Communications
Communications at the event are provided by volunteer amateur radio operators, usually consisting of many members of the Bloomington Amateur Radio Club and K9IU, as well as other hams from the region. Hams accompany SAGs (rescue vehicles) and a station is present at each rest stop. An effort is made for every station, especially the SAGs, to include an APRS unit, which beacons their location for use by net control.
Communications are run through a directed net. Net control is located in Ellettsville high school, and coordinates all ham radio traffic and SAGs for the event. In recent years, the net has run on the WB9TLH 2m repeater, which is located on the Indiana University, Bloomington campus.
Cell phones are not used as the primary mode of communication, partly because coverage is poor or non-existent along many stretches of the tour, and partly because it was decided to be beneficial that all traffic be open. Reasoning for communications traffic being open includes benefits such as everyone involved knowing what's going on elsewhere, and important announcements and other information not needing to be repeated.
Read more about this topic: Hilly Hundred