HOTARC members put their skills to work supporting community events across Central Texas, providing radio communications for bike rides, races, and public gatherings. These events are outstanding real-world training for emergency communications — coordinating information from many remote locations back to a single Net Control, often with surprises along the way.
Waco Wild West Bike Ride
Each year HOTARC provides radio communications in support of the Waco Wild West (WWW) Bike Ride, an annual event sponsored by the Waco Bicycle Club that draws several hundred participants and volunteers. The half-day ride offers courses of varied lengths — 10, 27, 55, and 77 miles — supported by rest stops, SAG vehicles, and amateur radio operators.
An operator at each rest stop relays timely progress information as well as reports of break-downs, injuries, and supply needs. HOTARC members’ APRS trackers provide live GPS position data, letting Net Control follow the movements of key vehicles — such as the Sheriff’s pace car and SAG vehicles — in real time. While the event is well planned, there are always surprises, making it excellent practice for a real disaster requiring coordinated communications from multiple remote sites.
Other Events We Support
Over the years HOTARC has provided communications for a wide range of community events in addition to the Waco Wild West ride, including:
- Baylor Student Foundation Bearathon — the annual Baylor half-marathon and race
- Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
- TriWaco Triathlon
- Tonkawa Ultra Cup bike race
- Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) free dental clinic
- McGregor Founder’s Day, the Waco Symphony 6000, and Boy Scout events
Many of these dates and details are preserved in our special-events history, giving a good picture of the club’s long record of community service.
More From HOTARC
- Field Day Archive — our annual ARRL Field Day, held the fourth full weekend in June, with photos and reports from years past.
- Boy Scout Radio Merit Badge — materials the club has used to help Scouts earn their Radio merit badge.
Interested in helping at an upcoming event? We’re always glad to have more operators. Contact us or check in on the club net to get involved.