Ham Team Information for NAWS 5K Walk/Run

Hi, everyone. As the ham team is starting to come together for the upcoming NAWS 5k, I thought I would send an update regarding our plan for the event. We still have about a month before the event on June 20th, 2026, but I just wanted to touch base with a few details. First of all, thank you so much for volunteering to help out with this 5K. It’s the first charity 5K for this organization, so I know they will appreciate our assistance. This is also a great opportunity for the STARS Amateur Radio Club, for our team, and for the amateur radio in general to make a positive impression on the community. Finally, this is my first time organizing something like this, so I really appreciate your patience and your help.

Time/Place

• Date/Time: June 20, 2026, 8:00 am (Race Start 9:00 am)
• Location: Hickory Creek Preserve – Laporte Access Road
  10501 W La Porte Rd, Mokena, IL 60448
• Official Course Map: Out and Back, Forest Preserve Bike Path (Ham Deployment Map Below)

Operational Mission

The basic ham team role for this event is to monitor the course, observe for participant safety, and communicate as needed to aid in safety and course logistics.

Band Plan

Please have your HT preprogrammed with the following frequencies. The IAP/ICS-201 and ICS-205 documents are included further down this page.

• Primary Net Frequency: 444.55 (+) PL 114.8
  I have secured use of the W9WIL repeater for our event. The coverage is excellent
• Backup Net Frequency: 446.025
  As a backup, should we need it, we will use simplex 446.025.
• Direct Station-to-Station Comms: 146.58
  As a support frequency for course monitors, this frequency can be used for direct communications between operators on the course.
• Net to Shadow/Organizer: 445.975
  As a direct line between Net Control and the operator shadowing the course organizer and medical team. This frequency should be kept clear for these two stations.

Our Team So Far

So far, we have 11 who have volunteered. The current roster is below. I am really hoping we can get at least 15 to volunteer before the event. After walking the course a couple of times, I think this would be a good number for us to have close to full visibility over the entire route. So, please, if you know any hams who might be willing to join us, send them to K9ACM.net or directly to go.k9acm.net/volunteer where they can sign-up. Or direct them to me if you’d like. The sooner the better, of course. Thanks for that.

Radio Positions & Map

Below is a draft map document that has an overview of the course with our radio positions overlaid. These positions will be marked for the day of the event (i.e. Radio 1, Radio 2, etc.), so we can easily deploy to assigned positions. I will run net control from the LaPorte Rd. parking lot, near the start/finish of the race. The second page of the map document has driving directions from the LaPorte Rd. access to the Rt. 30 access. Those of you posted south of the creek (positions 6 – 14) may choose to drive to the Rt. 30 lot to walk onto the course. If anyone has preferences as to where you would like to be posted, please let me know.

Operational Details

Please familiarize yourself with the following operational details. This will help ensure an effective and safe operation for all.

tactical call signs

The plan is to use tactical call signs for the event such as “Position 1”, “Position 2”, and so on. This will help net control know not only who is calling but where you are positioned on the course. After passing your traffic to net control, give your FCC call sign, to keep everything legal.

traffic handling

Please observe the following protocols for this event.

• Directed Net: We will use a directed net for this event. All traffic should go through net control. Please avoid direct communications with other stations unless cleared by net control. To pass traffic to net control say “net control” followed by your tactical call sign. For example, “Net Control, Position 7.” Wait for net control to acknowledge you before passing your traffic. Try to keep it clear and concise.
• Routine/Medical Traffic: If you see any problem on the course, call it into net control. In the event of a sick or injured runner/walker (conscious and responsive) that needs a medic, call net control with your location and the runner’s bib number. Net control will alert the onsite paramedic team.
• Emergency Traffic: If there is an emergency on the course, say “emergency traffic” when you call net control, all other stations will stand by for the duration of the emergency. If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 911 first and then call net control.
• Runner Collapse: In the unlikely event of a runner/walker collapse where the individual is unconscious and unresponsive, call 911 first (or ask a bystander to do so), then call net control with the emergency traffic. Remember to communicate your position. Net control will alert the onsite paramedic team. Then start CPR. If you don’t know CPR, start hands-only CPR, pushing hard and fast on the center of the chest. Other bystanders can assist as needed. Immediate and continuous chest compressions are essential for a positive outcome as EMS makes their way to the site. While such an occurrence is unlikely, being prepared can save lives. (Even though we may not be trained medical professionals, a bystander can and should administer hands-only CPR when needed. This is consistent with the official advice from both the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.)

Things to Bring

This event is on June 20th. It may be warm. Come prepared with what you need. I’ll bring a case of water. Here is a short list of things you should bring.

• Pre-programmed Handheld Transceiver (HT): Have the band plan frequencies preprogrammed into your radio. Remember, our primary net frequency is on 70cm, and our backup is 2m. If you don’t have dual band radio, let me know, and we can arrange one for you to borrow for the event. Also, an extra battery never hurts.
• Yellow Safety Vest: If you have a yellow safety vest, please wear it. I will try to bring some extras for those who do not have one. It’s good to look the part, so that others will be able to easily identify our team.
• Notebook and Pen: A notebook and pen is very helpful when trying to keep track of radio traffic you send and receive.
• Hat, Sunscreen, Water bottle, etc.: Dress and prepare for the weather. This is a rain or shine event. Consider your personal needs and bring the items that will make you most comfortable.
• A Camp Chair (optional): There are a few benches along the course, but if you think you might want to sit down while at your post on the course, bring a foldable camp chair.
• Your Bicycle (optional): Depending on where you are posted on the course, you might end up walking up to a mile and a half. If you have a bike you can bring, this might be an easier and quicker way to get to and from your position.

IAP/ICS Forms

Here you can find the relevant ICS forms for this event: ICS-201 and ICS-205.

Other Event Details

Based on information provided form the race host (NAWS), you can expect the following.

• Chipped/Bibbed Participants: NAWS has engaged a race organizer for this event. It’s chip timed and every participant will be wearing a race bib.
• Medical Support: There will be a small team of volunteer paramedics onsite to assist with any medical needs. They will be posted at the start/finish area and will deploy as needed. It’s unlikely that they will have any motorized transport on the course.
• Aid Station: The plan is for one aid station at the trail spur just north of radio position 7. At a minimum, the aid station will have water. Other snacks and drinks will be available at the start/finish.
• Open Course: While the organizers have gotten appropriate permissions from the Will County Forest Preserve District to hold this event, the bike path will NOT be closed to other traffic. Expect nonparticipants to be on the trail, as well.
• Dogs on the Course: NAWS plans to have some of its volunteers walking a few of the shelter dogs during the event likely trailing the participating 5K runners/walkers.

Useful Resources on Working Public Service Events

If you are new to working public service events (or even if you are not), you might want to watch this: Ham Operations During Public Service Events. Also, this document courtesy of K9MSG might be quite useful: Guide to Volunteering at an Amateur Radio Public Service Event.

Okay, that’s it for now. If you have questions or concerns, please let me know. As I get more information and as the event nears, I will update this page and send out more details. Please keep an eye on your email, and, again, see if you have can help recruit a few more hams to our team. I really appreciate it.

73 de Mike/K9ACM

630.707.9465