LOTOJA - Public Service Event or Emergency Exercise?

LOTOJA is the longest single day bike race in North America, covering around 200 miles from Logan Utah to Jackson Wyoming.

It is also the most exciting public service event Hams can participate in. The starting line and finish points are known. Everything else depends on the weather, riders, road conditions, and attitudes. It is the closest thing you will find to a real emergency.

BARC has been helping with LOTOJA since 1991. It requires more than 40 radio positions. Most of these positions require 2 people, so a great event to bring along a spouse on. It is a great way to get to know how you and others react under stress. Practice being resourceful, flexible and staying positive and you'll build some great memories and relationships.

Mobile positions and stationary positions close to Jackson have the potential of staying overnight thanks to generous donations by sponsors and our race organizer. Positions closer to Logan require a commitment from 6:00 AM to 2 PM or so. Mobile positions require a commitment of from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM.

Equipment needs depend on position. Mobile positions require a handheld or scanner plus a mobile radio.

Our ham band use is mostly on the two meter (2M) band via many FM repeaters who's trustees have kindly allowed us to use them. We also can be found on FM 2M simplex for vehicle to vehicle traffic and some of us may be beaconing our positions via APRS.

We follow the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications rule that communicating is job #1 and attempt to use the most appropriate means avaiable. That includes cell phones, Internet voice and text chat, FRS, white boards and loud speakers in addition to our ham radios.

Learn more about the race.