|
Monday, 03 August 2009 11:59 |
2008 Report - Another sucessful year, 242 runners started 162 finished.
- Packet system worked extremly well other than a couple of power outages at Net Control. At one point KD0J noted a slowdown due to an overload and packet collisions at the "Murd" packet node, he was able to have some of the aid stations move from "Murd" to "Clay" which made the system work much faster.
- Several Packet stations using windows computers and hyper terminal as their communications program ran into some problems, hyper term was written for telephone modems, it works for packet but can induce problems if not set up correctly. As an alternative try a simple program called "Tera Term"a free software terminal emulator.
- As usual, we had several lost runners, pacers, and a few minor medical injuries, we had one real concern over a missing runner between Alexander and Lamb's. The runner was overdue about 5 hours in the middle of the night, we had several reports from people on the trail that indicated they had not seen anyone. KE7GHK from Lamb's (a non runner) hiked back to Alexander in the dark looking for our missing runner and almost got lost himself but had simplex communications. NCS had notified race committee, called emergency contact numbers provided by the runner, and at day break was in the process of contacting search and rescue when Lamb's called in reporting the runner had met up with some Bow hunters and they drove him into their aid station. Thanks to all that assisted with this incident.
- The Net Control team working together shareing the work load and responsibilities made things work much smoother and better for the race committee, runner crews, the public, all of us at Net Control, and improving the systems used by the aid stations.
- The Web Server had over 90,000 web page views.
- "Twitter" was used for the first time this year.
- The Look-up Computers at the Finish line looked just like the Web site but access was from a separate server at the Finish Line.
- We at NCS received many many complements on the technology available for them to get information on the runners, for the help and assistance from the aid stations, from the race committee for all we do for them. They are all amazed as to what we do and how well we do it.
- We are always looking to make things even better so if you have suggestions go the contact page and let us know.
- Thanks to all of you that make the communications for W-100 function so well.
Whats New for 2008:
*W100 Net Control Team formed for sharing workload and improving the system
*Packet will poll connected stations every 10 minutes with a time stamp and # of inbound runners
*The checkpoint stations will be able to enter their own "DNF's" via packet
*Multiple runner look-ups on the internet using one request
*Improved NCS monitoring screens for leaders, DNF's, overdue runners, etc.
*A second computer at Finish Emulating the Web Server for backup and local inquiries
*New check-in check-out proceedures for aid stations
*Sag Vans if available assist in bringing dropbags & back-up data to "Finish" following aid station close
*Better method of printing Finish Certificates
*Packet stress test to evaluate last years problems completed (all went well)
*New Web Pages:
Operational Frequencies
Checkpoint Times
Downloadable Documents
2008 Race:
The finish line will again be at the Homestead Resort in Midway. Five VHF nodes will be available for checkpoint connection: two nodes on Clayton Peak, Murdock Peak,Antelope Island, and Lewis Peak. The nodes on Murdock Peak, Lewis Peak, and Antelope Island are permanently installed. The Clayton Peak nodes go up the day before the race starts and are battery powered. In 2007 problems with the packet system were encountered both from a software issue at the finish line and a packet node lock condition. The packet system became over loaded with all the retries causing a system lock up. These problems have been identified and resolved. A system stress test was completed in July, this was done to resolve the 2007 disconnect/lock-up problems, all went well and should work much better this year. |
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 August 2010 12:24 |
