Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 09:40
I don't take large groups for one thing, so convoy of 6 vehicles has been the largest tagalong I have run.
We are the photographers for the
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge, which is a pretty big undertaking, and we are neither leader nor TEC, but we do end up helping out both convoys - front and rear and have to communicate our activities as we move through the cyclists.
I am surprised how frequently HF is a reasonable backup for UHF - I had always thought that it was no good at shortish distances (50-80km), but usually I can find a VKS channel that works so we use both and do radio checks to keep in touch on both regularly. It does require a TEC with HF. Stopping at the top of a
hill, and relaying through the convoy also helps, but requires a little bit of training for how to run a relay. Rarely do I find repeaters much help, but perhaps I am not paying enough attention to where they could be used.
4 or 5 vehicles will usually be less than 5 km apart, and UHF has always worked for me for tagalongs. The importance of keeping in touch is that it only takes one problem and the whole group gets too spread out... it is important for the leader to stop on a high point with reception whilst rear end issues are sorted out or at least assessed and that agreement is reached on where and when to meet up again.
For the Challenge, the front convoy also needs to communicate to the rear convoy and this could be 40+km at it's worst. That said, speeds are low - rear convoy is doing no more than 12.5km/h behind the bikes, so the convoys generally are stopped in the swale for long periods, so even though you might have 15 cars in the rear convoy, they are easy to manage, and oncoming vehicles - if it happens, can be let through quite easily. TEC needs to pick up the signs and things, and communicate this to the rear convoy leader so the rear convoy is always nice an tight.
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