History
Ham Radio Chicago grew out of need to find, train and support Bank of America's Chicago Marathon (see the Hero's Story account of our history with Kate Saccany.)
We started humbly with 68 hams supporting the event in 2008 after a challenging 2007 race that forced the event to stop because of the heat. After a thorough review of their procedures and operations, they decided to invite ham radio operators to help them with course-wide communication. This was just one of many strategies they ultimately deployed that changed the way they managed the race.
Ham radio serves the medical team and helps with health and welfare traffic. Today more than 140 ham radio operators from 5 states work this event. This is our 15th year.
Who We Are
Ham Radio Chicago is a resource that supports those in the amateur radio community who put their skills and ingenuity to work for their community. Many of us have a background in Emergency Communication but our focus here is to support large public service events.
Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) communicators can be deployed in many useful ways. We serve severe weather reporting, local events like parades, running or bike events, public safety, and health and welfare communication. We work closely with event organizers or with emergency coordinators, to make sure we are all working to support the cause. We are all part of a larger team.
Good communicators are needed everywhere. It is important to maintain your radio skills and agency affiliations in the event we are needed to serve a large disaster or when communication networks break down.
To become a licensed amateur radio operator, many local radio clubs offer courses or exams. If you are interested in getting involved in amateur radio, we are here to help start your journey.
The events pictured on the website are amateur radio operators who are volunteering their time and resources to support the medical teams for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. We also have worked the Tour de Cure for the Diabetes Association, or North Shore Century Bike event of the Trek 100 fundraiser.
We always seek people interested in volunteering their time and developing their skills.
What We Do
We support many different public service events. We are primarily responsible for running events sponsored by the Chicago Marathon, as an independent group of non-affiliated ham radio operators. This website is a new tool we have started to provide resources hams can use. We encourage amateur radio operators or clubs to support local community events.
Events We Support
Bank of America - Chicago Marathon
Bank of America - Shamrock Shuffle
Bank of America - Chicago 13.1
American Diabetes Association - Tour de Cure
MACC Fund - Trek 100
Lombard Lilac Festival Parade