Pony Express 2026 re-ride volunteers

[Charles]

We have these volunteers from November 2025:

Net Control: Charles in-field , Garth in fixed location

Drivers/relay teams: we lost Richard - who will stand in? Dan, Peter D., Harry & Larry and Philip.

Here's the plan.

Each vehicle needs a mounted antenna - magnetic or fixed - to meet propagation needs. Mounted radios with 25-50w power are best, yet a 5w HT can make most of the trip using an external antenna; spare batteries will be needed. Repeaters 146.940 and 449.500 are primary frequencies in use; simplex will be 146.40 & 447.00.

This year they're traveling east to west. We're picking up the riders at the county line of Converse/Natrona about 1100 hours but actual time will be better realized as riders hit Glenrock. Horses will dictate time and pace.

First leg of the trip to Martin's Cove goes from the county line to Prospect Hill Interpretive Site on Poison Spider- about 50 miles over regular roads. This will need (2) vehicles with (2) in each; (1) to drive, (1) to operate the radio. This is where (2) driver crews relieve the first group. Second group is traveling about 40 miles and mostly over unpaved uneven dirt roads. My Jeep Patriot handled it fine. Two driver crews will post (1) forward and (1) rear of the horse and their support crews.

The second leg is where I'm joining in-field as net control. I'll be setting up on some high spots with a vehicle mounted dual band having 50w output so as to relay traffic from HT users to the relief net control. We will also have to be in place on 319 in areas I'll share later from the map annotated while driving back country last year and arriving early enough for this. We'll know better when to meet as things progress, but I'm thinking 1400 hours. The plan is (2) driver crews (forward and rear of the horse and support crews) and (4) individual drivers using HT posted as far as simplex will separate us while staying on the roadside so as not to trespass along route 319 Oregon & Emigrant Trail road to highway 220 going towards Independence Rock then to Martin's Cove. I'm uncertain if at Independence Rock they go over road or veer to the West Oregon trail.

Both teams need to make provisions to food, drink and personal relief as rest stops aren't available.

In-field we have (6) volunteers (including me) plus Garth in his QTH as net control.

Here's what we need: another fixed location NC with 2m and 70cm base station to relieve Garth when the Poison Spider swap takes place. Need (4) driver crews to split the trip and (4) individuals for simplex relays on route 319, besides me; this is a phone and radio to repeater dead zone up to highway 220. 

Here's the schedule from https://nationalponyexpress.org/the-states/wyoming/#2026-wyoming-reride-schedule

Friday, June 19

Glenrock @ Hwy 20 & Town Park Road   -  10:30 AM

Sinclair Casper Refinery   -  12:30 PM

National Historic Trails Center, Casper  - 1:10 PM

Fort Caspar  - 1:45 PM

Martin’s Cove Road & West Oregon Trail  -  9:00 PM

Sunset will be around 2040 hours.

As you see, this is a Friday and a 9-ish hour day. This why we need many helping hands to split the load.

Questions? Corrections?

Who will volunteer to be involved in an historical event?

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Regards,
Charles
And, just like that, the bands went away.

[Daniel Ging Wisotzkey]

Charles, I can help and can be a driver. I have a mobile radio in my truck with a good antenna.

Dan, WY7DG 

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[Charles]

Thank you, sir!

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