Abstract
This is an account of the K-1000 rally in which I was participating as a volunteer for the communications group.
On your mark, Get set, VROOOOOM
This all started with a phone call from Mr. Satyapal, VU2FI, on one gloomy Tuesday morning shaking me out of my slumber.The miracle was that I got SP's call even though my phone was not working. His message was simple, You are to help with communications in the K1000 rally come to Indian Institute of Ham's for a briefing on Thursday evening.
After work on a rainy Thursday evening I reached IIH literally soaking wet because of the heavy downpour. I was told that the rally would be at Maddur, a quiet town to the South of Bangalore, known for a type of dish called Maddur Vade. We were to stay in a wedding hall, and we were supposed to be ready for anything. That set the tone for the rally.
The rendezvous was supposed to be at "The Club" on Mysore road at 7 O Clock in the evening. I being my punctual self was present at the club. To my relief and surprise. SP and his band of merry men were also in time. Little did I realize that they had still not completed the work on the 0 and the 00 cars of the rally. We eventually left for Maddur at around 9:30 in the evening. I was was traveling with a couple of experienced ham's the rotundus Vishas and the lanky Girish, the ever knowledgeable Yogesh. I was half asleep during the entire journey.
The next morning we got up early, cause we had to rake our positions before the zero car arrived. We have to be the first people on the circuit for the communication. The Zero car is the first car which goes past all the checkpoints seeing if everything is in order. After the zero car we had the double zero car going past. This car signifies the start of the rally. I was at the start in the ambulance.
The rally was well organised so it was smooth sailing. After a hard days work, the communication went back to choultry back for a sumptuous lunch. That evening we had a get together, the place was over flowing with all sort of liquids. We had our venerable teacher, Mr Marcus VU2VTM, telling about his hey days when he used go for rallies. Then we also had Girish telling about their experiences during the Orrisa Supercyclone and Gujrat Earthquake. Really we have to give it to the volunteering spirit of these men who jump to help people and the nation in times of crisis.
Then is started all over again in the morning. Back to our positions. Before we knew it the rally had come to an end, and it was time to come back. I wanted to take a souviner. Thankfully, Mr Bharath gave me a "Marshal" sticker.
After lunch we had to leave the quaint town of Maddur for Bangalore. I was travelling with Doc. He was in the mood to show the capability of his weathered Premier Padmini. But, boy I must say that I never knew that a Padmini could be driven like that. That was an experience in itself. I reached Banashankari at around 4:30. Belive it or not it took us 1 hour to cover the distance.
In conclusion I have to say that being a part of the communication group was an enriching experience in itself. I am grateful that I was given an opportunity to be a part of this group.