Peak Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARESCO District 14)
  9. Estimation of Resources
  10. Launches – 18 operators each event (15 Balloon Field, 3 Downrange)
  11. 54 operators total
  12. Glows – 15 operators each event
  13. 30 operators total
  14. Total operator hours -- @450
  15. Operator Assignments: All operators report to Search & Rescue Com1 in the Emergency Services area (by the tennis courts) at 0545. Operators will be given their assignments and final instructions – please be on time!
  16. Supporting Elements to Accomplish Objective
  17. NCS from EPCSAR Com1 Unit
  18. Alternate NCS site: Portable Emergency Communications Unit (PECU)
  19. Portable Repeater, “The Roach”
  20. Required Operator Equipment/Supplies
  21. All Operators (both Field & Downrange)
  22. Water, snacks, necessary medications
  23. Clothing, layered – temperature range: chilly to hot
  24. Dress is casual. Keep in mind that we are representing Pikes Peak ARES and amateur radio before the public, dress appropriately.
  25. Notebook/clipboard with pens or pencils
  26. Orange safety vest (if you have one)
  27. Sunscreen (recommended)
  28. Balloon Field Operators
  29. VHF Handheld Transceiver (HT)
  30. Spare battery(ies) – 8 hour minimum capacity
  31. Earphone or Headset – required, absolutely no VOX
  32. Leather gloves (operators may be asked to help balloon crews)
  33. Downrange Operators
  34. VHF Mobile Radio
  35. VHF HT with earphone (recommended, not required; absolutely no VOX)
  36. Kestrel Handheld Weather Instrument or equivalent (prefer Skywarn trained operators)
  37. GPS Unit
  38. Binoculars
  39. Compass
  40. Wind direction indicator (this can be a light nylon streamer or flag attached to the vehicle’s AM/FM antenna) Direction can be determined using compass.
  41. El Paso County Map (Required: MacVan "The Map") or
  42. The MacVan Colorado Springs Regional Street Guide might have the best street and access information for this event (available in a binder form which is ideal for ease of use while changing locations frequently).
  43. Magnetic green & white “Emergency Communication” signs if you have them. If not, borrow a pair from NCS before you depart – return signs after event.
  44. Frequencies -- make sure you have all frequencies pre-programmed in your radio(s)
  45. Talk-In: 146.865- (100 Hz required)
  46. Balloon Field:
  47. Primary Repeater: 146.865- (100 Hz required)
  48. Secondary Repeater: 146.835- (100 Hz required)
  49. Backup Frequency: 146.475 simplex
  50. Downrange Operators:
  51. Primary Repeater: 146.865- (100 Hz Tone)
  52. Secondary Repeater: 146.835- (100 Hz required)
  53. Backup Repeater: 147.030+ (107.2 Hz Tone)
  54. Repeater frequency note: The 146.865- and 146.835- are the same repeater (it has two operational frequencies, but can only operate on one frequency at a time). Should we have a problem with the primary repeater frequency, NCS will advise all stations to go to the secondary repeater frequency and then change the repeater frequency. Should the repeater fail, we will go to our backup frequencies.
  55. Additional Information
  56. Field Operators
  57. Check in with Net Control on the primary repeater when you are enroute to the event (or as soon as you are in range).
  58. Parking passes – plan on arriving at the park between 0530 – 0545 (for morning launches) and 1630 – 1645 (for evening glows) and pick up a parking pass from an operator at the corner of Pikes Peak Avenue and Farragut Avenue (this is the first Memorial Park entrance west of Union on Pikes Peak Avenue). It is best to approach this entrance coming from the west on Pikes Peak Avenue if at all possible. Contact the radio operator handing out parking passes on the primary repeater as you approach the Memorial Park entrance. Give the operator your vehicle description (make, model & color) so they can watch for you.
  59. Saturday & Sunday Morning Launches: Tony, KC4VMB
  60. Saturday & Sunday Evening Glows: Tony, KC4VMB
  61. Monday Morning Launch: Derrick, KCØJMX
  62. Parking – volunteer parking will be the first lot on the right after you pass the Sertich Ice Center.
  63. Meet at the Search & Rescue communications van (Com1) no later than 0545 (morning launches) or 1645 (evening glows). Com1 and the PECU will be in the Emergency Services parking area (south of the food tent, by the tennis courts) just south of the volunteer parking area.
  64. Operators need to be on the balloon field by 0600 (morning launches) or 1700 (evening glows).
  65. The Balloon Classic provides PPARES with 15 parking passes that must be reused for each session. MAKE SURE you RETURN YOUR PARKING PASS to Net Control BEFORE YOU LEAVE the park!
  66. The field operator roles include watching for and reporting medical emergencies, lost or missing children/parents, and helping with any logistical details.
  67. The balloon field is laid out in a grid.
  68. Letters designate north/south, with “A” at the north end of the field and increasing to the south.
  69. Numbers indicate east/west with “1” at the west side and increasing as you go east.
  70. Downrange Operators
  71. Downrange Operator Schedule
  72. Check in with Net Control on primary repeater when you are enroute to the event.
  73. Arrive Memorial Park 0530-0545. Pick up special red parking passes. Park in volunteer lot if possible, or concession lot otherwise.
  74. 0545 – Check in with NCS at Com1 or PECU.
  75. 0600 – attend Pilot’s Briefing at announcer’s stand (pay attention!).
  76. @0620 – meet with Dean Leas (BC Safety Officer) and Steven Blutcher, NØRNR (BC Landowner Relations) in front of announcer’s stand for final instructions.
  77. 0630-0640 Downrange 1&2 depart Memorial Park for downrange locations.
  78. “Safety Shadow” (Aaron, KD6FLM) locate and stay with Dean Leas (BC Safety Officer), use HT on balloon field until launch, go mobile with him downrange (make arrangements with him to install radio in his vehicle).
  79. Downrange Operator Responsibilities
  80. The primary role of downrange operators will be to provide weather (primarily wind direction/speed) data back to NCS and to watch for and report any downrange emergencies.
  81. Any dramatic weather changes, particularly wind speed or direction, should be reported to NCS immediately.
  82. Any surface wind readings exceeding 10 mph should be reported immediately.
  83. Measure and report wind direction and speed to NCS every 10 minutes (reports “on the 10’s) – include location. Keep a log of these reports and NCS will keep a permanent log for BC officials.
  84. Report format: “At [TIME] [LOCATION – street reference, or “same as previous” if you haven’t moved] winds [DIRECTION, e.g. “Northwest”] at [AVERAGE] gusting [PEAK GUST].” Average reading should be 1-2 minute minimum – if calm, state “winds are calm (no direction).” Be sure to turn off Kestrel between reports to reset the average and peak gust readings.
  85. Operator Locations: Generally, if prevailing NNW winds, these will typically be south of Security down toward Fountain. Watch the balloons and adjust your observation locations to “go with the flow.” Downrange 1 should observe balloons and landings from the East side and Downrange 2 should observe from the West side. Keep track of your exact map location at all times (by street/cross-street reference).
  86. Watch where you park. If along roadways, make sure you get completely off the roadway and are not a traffic hazard.
  87. Try to find parking location with good visibility where you can park and operate safely.
  88. Make sure you park on public (not private) property or right-of-way.
  89. Keep vehicles out of tall grass, it’s been very dry and we don’t want a vehicle to start a grass fire!
  90. In the event of an emergency:
  91. Notify NCS immediately with location (street/cross-street) and what you know about the situation.
  92. Provide “Safety Shadow” with any information he requires.
  93. Get GPS coordinates when time allows in case they are needed for medical response.
  94. If you should observe any apparent problem between balloon pilot and/or crew and a property owner, remain at your observation location -- DO NOT INTERFERE – observe situation from a distance (stay on public property) and notify NØRNR (Steven Blutcher – Landowner Relations) immediately of situation and location (street/cross-street reference).
  95. Observe as many landings as possible. Landings fall into three categories:
  96. “Stand-Up” – Balloon and gondola land smoothly with gondola upright. Balloon lays gently over.
  97. “Bouncer” – Rough landing, wind pulls balloon and possibly gondola over to downwind side.
  98. “Blow Over” – Very rough windy landing, wind blows balloon and gondola over, gondola dragged along ground by balloon in wind.
  99. If you see “Bouncers” or “Blow-Overs” report these to NCS.
  100. Net Procedures & Protocols
  101. Before and after the event the repeater usage will be informal and non-directed.
  102. Once the event starts, we will be in a directed net, all calls must go through Net Control.
  103. Each station will be assigned a tactical call, e.g., “Lost & Found” or “Alpha One.”
  104. We use the rule “Tactical In -- Callsign Out.” Use your tactical to call into the net, and when your traffic is complete, give your full callsign to indicate that you are clear.
  105. To call Net Control, simply key up [wait ½ second for repeater to prevent clipping] and state your tactical. Net control will acknowledge, for example:
  106. ALPHA 1: “Alpha One”
  107. NCS: “Alpha One Go”
  108. ALPHA 1: “On station, KCØXYZ”
  109. NCS: “Roger Alpha One, KCØNCS”
  110. If you need to go direct with another station, key up and state your tactical, when Net Control acknowledges you, call the other station direct, for example:
  111. ALPHA 1: “Alpha One”
  112. NCS: “Alpha One Go”
  113. ALPHA 1: “Rover 1, Alpha 1”
  114. ROVER 1: “Rover 1”
  115. ALPHA 1: “I found a set of keys, can you take them to Lost & Found?”
  116. ROVER 1: “I’m on my way -- NØROV”
  117. ALPHA 1: “Roger, KCØXYZ”
  118. NCS: “KCØNCS”
  119. Priority and Emergency traffic take immediate precedence.
  120. If there is routine traffic on the frequency and you have urgent priority traffic, insert the word “Break” between transmissions.
  121. If there is routine traffic on the frequency and you have an emergency situation, insert the words “Break Break” between transmissions.
  122. If you hear “Break” or “Break Break” between transmissions, standby immediately and let Net Control handle the emergency or priority traffic.
  123. During an especially busy net, Net Control may elect to identify once every ten minutes (usually when the repeater Ids) rather than at the end of each communication. All other stations should continue to ID at the end of each communication.