I think cell service is spotty in KSF and Highlands for sure; Trilogy has a land line I used to call home with. I know if someone gets into a situation needing aid quickly a radio would be of great use at these 3 events. Northern races have walkie talkies. Southern trailer has no such thing. If we invest in a radio our race aid stations can quickly communicate to the start/finish if a need arises for immediate attention.

On a second note if volunteers wore something like orange vests or pennys like you play on a field scrimmage with it may help racers know who to go to for help faster than folks milling around aid stations waiting on there runner and not confuse people. I know you may ask who would wash these after they are worn. Well, if we figure out if they are actually needed we can get to that.  

Ashley, do you have any idea for possible costs necessary for these items?

North does not own any radios. I do have a personal pair of 2 watt FRS radios that only function about 1000' around the finish line. We rent Motorola 5 watt radios for Highlands and Experience Learning owns several Motorola 5 watt radios.

I had a long conversation with Chris the radio guy we rent from on Tuesday regarding our purchasing something. I'll get back here in an hour with details and suggestions Ashley. 

Agree on vests, not everyone will care to wear one, but they are inexpensive and useful in busy locations and roads.  

Thanks Dan.

Ashely is right. We need Volunteer vests.

I spoke with Chris Runion, radio guy we rent Highlands units from. In 2013 the FCC set aside some frequencies for public use. Chris recommended 5 watt VHF radios in the non-license FCC frequency range. These function in the line-of-site mode so the hills of KSF and most of West Virginia will affect range. A repeater would fix that issue, but an FCC license certification is needed for that. Fresh battery charge and maintenance is important, just like our timing tools. 

All name brands are good, the Motorola line is what Highlands rents from him and what EL uses at the Trilogy has too. Below is a good video I found if you have 9 minutes to watch it. 

It would take some testing to locate best transmission/reception areas. With a three mile range in unobstructed areas we should be able to find hot spots were communication is decent.  There are 4 and 6 package deals available for around $225 per radio.  

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-KxehzVfkc  

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/products/two-way-radios/commercial-business-two-way-radio-systems/on-site-business-radios/rdx-series/rdv5100.html#tabproductinfo

Is this something that could be rented instead of purchased?  That has worked well for us at Highlands and the Trilogy.  $1,000-$1,500 is a lot of money to spend on radios, but it certainly may be a necessary and worthy expense in aiding with emergency preparedness.  I always worry about where such items will live, who will maintain, etc . . .

I am not sure who rents radios this way for the southern races, but I can look into it. I was unaware of current radio situations. Walkie talkies were what I envisioned, but technology has advanced so much radios are more helpful and technical. I can ask around about rental so we do not have concern ourselves about upkeep if that is an option.

Ashley, it may well be difficult to find radios to rent. For Highlands I was able to do it because I new the guy in Philippi who worked for the company that maintained the radio networks for commercial companies. He had some radios, I rented them. 

To have something effective the walkie-talkie, low wattage FRS units are a waste of time. You need the 5 watt radios to have a chance of communicating in these hills.  

I move we purchase a couple dozen orange vests for north and south trailers.

I second Lehmann's motion.