Bike MS Suncoast Challenge Information
n4b...@gmail.com
Hi all,
My apologies for the delay in surfacing information about the upcoming tour. We are a few weeks out from the event, and I wanted to get some information in everyone’s hands to help prepare. I have created a roster based on responses for the event, and we still need help! Those of you local to the area, please invite your fellow hams to participate in this great event. We can use a few more SAGs and definitely need rest stop operators. If you know anyone interested in being a mobile unit, please have them reach out to me directly. If they’re interested in working a rest stop, please refer them to Darrell Davis kt4...@gmail.com for support. The only response I had for a rest stop was from Rob.
The frequency plan remains the same as last year. The trustee of NI4CE have extended permission for use of their Verna repeaters for our event. There are both analog and NXDN repeaters that will be linked:
442.950 (+5, 100.0)
444.3125 RAN 1 TG 1231
442.400 RAN 1 TG 1231 at Laurel
This site is also equipped with APRS, and we will once again use APRS for the event. For those without APRS RF ability, there are apps for both Android and iPhone that will allow beaconing. Mobile units, please plan to have APRS available one way or another and we will commence testing of individual units the week of the event.
Finally, the question I have received a lot is about background checks. Now that I have a solidified roster put together, I will reach out and have the Society send links to the mobile units
Here is the route information and rest stops:
Route maps: Bike MS Suncoast Challenge 2026 RWGPS
AREA: | REST STOP 1 | REST STOP 2 | REST STOP 3 | REST STOP 4 | REST STOP 5 |
SITE NAME: | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School | Osprey Junction Trailhead | Shamrock Park and Nature Center | Manasota Key Beach | New Hope Christian Church |
Street Address | 5659 Honore Ave | 939 Bay Street | 3900 Shamrock Dr | 8570 Manasota Key Rd | 2241 Kilpatrick Rd |
City/State/Zip | Sarasota, FL 34233 | Osprey, FL 34229 | Venice, FL 34285 | Englewood, FL 34223 | Nokomis, FL 34275 |
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Mileage | 11.3 and 42.5/63.3/79 | 18.2 | 34.9 and 43.8 and 59.8 | 39.4 and 54.9 | 30.4/51.2/67.1 |
Route | ALL | 54/74/90 | 74/90 | 74/90 | 54/74/90 |
Volunteer Shift Time | 7:00 AM | 7:30 AM | 8:15 AM | 8:45 AM | 8:15 AM |
Open Time | 7:45 AM | 8:15 AM | 9:00 AM | 9:15 AM | 9:00 AM |
First Cyclist Arrival Time | 8:32 AM | 8:52 AM | 9:38 AM | 9:52 AM | 9:27 AM |
Last Cyclist Arrival Time | 2:59 PM | 10:42 AM | 11:41 AM | 12:12 PM | 1:55 PM |
Hard Closing Time | 3:30 PM | 11:00 AM | 12:15 PM | 12:45 PM | 2:30 PM |
Below is the current roster, with the exception of rest stop staffing. Darrell will be working on that.
Position | Location/Role | Name | Callsign |
SAG 1 | SAG Mobile | Dana Rodakis | K4LK |
SAG 3 | SAG Mobile | Gene Giblin | KK4GNU |
SAG 4 | SAG Mobile | Bill Aten | K4JZ |
SAG 5 | SAG Mobile | Greg Madore | K1MGR |
Rover 1 | Route Rover | Spike McKenzie | N3EBF |
Rover 2 | Route Rover | Dick Hillyer | W2RHW |
Motor 1 | Route Moto Rover | Arthur Smith | K4PEI |
Bike 1 | Bike Marshal | John O'Connor | KL4J |
Admin 1 | Staff Shadow | TBD | Brandon Watson | N4BGW |
Admin 2 | Staff Shadow | TBD | Scott Roberts | KK4ECR |
NCS | Net Control Station | Paul Toth | NB9X |
As always, thank you for your participation. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
73,
Brandon G. Watson, N4BGW
RACES Officer,
City of Coral Gables RACES
Club Secretary,
Dade Radio Club of Miami
Net Manager,
Miami-Dade County RACES
http://www.miamidaderaces.org/
Communications Chair,
Bike MS: Breakaway to the Palm Beaches
http://bikefls.nationalmssociety.org/
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Greg Madore
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 8:01 PM
To: bikems-cent...@googlegroups.com <bikems-cent...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: 'MICHAEL MCKENZIE' <sp...@myctl.net>; artsm...@gmail.com <artsm...@gmail.com>; geneg...@bellsouth.net <geneg...@bellsouth.net>
Subject: [bikeMS] Bike MS Suncoast Challenge Information
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n4b...@gmail.com
Previously we used !CT! for Citrus Tour, which is probably still acceptable.
Brandon G. Watson, N4BGW
RACES Officer,
City of Coral Gables RACES
Club Secretary,
Dade Radio Club of Miami
Net Manager,
Miami-Dade County RACES
http://www.miamidaderaces.org/
Communications Chair,
Bike MS: Breakaway to the Palm Beaches
http://bikefls.nationalmssociety.org/
Confidentiality Notice: The information contained within this email is intended solely for the stated recipient of this transmission. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone. If you are not the intended recipient, please be advised that dissemination, distribution or copying of the information contained within this email is strictly prohibited.
Greg Madore
To: bikems-cent...@googlegroups.com <bikems-cent...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: 'MICHAEL MCKENZIE' <sp...@myctl.net>; artsm...@gmail.com <artsm...@gmail.com>; geneg...@bellsouth.net <geneg...@bellsouth.net>
Dana Rodakis
From: bikems-cent...@googlegroups.com <bikems-cent...@googlegroups.com> on behalf ofn4b...@gmail.com <n4b...@gmail.com>
Brandon Watson
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To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bikems-central-florida/6BFFD439-160C-4E40-8395-433358A3564D%40gmail.com.
Greg Madore
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2026 2:38 PM
To: bikems-cent...@googlegroups.com <bikems-cent...@googlegroups.com>
Brandon Watson
Confidentiality Notice: The information contained within this email is intended solely for the stated recipient of this transmission. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone. If you are not the intended recipient, please be advised that dissemination, distribution or copying of the information contained within this email is strictly prohibited.