10/16/2025
Amateur radio operators serve their communities across the United States[1] in
many ways, before and When All Else Fails[2]¿. Using their skills as
communicators, their personal equipment, and the Amateur Radio Service, the
"hams" provide a needed boost to public safety radio systems.
The 47th Bank of America Chicago Marathon[3], held on October 12, 2025,
featured 55,000 runners from around the world. And, for this 17th year, a team
of 155 amateur radio operators from 6 states assisted the 2000 medical
personnel volunteering for the event.
Amateur radio operators were partnered with the medical teams to help
coordinate responses, arrange for re-supplies, and provide situational
awareness for the organizers.
About 60% of the amateur radio teams come from local clubs and they train their
own people. There are 5 local radio clubs that have repeaters in tall buildings
throughout the city to help reach some of the far ends of the course, but also
deployed were 5 portable UHF repeaters, in Grant Park and in other select
places where there was a need for backup resources. Organizers wanted to make
sure every team had at least three ways to reach the Forward Command tent in
Grant Park.
One hundred ham radio operators were stationed at the 20 course medical tents
and one medical hub. They supported the medical teams and communicated their
requests for transport, supplies or other course-related information, using
traditional radio channels. In the Forward Command tent, the hams had 10 net
control operators and logging specialists. For several years, the Automatic
Packet Reporting System (APRS) has been used to track some of the medical
personnel in the Grant Park area. This has been a useful tool since the
post-race scene is crowded with thousands of runners and friends. APRS was also
used to help locate patients, medical teams, and amateur radio operators.
Medical Communications Lead Rob Orr, K9RST, said ham radio is important to the
event, but is just one small component of a very complex event that requires
10,000 volunteers to be successful.
"Ham radio has a unique role and works alongside the other specialty service
groups required to support an event of this magnitude. We are grateful to the
hams who have shared their expertise, time, and resources over the years. This
event has shown the public, the city officials, and the runners that ham radio
is very much alive and doing well."
[1] https://www.arrl.org/public-service
[2] http://www.arrl.org/ares
[3] https://www.chicagomarathon.com/
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