Daily Mining Gazette/David Archambeau Local radio amateur groups, such as the Keweenaw Repeater Association and the Copper Country Radio Amateur Association, have been involved with the CopperDog 150 dog sled race from the beginning in March 2010. The radio groups often have a person station at check points, such as this one seen during the 2012 race.

CALUMET — The 2017 CopperDog sled dog race is right around the corner, and for race organizers, safety is the most important part of the event.

Bill LaBell, who is CopperDog communications director, said two local amateur radio organizations, the Keweenaw Repeater Association and the Copper Country Radio Amateur Association, have been involved with the race from the beginning in March 2010.

This year the CopperDog 150 and associated events take place March 3 to 5.

LaBell said the members of the two radio organizations are stationed at all the locations where the course crosses roads to insure there are no collisions.

“The number one thing we’re there for is safety,” he said.

The radio club members also call in the times as each team passes a particular point on the course, LaBell said.

“That keeps everybody advised where the teams are,” he said.

Fortunately, LaBell said there have been no serious incidents involving the racers or their dogs.

Since the beginning of the CD 150, LaBell said communications have improved with more amateur radio operators on the course.

“It was a little trying at first,” he said.

The amateur radio operators are not only in communication with each other and race organizers, LaBell said they are also in contact with emergency personnel, including as fire, police and EMS. There are police and fire fighters at each crossing.

“I am in communication with them at all times,” he said. “We want to make sure everything is as safe as possible for everybody.”

Besides the members of the Copper Country Radio Amateur Association and the Keweenaw Repeater Association, LaBell said members of the Michigan Technological University Amateur Radi Club are involved with CopperDog. The members carry their radios in backpacks and ride with race officials to provide communication during the race.

The amateur radio operators help make sure the CopperDog is as safe as possible, and communications are as timely as possible.

“It’s avery vital pert of the scheme of things,” he said.