Author: Nick Hentges

Aloha RFTW O’Hana,
May is rapidly approaching, and I think we are close to having all of our preparations done.
I would like to address a few things in this newsletter.

Itinerary
The Itinerary is posted online. In the last Newsletter (LINK HERE), Kirk “Pretty Boy” Olson explained how to download an online version to your mobile device as well as how to print the itinerary in a “Booklet” form. I recommend holding off on the printing until the 1^st of May as there may be a few (Minor) changes to times at stops, etc. READ IT Every Morning and Every Night and at Every Stop.  DO NOT ask questions of anybody where the answer is in the Itinerary (do not ask, for example, when are we leaving? Or what is our next stop?)!!

Thanks to all the State Coordinators and the Route Planner as well as Pretty Boy for getting this done this year. It takes an enormous amount of time and coordination as you might imagine. With that said, please be patient and understanding if there are minor changes once it is posted. Below is a paragraph out of the Itinerary that I would like everyone to read and think about.

This year marks the 49th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon.  According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, last updated March 1, 2024: 1,577 of our brothers and sisters are still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  Along with that number, there are 126 Cold War MIAs, mostly in or near China.  Another 7,482 American service members are still missing from the Korean War.  Additionally, 72,115 are unaccounted for from World War II.  Since the Gulf Wars, September 11, 2001, and other conflicts, there are five more MIAs.  Out of the 81,500 missing, 75% of the losses are located in the Asian Pacific, and over 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea (i.e., ship losses, known aircraft water losses, etc.).  Even though efforts of JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) have been responsible for the recovery of hundreds of remains, we must continue to remain vigilant in the pursuit to bring our missing home. American Servicemembers are still on duty throughout the world to protect our Freedom and way of life. It is imperative to obtain a full accounting of our missing from all our Nation’s wars. As a part of the RFTW Mission, Central Route concludes our annual Mission at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. on Saturday May 25, 2024.

 Questions and inquiries
Please take the following information as helpful and informative. If you have questions about procedure, assignments, positions, etc., You are much more likely to receive a timely response if your question is directed to the right person.  Examples would be questions about Platoon assignments, Missing Man, Fuel, Staging, GMRS Communications, etc. Both Kirk and I have been getting a ton of inquiries that are better directed to other leadership within the Route. Answering these inquiries takes a LOT of time each day that we could better use in planning and Coordinating the overall Run. Look at this in a manner similar to a Military “Chain of Command”. Based on our SOPs the Route Coordinator has over 30 “Direct Reports” meaning these 30+ team leaders and State Coordinators report directly to the RC. Out of those 30 people it should be possible for a rider to find an answer to a question without going to the very top first.

Please go to the online contact list on the website under the “Central Route Hub (CLICK HERE!)” and find the contact that can directly answer your questions. I.E. Platoon assignments=Platoon Coordinator, Missing Man=Missing Man Coordinator, GMRS Communications=Leadership Support Communications, etc.

As an Additional note, Email is the best way to contact me. I do not check FB Messenger, especially for RFTW related Business. Texts are OK as well but generally it is better to email.

Arlington Escort
We are still working out the total number of Motorcycles we can send into Arlington and who will get to go. I know everyone is excited about this opportunity, but please be patient and wait until we have it sorted and announce the details (Again, emails and Messages to myself or the ARC are a distraction that we cannot spare the time for right now as we finalize details for the Run).

Pre-Paid Fuel
To be totally clear on this. PRE-PAID FUEL STICKERS WILL COVER THE ACTUAL ANTICIPATED COST OF THE NON-DONATED FUEL STOPS DURING THE DAY ON THE RUN. THIS TOTAL COST (ONCE DETERMINED) IS ONLY FOR THE NON-DONATED STOPS. WE DO NOT CHARGE FOR STOPS THAT ARE BEING GENEROUSLY DONATED.

Due to the fluctuation in fuel costs, we will not have a final price for the pre-paid fuel option until May (AGAIN THE COST IS BASED ON ACTUL PROJECTED COST FOR EACH FUEL STOP). Stickers will be available from our leadership support team in Ontario, and each morning (During the hour prior to the scheduled Mandatory Meeting).

Riders must fill their motorcycles up each evening on their own before arriving at staging in the morning (Spot checks will be happening). We do have 3 very generous donors that will be donating fuel in the evening. Details will be passed in the Morning meetings about how to take advantage of the generous offers to fill our gas tanks up at night. Some Bullet Points below from the Town Hall Meeting

• COVERS THE COST OF ALL NON-DONATED FUEL STOPS DURING THE DAY
• ALL THE WAY COST WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $90.00 (Subject to change)
• WE WILL HAVE PRORATED AMOUNTS FOR THOSE NOT GOING ALL THE WAY (STILL IN PROGRESS).
• SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS BY ABOUT 75%
• NON-PRE-PAID WILL PAY CASH AT THE PUMP (NO CHANGE GIVEN) ROUNDED UP TO $5.00 (EX. PUMP $8.25-PAY $10.00/PUMP $10.05-PAY $15.00.) NO $1.00 BILLS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE PUMPS/NO EXCEPTIONS.
• THIS PROCESS GIVES EVERYONE APPROXIMATELY 10-15 EXTRA MINUTES AT FUEL STOPS
• ANY EXCESS $ GOES TO FUEL THE CHASE TRUCKS AND HYDRATION TRUCK. ANY $ LEFT AFTER THAT WILL GO TO A VETERAN’S CHARITY
• ALL RIDERS MUST FUEL COMPLETELY THE NIGHT BEFORE AND SHOW UP WITH A FULL TANK OR YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY TO GO FUEL AND POSSIBLY MISS BREAKFAST AND THE MORNING MEETING (CAN’T RIDE IN THE PACK IF YOU MISS THE MEETING). LEADERSHIP WILL BE SPOT CHECKING.

Ontario Schedule
The Ontario Schedule is almost done. We will make sure to let you know when it is done, or you can go to the Central Route Hub and check to see if it has been posted yet.
We do have a few things that are already set for Ontario listed below (Subject to change based on external Factors/Check the Ontario Schedule in the CR Hub once it is published).

1. Communications (GMRS) assistance at the Holiday Inn from 1500 (3PM) until 1700 (5 PM) Monday (Conference Room and Parking Lot) Point of Contact Harlan Olson (Leadership Support Communications on the contact list). We are looking for a few somewhat Radio Savvy Helpers (especially those familiar with the BTech GMRS pro) to Volunteer and help folks set their radio and headset up (Connect Radio to Headset/Load correct frequencies, help conduct “radio checks”, etc.). Please reach out to Harlan if you can assist with this.

2.  Riverside National Cemetery Ride (Tuesday). Stage at 0700 Tuesday and depart at 0800. Need to be checked in with the registration team prior to the RNC Run. (MONDAY)

3.  Communications testing at Lot “D” (East end) Tuesday at 1400 (2PM) to test GMRS Radio set ups

4.  Central Route Leadership Meeting in Lot “D” (East end) Tuesday at 1500 (3PM) (MANDATORY FOR ALL CR LEADERSHIP/TEAMS

5.  Central Route ALL HANDS MANDATORY Meeting in Lot “D” (East end) Tuesday at 1600 (4:00 PM) followed by team and Platoon Meetings

Breakouts and Outreach Missions

There will be opportunities to ride with the Outreach and Ambassador teams on Breakouts and other missions. Please ask your platoon or team leadership about opportunities and volunteer to go on these missions. They are very rewarding and give a great picture of the overall mission outside of the day-to-day riding.

In closing I ask that you all be safe and start preparing yourself and your Motorcycle for the Mission.

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

Check out the Central Route Facebook Group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1422773938330162

Aloha Run for the Wall O’Hana

I cannot believe we are almost in April already! Time is starting to move faster for the team putting together the Run!

An email was just sent to all Central Route REGISTERED Participants with a zoom invitation to the Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday the 26th of March at 1300 Hawaii time (1600 CA, 1700 Mountain, 1800 Central & 1900 Eastern).

If you did not get the email (Sent to the email address you put on registration) check your spam or other folders.

Additionally we will be holding a zoom on Thursday to discuss the GMRS communication system we will be testing this year on Central Route. Link for that meeting is below:

Communication Zoom Invite

Nick is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Central Route Communication Meeting
Time: Mar 28, 2024 01:00 PM Hawaii

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89099549846?pwd=a3BjRnFhTXNPc0JscDFxbUpMZExjQT09

Meeting ID: 890 9954 9846
Passcode: 273260

Kirk Olson and Harlan Olson will be spearheading this discussion and will be covering several things to help you get your radios ready for Ontario. We will have a meeting in Ontario on Tuesday the 14th of May to do a “Check Run” with the system and assist with any issues or questions, however time will be limited, so we are encouraging everyone to get their system set up and working prior to Ontario. Please reach out to Harlan Olson at harlan.olson@rftw.us if you have questions about the communications system.

In other news things are progressing well. I will put out a newsletter in April detailing a few things that are changing this year (Route changes, different lunch locations etc./nothing major)

Important Links
For any questions you may have, check out our FAQs first.  Then your next level of inquiry can be
directed to your platoon leadership or team leaders of the team you have a question about. We’ve got a strong cadre of leadership in the Pack Platoons and they are a great source of information, as is our FNG Liaison, Bernadette “Flat Tire” Staples, for our first-timers. All contact information is available in the Central Route Hub on the RFTW website.  Additionally, familiarize yourself with our Rider Code of Conduct.

Be safe and start getting your bike and Body ready for the MISSION and see you soon.

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

Check out the Central Route Facebook Group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1422773938330162

Aloha Run for the Wall O’Hana

I cannot believe we are in March already! Time is starting to move faster for the team putting together the Run!

The Board of Directors (as well as Route Coordinators and Assistants) held our “Face to Face” Spring meeting (Via Zoom) this past weekend and worked out a lot of details for the Upcoming Run as well as overall RFTW policy and initiatives.  We have finalized MOST of our preparations and only have a few minor details to work out.
Our State Coordinators are doing a fantastic job as always!
I am going to address quite a few things this newsletter (some repeats) and ask for your patience and that you read the WHOLE THING so you are getting the most up to date answers to the many questions you may have.

Pre-Paid Fuel
We are doing this again this year and it will be Pro-rated depending on your start and stop point. This will be based on the approximate ACTUAL COST of the non-donated fuel stops. So, this means I will not have a cost for you until the end of April. We will only be accepting Cash for the sticker beginning in Ontario.

FNG ride into Arlington
As you may have heard, we will have a very limited number of motorcycles allowed to ride as a group into Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday the 25^th of May. We are still working on a fair and equitable way to determine WHO will be riding the (Roughly 20) motorcycles from Central Route allowed to go. It will likely be based on several factors (listed below).

1. Distance traveled on the Run this year
2. Date Registered (earlier the better)
3. Ability to carry a passenger on the bike with you. (double the number of people that can attend)
4. Luck

Ride into Riverside National Cemetery
(Copied from the President’s Message).   As you may have seen in a FB post, Carol is working on the possibility of riders going to the March AFB museum following the ride the Riverside National Cemetery. This is a Tuesday event, with KSU tentatively scheduled for 0815 from the Elks Club. The Elks will be serving breakfast so our riders can stage, eat, and leave from the same location. Right now, the cost of entrance to the museum is $10, but Blaze is trying to get that lifted. If you are interested in going to the museum, please email Carol at carollolmstead@ymail.com so she can provide a head count. Rumor has it that the museum is planning to rope off a parking area for us.

You must be registered and CHECKED IN to go on this ride, so get to Ontario and get Checked In on Monday the 13^th.

Registration
DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE RUN! We need you to register as early as possible so we can plan for Meals, Hotel needs, Fuel stops, staging, etc..  Are you not sure if you are coming? If you are committed and are coming, get registered. Help our teams get the information they need to plan for a successful Run.

REGISTER HERE.

Fundraiser
We will be doing a 50/50 draw in advance of May. Proceeds will go to The National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center in Angel Fire NM.

https://veteranswellnessandhealing.org/

Donations made through the RFTW website and Earmarked for “Central Route 50/50” will receive the following entries based on donation amount. You can also Zelle the donation to Central.Route@Rftw.us  and note that it is for the 50/50. If you don’t designate the donation as Central Route 50/50, you will NOT BE ENTERED.

$25 gets one entry
$50 gets 3 Entries
100 gets 7 Entries
The Largest Donor overall will get 2 extra entries into the drawing.
PHOTO OF HOW TO DESIGNATE THE FUNDS on the Donation Page Below.

Cut off for this fundraiser will be April 25^th. A drawing will be held in Ontario CA. If you are not present we will either send the Money to you via Zelle or a check. We will notify the winner and ask for their preference at that point.

Communications
The initial testing of the GMRS radios is coming along well. A few (minor) glitches have been identified and we are figuring out workarounds. Thank you to Harlan and Kirk Olson and a few others in Colorado (including riders from other Routes) for taking the time to figure out this new system that is a much less expensive, easier to procure and BETTER way to communicate going down the road. If you are in leadership (Pack leadership especially) I encourage you to look into the system we will be testing and participate in the test this year. Advance teams will not necessarily be involved in the testing this year, as they tend to be out ahead of the pack anyway. More information can be found in the newsletter from early January. Link is below.

January Newsletter #1

Below is the link for the Survey form for Pack leadership that plans on assisting in the test.
Survey

Important Links
For any questions you may have, check out our FAQs first.  Then your next level of inquiry can be
directed to your platoon leadership or team leaders of the team you have a question about. We’ve got a strong cadre of leadership in the Pack Platoons and they are a great source of information, as is our FNG Liaison, Bernadette “Flat Tire” Staples, for our first-timers. All contact information is available in the Central Route Hub on the RFTW website.  Additionally, familiarize yourself with our Rider Code of Conduct.

Upcoming Meetings

FNG ZOOM
We are having an FNG zoom meeting on Monday the 11^th of March (time below).
1:00 PM Hawaii Time
4:00 PM CA time
5;00 PM Mountain time
6;00 PM Central time
7;00 PM Eastern time

The zoom invitation will be sent out on Saturday the 9^th of March to all REGISTERED FNGs as of that day and Route Leadership, so if you have not registered yet you need to. Please note that in order to keep the meeting manageable, we will be following similar Protocol to what was used for the BOD Town Hall meetings.

All attendees are asked to remain Muted, unless asked by the Moderator (Me) or the ARC, to speak.
Questions should be addressed via the chat function and will be answered in the order they are received.
When the invitation is sent out it will have a brief agenda in the email as well so you will know what we plan to cover and have questions ready.

CENTRAL ROUTE TOWN HALL
We will be having a Central Route specific Town Hall meeting on the 26^th of March at the below listed times.
1:00 PM Hawaii Time
4:00 PM CA time
5;00 PM Mountain time
6;00 PM Central time
7;00 PM Eastern time

The zoom invitation will be sent out on Saturday the 23rd of March to all REGISTERED personnel as of that day, so if you have not registered yet you need to. Please note that in order to keep the meeting manageable, we will be following similar Protocol to what was used for the BOD Town Hall meetings.
All attendees are asked to remain Muted, unless asked by the Moderator (Me) or the ARC, to speak.
Questions should be addressed via the chat function and will be answered in the order they are received.
When the invitation is sent out it will have a brief agenda in the email as well so you will know what we plan to cover and have questions ready.

CENTRAL ROUTE Communications Zoom
We will be having a zoom meeting on the 29^th of March at the below listed times to discuss the GMRS Radio System Central Route will be trying out this year. The invite will go out in a separate newsletter as we get closer to the date..
1:00 PM Hawaii Time
4:00 PM CA time
5;00 PM Mountain time
6;00 PM Central time
7;00 PM Eastern time

Please note that in order to keep the meeting manageable, we will be following similar Protocol to what was used for the BOD Town Hall meetings.

All attendees are asked to remain Muted, unless asked by the Moderator (Me) or the ARC, to speak.
Questions should be addressed via the chat function and will be answered in the order they are received.
When the invitation is sent out it will have a brief agenda in the email as well so you will know what we plan to cover and have questions ready.

Aloha RFTW  ‘Ohana,

IS IT MAY YET?

We all see this comment each year from June through May. Well, it isn’t May yet, but it is rapidly approaching. Our State Coordinators are busy finalizing our Route and Plans for our stops. Do not forget to shake their hands and thank them when you see them. We cannot do this without them.

Most of our Leadership/Volunteer spots are filled, but we are still looking for a Friends of Bill Coordinator (IYKYK) and a Videographer.
Our Director of Merchandise is still searching for Team Members. If you would like to volunteer for this important Position, please contact Merchandise@rftw.us for more information.

Fundraising
Our 50/50 Raffle to Benefit the National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center is doing OK, but not nearly as well as I had Hoped. Please see more information in my last Newsletter and Consider entering the 50/50 drawing and supporting a great Charity at the same time.

January Newsletter #2

Upcoming Meetings
We are Planning Several Zoom Meetings in the next 2 Months.
Leadership Meeting in Mid-February, For team leaders and Platoon Leadership.
FNG Meeting toward the end of February. Keep an Eye on your email that you used when registering for an Invitation to that.
Town Hall meeting for Central Route in Early March and a GMRS radio Zoom meeting about a week after that. Info on the March Meetings will go into the March newsletter.

Pre-Paid Fuel
We will have prepaid fuel. The cost will be determined once we have a comprehensive list of donated stops and are closer to our departure so we can check current fuel cost. Pre-Paid fuel will be prorated from Location joined to final Location. Stay Tuned. Prepaid fuel stickers will be available to purchase in Ontario Starting and each day at the evening stop and the Morning meeting. Our leadership Support team will be collecting for those and marking them with your destination. We will not be selling these in advance and will be accepting cash only. (No $1 dollar bills).

Other fun facts
As of today, Central Route has 329 people signed up with 95 being FNGs! Welcome FNGs!!

Communications
The initial testing of the GMRS radios is coming along well. A few (minor) glitches have been identified and we are figuring out workarounds. Thank you to Harlan and Kirk Olson and a few others in Colorado (including riders from other Routes) for taking the time to figure out this new system that is a much less expensive, easier to procure and BETTER way to communicate going down the road. If you are in leadership (Pack leadership especially) I encourage you to look into the system we will be testing and participate in the test this year. Advance teams will not necessarily be involved in the testing this year, as they tend to be out ahead of the pack anyway. More information can be found in the newsletter from early January. Link is below.

January Newsletter #1

Below is the link for the Survey form for Pack leadership that plans on assisting in the test.

Survey

Important Links

For any questions you may have, check out our FAQs first.  Then your next level of inquiry can be directed to your platoon leadership or team leaders of the team you have a question about. We’ve got a strong cadre of leadership in the Pack Platoons and they are a great source of information, as is our FNG Liaison, Bernadette “Flat Tire” Staples, for our first-timers. All contact information is available in the Central Route Hub on the RFTW website.  Additionally, familiarize yourself with our Rider Code of Conduct.

In closing, Please register as soon as Possible (Especially if you are in a leadership role).

REGISTER HERE!!!!!!

This is important for us to know about how many people and vehicles we will have on the Route for our planning purposes (Think Fuel, Staging, Meals etc.). If you are in leadership, it is especially important to register NOW, so I know we can count on your attendance and participation.

Be safe and start getting your bike and Body ready for the MISSION and see you soon.

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

Check out the Central Route Facebook Group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1422773938330162

Aloha RFWT ‘Ohana

Just a few things to update you on below.

Communications
We are working on a tutorial for the GMRS radios that we will be trying out this year. If you are planning to assist with the trial, Please go to the link below and fill out the survey so we can get an idea of who will be participating and include you in Monthly updates and a Zoom meeting in April to discuss the system.

Survey

Pre-Paid Fuel
We will have pre-Paid Fuel again this year. It will be prorated for where you join and where you will end your run. All riders with Pre-Paid Fuel MUST Fill up each night before going to staging in the Morning (Team Leaders will be checking). Those who choose not to use the Pre-Paid option will need cash (NO $1 Dollar bills; $5’s and $10’s ONLY Rounded UP.).  This system vastly sped up our fueling times last year giving everyone more time to drink, use the restroom and stretch at each fuel stop. Pre-Paid Fuel sales will start in Ontario at the All Hands Meeting on Tuesday (Time to Be Determined). Prepaid Fuel will be available each Morning BEFORE the Mandatory Morning meeting.

Fundraiser
We will be doing a 50/50 draw in advance of May. Proceeds will go to The National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center in Angel Fire NM.

https://veteranswellnessandhealing.org/

Donations made through the RFTW website and Earmarked for “Central Route 50/50” will receive the following entries based on donation amount. You can also Zelle the donation to Central.Route@Rftw.us  and note that it is for the 50/50. If you don’t designate the donation as Central Route 50/50, you will NOT BE ENTERED.

$25 gets one entry

$50 gets 3 Entries

100 gets 7 Entries

The Largest Donor overall will get 2 extra entries into the drawing.
PHOTO OF HOW TO DESIGNATE THE FUNDS on the Donation Page Below.

Cut off for this fundraiser will be April 25^th. A drawing will be held in Ontario CA. If you are not present we will either send the Money to you via Zelle or a check. We will notify the winner and ask for their preference at that point.

FNG Liaison
As you may know we have an FNG Liaison. Her name is Bernadette “Flat Tire” Staples. Her email is Bernadette.Staples@rftw.us Please reach out to her if you have any questions. She has also started a RFTW Central Route Facebook Group which is a good place to go get information and connect with other Central Route Riders. Please limit posts in this group to pertinent information specific to Central Route.

The Group can be found here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1422773938330162

Registration
Please get registered ASAP. The price goes up Next WEEK!

There is a Board of Directors Town Hall Zoom THIS week (Thursday) to talk about registration. Please mark your calendars and try to attend. Link to the newsletter is below with all of the pertinent information.
NEWSLETTER

Merchandise

Our Director of Merchandise is still searching for Team Members. If you would like to volunteer for this important Position, please contact Merchandise@rftw.us for more information.

Stay Safe and start getting yourself and your Bike ready for the Run.

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

Aloha and “hauʻoli makahiki hou” to my RFTW O’Hana

Well it is finally 2024, the year of the 34th annual Run for the Wall mission. Planning is coming along very well for Central Route. We had a Planning meeting Thursday and are well on our way to coordinate all of our stops along the way. Our State Coordinators and other leadership has been hard at work getting things coordinated for a smooth safe and meaningful RFTW.  Minus a few glitches here and there the hotel list release went well. If there are any issues, please contact the State Coordinator in that respective State to sort it out.

We will have an FNG Liaison this year.  Her name is Bernadette “Flat Tire” Staples” If you have questions about how we operate, please contact her directly at Bernadette.staples@rftw.us. Sometime in February or March we will have an FNG Zoom Meeting so make sure you check your emails for the newsletter with the information on that.

RFTW Central Route in May 2024 will be piloting a new communications system for on-road communications while underway during our 10-Day Mission from Ontario, CA to Washington, DC. We will be using GMRS Radios and a High Power repeater. This technology has much further range than CB, and with clearer reception and transmission.  CB Radios are old, antiquated, and is a dying technology.  With that being said, we would like to encourage as many people to participate in the pilot program as possible this coming May.  We are highly encouraging all Platoon Leaders, APL’s, Tail Gunners, Road Guards, Chaplains, and Medics to participate in this year’s pilot and test. Pack riders and FNGs are also certainly allowed to listen. There are numerous off-the-shelf radios available that can be made Bluetooth capable if you have a Bluetooth helmet headset, like a Sena or a Cardo. If you do not use a Bluetooth helmet set-up, there are some wired solutions available, as well.

Option 1: (This option is the #1 HIGHEST recommendation.)

The BEST solution we have found in trying out several options is the BTECH GMRS Pro Bluetooth Radio with a Wireless PTT Button.
This solution WILL connect to a Bluetooth Helmet set-up like a Sena, for example.
Link to BTECH GMRS Pro at Amazon – https://amzn.to/3S8dX03
Video on this Btech GMRS Pro Radio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkk5hY3hM2k
Link to Wireless PTT at Amazon –         https://amzn.to/3S6P84z
Video on this radio: https://youtu.be/Mkk5hY3hM2k?t=179
Optional BTECH GMRS Pro K1 Adapter Cable. Allows Seamless integration with K1 Accessories, like a speaker mic or connecting to a wired harness: https://amzn.to/48NFOZ7
The radio can also be purchased here: https://baofengtech.com/product/gmrs-pro/

Option 2:
Any GMRS Radio like these:
TID Radio H8 GMRS Radio: **Recommended
https://amzn.to/3vsL1XR or here
https://amzn.to/3tJSpxw  **Recommended (Value Pack)
Video on the TID Radio H8: https://youtu.be/8HXSlHT84yQ?si=7v9_WVTpZ0A9muRo
Baofeng UV-5RTP: https://amzn.to/3tHoUMI
*These radios  are not Bluetooth from the manufacturer, so would best be used with a wired set-up, or external Bluetooth module.
External Bluetooth Module: https://amzn.to/3H6LGkg

A company called Rugged Radios are the BEST wired harnesses for those that do not have or want a Bluetooth helmet set-up, and they also offer Bluetooth for any radio, and are built for motorcycling.

Wired & External Bluetooth harnesses options from Rugged Radios. These harnesses work with almost any GMRS.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/collections/motorcycle-two-way-radio-helmet-communication-kits

Option 3:

If you are an Amateur Radio Operator (HAM), you may be interested in the Anytone ATD878UVII Plus.  This is a HAM radio, and can be unlocked for GMRS use, and has Bluetooth built-in that will pair to a Bluetooth helmet set-up.  This option does require good computer skills to program the radio.

We will still be using CB in 2024, and will likely move to the new system in 2025 and beyond, assuming the pilot test goes well.

Listening to a GMRS radio does not require a license from the FCC.
Transmitting on a GMRS frequency does require a license from the FCC and is easy to get, and is $35 for 10-years.
One license can be used per family.
Video on How-to get a GMRS license: https://youtu.be/xOuOIB1KCQ4?t=73
Click here to establish your FCC FRN Number: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do
Click here for the FCC Universal Licensing System: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system

The Central Route RC, ARC, Comms Officer and some of our Road Guards already have their GMRS licenses.

Please contact for more information:
Kirk Olson –      Kirk.Olson@rftw.us     — Phone: 303-588-6125
Harlan Olson – Harlan.Olson@rftw.us – Phone: 303-717-4514

Keep in mind the radio used must be be repeater capable and able to use CTSS encryption, which almost all GMRS radios are.

Keep your eye out for a follow on newsletter later this month about fundraising and prepaid fuel. We will be doing a 50/50 fundraiser before the RUN and will be doing prepaid fuel again this year. Details to follow on both of these topics.

If you are not receiving the newsletters in your mailbox, please sign up. Much information that is important and pertinent will be passed in the next couple of months and that information will be in the newsletters! Much easier to just open your e-mail and read about it than it is to go on FB or call and email people to get answers to things that have already been covered in a newsletter. The sign up is at the bottom of the rftw.us website and is simple to do.

In closing, Please remember to register before the cost goes up on 1 February.

REGISTER HERE!!!!!!

This is important for us to know about how many people and vehicles we will have on the Route for our planning purposes (Think Fuel, Staging, Meals etc.). If you are in leadership, it is especially important to register NOW, so I know we can count on your attendance and participation.

Be safe start getting your bike and Body ready for the MISSION and see you soon.

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka to my Run for the Wall O’Hana

After nearly 51 years, Captain Ronald Wayne Forrester has been found. Remains found a the crash site of his aircraft have been positively identified as his. His Daughter, Karoni “Hoops” Forrester (Pictured with her Father in the Above photo) is the head of the Outreach team for Southern Route and has been fighting for decades to bring her daddy home and get closure for her family.  THIS IS WHY WE RIDE! Link to his bio is below. Please keep demanding an accounting of our missing Service Members. What we do makes a difference!

Captain Forrester Status

Synopsis

I am also linking a President’s newsletter from January of 2023. Please take a moment to read/re-read this message. It is very well written and is a good reminder of why we ride.

President’s Message 9 Jan 2023

In other news, Planning for RFTW XXXIV is coming along well. State Coordinators are working their magic. The hotel list will be coming out on January 1st. Please be patient and courteous to the hotel folks when you call to reserve your room. We are all Ambassadors for the Run and politeness goes a long way in maintaining our relationships with those that support us along the Routes.

If you haven’t done so yet, please consider donating to the Run before the end of the year so you can claim it on your taxes. RFTW is a 501C(3) nonprofit. You can go to the link below and donate online or you can Zelle directly to Central route at central.route@rftw.us 

Donate Here

If you donate through the website, please make sure you designate where you want the donation to go (Central Route, Southern Route, General, etc.).

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE RUN! We need you to register as early as possible so we can plan for Meals, Hotel needs, Fuel stops, staging, etc..  Are you not sure if you are coming? If you are committed and are coming, get registered. Help our teams get the information they need to plan for a successful Run. Also the price goes up on 1 February!

REGISTER HERE.

The Central Route is in need of a Merchandise team leader. See the newsletter from our Director of merchandise in the link below. We have a Driver and Vehicle but need a Sales team leader. Requirements are in the newsletter linked below.

Newsletter

We are planning to do a “Town Hall” Zoom for the Central Route in Early January. Keep an eye on your email for a newsletter with more information.

Please have a safe and enjoyable Holiday season and remember those who are not able to be with their loved ones during this time of year.

Today, take a moment to remember those approximately 2400 Americans lost and 1200 that were wounded on this day in 1941 during the attack on Pearl Harbor that thrust us into WWII.

Remember the Mission and continue to plan for the upcoming RUN. See you all soon!

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024

Aloha Run for the Wall O’hana,

Sadly, as many of you know, RFTW and Central Route lost one of our own this month in a Motorcycle accident.  Audrey Mangan was killed in a Motorcycle accident last week. A Memorial Service is scheduled for the 16th of December . Information for the Memorial Service is below.

I will follow up in my next regular newsletter with any additions to the plans for the Memorial Service. Please keep Audrey’s Family in your thoughts and Prayers.

Aloha RFTW O’Hana,

Registration is off to a great Start. We have 269 people signed up already in just under one month. 99 of them are on the Central Route. I encourage everyone to get on line and get registered NOW. We need the projected numbers for planning purposes. Our State Coordinators are already working on Hotel accommodations, fuel and meal stops. Knowing how many bikes and people we are expecting is a huge help in the planning process.

REGISTER HERE!!

Things are going pretty smoothly with our planning. We do still need some volunteers.

We are looking for a 50/50 Rouser, a Videographer, and Merchandise team Leader and Driver. If you are interested in the Merchandise team positions, Please reach out directly to Alan “XBox” Steiner at merchandise@rftw.us for more information. If you are interested in the 50/50 or Videographer positions, please email Kirk “Prettyboy” Olson at kirk.olson@rftw.us

We have an event coming up in Southern California at the end of October and we are looking for RFTW Riders to come and support it. This is the Community Kickoff Event for Homes for our Troops (HFOT). RFTW Donated money to HFOT to assist in building adapted homes for wounded Veterans. This month the Community Kickoff Ceremony for HM3 Nathaniel “Randell” Leoncio is Scheduled for 2:00 PM October 28th in San Marcos, CA.

Information about Doc Leoncio can be found here.

MORE INFO

News Article 

Bronze Star

We have created a sign up form on google docs to sign up for the event so we can plan for the numbers that will  be attending. We are looking for Motorcycles to Escort Doc Leoncio to the Church where the ceremony is going to be held. Staging (Currently) is slated to be at Lot “C” at California State University-San Marcos. Address is  333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078. Staging will be at 1:30 PM at lot C. There will be a rider’s brief and a chance to meet the Recipient Doc Leoncio and then we will escort him to the Church for the Ceremony. We are also looking for any volunteers to assist the PGR with a flag line at the church.

SIGN UP SHEET LINK

More information to come. If you sign up on the google doc, please make sure we have a good email address and cell phone number, so we can send updates and changes as needed.

Remember the Mission and continue to plan for the upcoming RUN. See you all soon!

MUCH ALOHA TO MY ‘OHANA
Nick “Richboy” Hentges
RFTW Central Route Coordinator 2024