Eagle Cap Extreme

For the first time in 2009, the Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race utilized amateur radio as its primary means of communication around the race course. Using amateur radio gave a big boost to logistical and strategic planning plus extra major ounces of safety for volunteers, race officials, spectators, and the sled teams. Would you like to volunteer? Please email our Communications Coordinator or visit our Job Descriptions page for more information.

Local engineers designed a network that included several layers of redundancy for reliable communications and emergencies. Overall a cross band repeater on 2 meters and 70 centimeters located between Joseph and Enterprise anchored the network. This crossband repeater allowed local operators to communicate through the Internet and Echolink to a 2 meter repeater in Idaho. The 2 meter repeater in Idaho allowed those checkpoints "behind the mountain" to link up to Race Central at the Joseph Community Center. Checkpoints at Trinity Lake, Fish Lake, and Ollokot plus an alert station at Salt Creek Summit and the start and finish location at Ferguson Ridge could relay traffic around the clock to other checkpoints and Race Central reliably and efficiently. Amateur radio operators at the checkpoints used batteries, solar panels, and generators to power their rigs. Halfway, the turnaround checkpoint for the 200 mile race operated with a satellite phone and landline.

The 2009 race had amateur radio volunteers from, literally, around the nation. If you would like to volunteer for the 2010 race please Please visit ouremail our Communications Coordinator or visit Job Descriptions page for more information.