The Yavapai Amateur Radio Club and Verde Valley Amateur Radio Association 21st Annual Prescott Rally

* October 3-4, 2008 Again this year, the Prescott Rally was a “roaring” success. The rally was staged on Yavapai county mountain roads between Jerome, Perkinsville, Drake, and Chino Valley. Over 50 hams from Arizona and California volunteered to provide communications for the rally organizers. Some hams rode in sweep vehicles, others manned road blocks, others provided start and finish communications, and still others manned net control. The weather cooperated with enough wind on Friday to clear the dust quickly and rain showers that moved in Saturday afternoon put an end to dust altogether. The rally participants first gathered at the Subaru dealer in Prescott Friday afternoon, and then departed for First View near Jerome. The first vehicle started about 6PM and headed for the first stage finish near the Perkinsville bridge. The remaining stages either started or finished near the bridge and were run in the dark. The Saturday stages began before 9AM on the Perkinsville road just east of Chino Valley, heading first toward the Perkinsville bridge, and continuing up to First View. The fastest cars averaged better than 70 mph over the twenty-two miles hitting speeds above 110 mph. Friday night, it was discovered that there was no radio operator for the Fast Sweep “0” Car. Starla, KE7DTS, volunteered to ride in the “0” Car and had the time of her life. When I asked her how fast she went, she said she never looked (or perhaps didn’t want to look?). She did relate to me that Keith Roper, the driver did say something like, “There! 102”. Starla did enjoy herself, and may even volunteer to ride along next year. Thirty competitors showed up from the East Coast, West Coast, Arizona, and other states. At the awards celebration Saturday afternoon, there was unanimous agreement that the Prescott Rally is the best run rally with the best communications of any on the circuit. There were many accolades and kudos for the volunteers. Bob Thompson, KC8BOB

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