2026 Brandon 4th July Parade

[jim moorehead]

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

Starts at the corner of Parsons Ave. and Lumsden Rd. 

(Proposed)

Free breakfast and shirt 

(Proposed Location)

This year we will enjoy a free breakfast at Burger King on 2019 W Lumsden Rd just East of Providence starting at 0630. Get a bright colored shirt just for the parade to distinguish yourself as a volunteer. Keep it for next year’s parade or turn it in.

If you are new

For first time participants I will conduct a training session at the parking lot of The Grove Bible Chapel Tampa located at 415 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon on a date to be determined.

 

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.

VOLUNTEERS POSITION

1. Ron Perrett/K4FZU NET CONTROL-Ride with Parade Marshall

2. Janet Watts/KB4PM Entry Station at Lumsden/near Kings

   Kathy Allen/KF4SRC

3. Bill Johnson/N4NOA Reviewing Stand  at “Music Showcase” (402 Oakfield Dr)

4. Ken Watts/WA4NSV Division 1

Open

5. Jim Stocks/KK4CWO Division 2

Open

6. Brian Gould/KQ4JCU Division 3

Open

7. Rob Jacobson/KJ4TSP Division 4

 Open

8. Open Division 5

Open

9. Open Division 6

Open

10. 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!

Jim Moorehead/WF4AC
WF4A...@tampabay.rr.com
(813) 468-5570 (cell)
(813) 684-2808 (home)