Brandon 2026 4th July Parade (UPDATE #1)
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jim moorehead
May 13, 2026, 1:29:04 PMMay 13
to BARS List
Big changes to parade!
1. New parade route.
2. No restaurant breakfast. (maybe donuts?)
3. Training at the fair grounds (TBD).
4. Entry location change.
5. May not need Traffic advisors.
6. Reviewing stand TBD.
7. Repeater location TBD.
We still have open positions for Divisions.
We still need volunteer with truck to be part of parade.
2026
📣 📣 📣 "Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye” 📣 📣 📣
The Brandon Amateur Radio Society (BARS) is calling all HAM radio operators in Hillsborough County to volunteer for the 4th of July Brandon Parade. BARS has participated in organizing HAMs to support this parade now for 23 years. Please volunteer!
Why are we doing this
The primary purpose of volunteering for the parade is to report missing floats/units during lineup to the parade announcer so as not to confuse the audience with inaccurate references of those participating. In addition, we provide emergency communications before and during the parade to sheriff’s deputies located at their command center. We also notify parade officials of the Greater Brandon Action Network concerning difficulties during lineup and as the parade progresses.
Where is the parade
Hillsborough County Fair Grounds
215 Syndy Washer Rd.
Dover, Fl
No breakfast (but maybe donuts)
Meet at the big barn for briefing and shirts (if you don’t already have one).
If you are new
For first time participants I will conduct a training session at the fair grounds.
Go ahead and volunteer
Here is a list of volunteer positions and their assigned duties. Note that there are two openings for Division volunteers.
I will update a Schedule of Events and a Communications Plan (see below) if required.
BARS members listed have already volunteered. Open positions are for both previous or new volunteers.
New to parade - partner up with “old head” volunteer.
VOLUNTEERS POSITION
1. Ron Perrett/K4FZU NET CONTROL-Ride with Parade Marshall
2. Janet Watts/KB4PM Entry Station at parade line up location at Sydney Washer Rd.
Kathy Allen/KF4SRC
3. Bill Johnson/N4NOA Reviewing Stand at TBD.
4. Ken Watts/WA4NSV Division 1
Chuck Roberts/AG4CR
5. Jim Stocks/KK4CWO Division 2
Open
6. Brian Gould/KQ4JCU Division 3
Open
7. Rob Jacobson/KJ4TSP Division 4
Open
8. Jose Morales/KJ4OSE Division 5
Kelly Anderson/KE4GS
9. Open Division 6
Open
10. May not need. Karen Jacobi/K4KZF Traffic Advisor #1-Parsons & Vonderberg Dr.
11. (Open) Traffic Advisor #2-Vonderberg Dr. & Spring Flowers
12. (Open) Traffic Advisor #3-Oakfield Dr. & Eichenfeld Dr.
13. (Open) Traffic Advisor #4-Eichenfeld Dr. and Women’s Care Center
15. Dave Welty/N4DLW Sheriff’s Command Post
16. (Open) Brandon Parade Vehicle with BARS banner
Fred Hendershot/N3BUL
17. Tony Stone/W4TAS Mobile Repeater
Rick Farr/KK4CVD
Schedule of Events
Probable time line:
(Proposed)
6:45 AM HAMs meet at Burger King
7:30 AM Police close Lumsden.
8:00 AM Net Control and Div. HAMS in place.
8:00 AM All big floats start arriving.
8:30 AM Divisions and Entry called to check-in.
9:30 AM Traffic HAMs in place and called to check-in.
9:30 AM Police close Parsons, Robertson and King.
9:45 AM HAM’s report missing units.
10:00 AM Parade starts.
11:30 PM Parade should be finished.
Here is what we do
Summary of volunteer positions:
1. Net Control
a. Monitor/help set up BARS mobile repeater: 147.165+ 136.5. Backup will be on 146.580 simplex as backup.
b. Check in all divisions and traffic.
c. Receive absent float/unit position numbers.
d. Relay to reviewing stand any missing float/unit numbers.
e. Relay emergencies to sheriff volunteer.
f. Monitor both repeater and simplex frequencies.
2. Entrance
a. Check in to Net Control when requested.
b. Report missing float/units to Net Control.
c. Help float/units find parking space if available.
3. Division
a. Check in to Net Control when requested.
b. Keep track of all arriving Division units using parade roster.
b. Report missing float/units to net control.
c. Help float/units find parking space if available.
4. Traffic
a. Check in to Net Control when requested.
b. Advise to net control any emergencies or disorder along route.
c. If you see a deputy, relay “b" above.
d. Advise any slowdown or stoppage of the parade.
5. Reviewing Stand
a. Check in to Net Control when requested.
b. Receive absent float/units from Net Control and report to announcer.
6. Sheriff
a. Check in to Net Control when requested.
b. Receive any emergency reports and contact sheriff deputies.
c. Relay to Net Control any sheriff activity that may affect volunteers.
7. Mobile Repeater
a. Set up repeater.
b. Check in to Net Control when requested.
c. Notify Net Control of difficulties/failures.
Communications Plan
Preparation
a. Carry BARS roster to have phone numbers and call signs available.
b. HT radio
1. Check for "HI" power.
2. Set BARS repeater frequency (147.165+ 136.5) and details to MEMORY
3. Set simplex frequency 146.580 to VFO or MEMORY.
4. Set "Lock” feature .once comms established.
5. Have backup HT if possible.
6. Have backup battery if possible.
7. Do not use VOX.
8. Do not use cheap headset/PTT buttons as they tend to fail with “open/stuck" mics.
9. Prefer use of longer whip antenna rather that "rubber duck" if possible.
10. Have HT instruction book available.
c. Test HT by transmitting with antenna above head using repeater and simplex with another BARS member.
Operations
1. Prior to 8:30, monitor both simplex 146.580 and BARS repeater.
2. At 8:30 make sure you are on the repeater frequency. Net Control will check-in all units to ensure comms are good.
3. At 9:45 Net Control will request missing float/units from all Divisions.
4. At 10:00 parade starts. Divisions should continue to monitor missing float/units in case of late arrival and relay to Net Control if unit has arrived and in place.
Backup
1. If the repeater is not available, we will use simplex 146.580.
2. During initial repeater check-in if you cannot contact Net Control
a. Check for correct frequency. Make sure correct frequency is "locked" in.
b. Use backup HT (if available).
c. Use backup battery (if available).
d. Contact Net Control via mobile telephone.
2. If primary Net control is not available, a backup Net Control will take over.
Communications Protocol
We will be using tactical call signs when talking to another volunteer. At the end of your conversation, transmit your call sign.
Example:
Division One, Net Control report missing units.
Net Control, Division One unit 14 missing. WA4NSV (end transmission)
Division One Net Control copy. WF4AC (end transmission)
This year’s parade is again a great opportunity for HAMs to be a part of the community. Please contact me via email, text message or just call me on my cell.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Rob Jacobson
May 13, 2026, 2:27:29 PMMay 13
to ba...@danmc.org
Howdy Jim, Google Maps and the current included map show Tactical Titan
Run as a dead end. If there has been a lane cleared to the barn, it
looks tree covered, and therefore problematic for the taller floats and
trucks. Has someone checked this, especially passage maximum heights?
Rob Jacobson, KJ4TSP
KJ4...@gmail.com
rj7.us/tbarg Tampa Bay Amateur Radio Guide
On 5/13/2026 1:28 PM, jim moorehead wrote:
> Big changes to parade!
>
> 1. New parade route.
> 2. No restaurant breakfast. (maybe donuts?)
> 3. Training at the fair grounds (TBD).
> 4. Entry location change.
> 5. May not need Traffic advisors.
> 6. Reviewing stand TBD.
> 7. Repeater location TBD.
>
> We still have open positions for Divisions.
> We still need volunteer with truck to be part of parade.
>
>
> 2026
> 📣 📣 📣 "Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye” 📣 📣 📣
>
> The Brandon Amateur Radio Society (BARS) is calling all HAM radio operators in Hillsborough County to volunteer for the 4th of July Brandon Parade. BARS has participated in organizing HAMs to support this parade now for 23 years. Please volunteer!
>
> Why are we doing this
>
> The primary purpose of volunteering for the parade is to report missing floats/units during lineup to the parade announcer so as not to confuse the audience with inaccurate references of those participating. In addition, we provide emergency communications before and during the parade to sheriff’s deputies located at their command center. We also notify parade officials of the Greater Brandon Action Network concerning difficulties during lineup and as the parade progresses.
>
> Where is the parade
>
> Hillsborough County Fair Grounds
> 215 Syndy Washer Rd.
> Dover, Fl
>
> 
> WF4A...@tampabay.rr.com <mailto:WF4A...@tampabay.rr.com>
Run as a dead end. If there has been a lane cleared to the barn, it
looks tree covered, and therefore problematic for the taller floats and
trucks. Has someone checked this, especially passage maximum heights?
Rob Jacobson, KJ4TSP
KJ4...@gmail.com
rj7.us/tbarg Tampa Bay Amateur Radio Guide
On 5/13/2026 1:28 PM, jim moorehead wrote:
> Big changes to parade!
>
> 1. New parade route.
> 2. No restaurant breakfast. (maybe donuts?)
> 3. Training at the fair grounds (TBD).
> 4. Entry location change.
> 5. May not need Traffic advisors.
> 6. Reviewing stand TBD.
> 7. Repeater location TBD.
>
> We still have open positions for Divisions.
> We still need volunteer with truck to be part of parade.
>
>
> 2026
> 📣 📣 📣 "Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye” 📣 📣 📣
>
> The Brandon Amateur Radio Society (BARS) is calling all HAM radio operators in Hillsborough County to volunteer for the 4th of July Brandon Parade. BARS has participated in organizing HAMs to support this parade now for 23 years. Please volunteer!
>
> Why are we doing this
>
> The primary purpose of volunteering for the parade is to report missing floats/units during lineup to the parade announcer so as not to confuse the audience with inaccurate references of those participating. In addition, we provide emergency communications before and during the parade to sheriff’s deputies located at their command center. We also notify parade officials of the Greater Brandon Action Network concerning difficulties during lineup and as the parade progresses.
>
> Where is the parade
>
> Hillsborough County Fair Grounds
> 215 Syndy Washer Rd.
> Dover, Fl
>
jim moorehead
May 13, 2026, 2:49:25 PMMay 13
to BARS List
OOPS: change to schedule.
Big changes to parade!
1. New parade route.
2. No restaurant breakfast. (maybe donuts?)
3. Training at the fair grounds (TBD).
4. Entry location change.
5. May not need Traffic advisors.
6. Reviewing stand TBD.
7. Repeater location TBD.
8. New schedule TBD.
2026
Probable time line:
TBD
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