Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

I wouldn't call a scanner a walkie-talkie; one would think, or at least I think that FIRST is most likely concerned about interference, which should not be an issue with any scanner.

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

A: While walkie-talkies are specifically outlawed in the manual, there are handheld scanners that have the capability to automagically pick up nearby transmissions. I have one on my desk. While that would do exactly what you want, remember the "intent of the rule." Is the intent of "Do not use walkie-talkies" to keep you from interfering with transmissions or to keep you from listening to begin with? There are probably some things said on those radios that aren't meant to be heard by teams.

B: Most event radios are provided to event staff by Show Ready Events. While radio use between events may be somewhat consistent, the frequency they operate on may not. It would be difficult for you to find those frequencies without one of the previously mentioned scanners.

C: Yes.

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

So what are your thoughts? Would a scanner be illegal? I mean, there are no transmissions from it. It just listens.

What would they say they we shouldnt hear?

"Uh, hey guys, I'm gonna pull the sensor on the red alliances top hoop because I don't like team 2607, ok?


Do you know any more than that?

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

Is there any form of communication that i could use to comunicate with my fellow driver at a competition easily. Like asking if he is on his way to the match, or something. Mind you i do not have a cell phone, and we cannot use our cell phones in the states (we are Canadian) and we are going to 2 regionals, and the championships in the states. Especially at championships a simple communication device would be a great help. We (the drive team) would be able to communicate between ourselves about when we need to get to queing, and we could talk to someone in the stands if we need a particular person to the pits, etc.

Thanks :)

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

As far as I know, there's nothing about scanners in the manual and the only thing that comes close is 4.15's "Do not use walkie-talkies". Based on that, it'd lead me to believe that scanners are allowed since they are simply for listening. You could make the case that if scanners aren't allowed, they shouldn't allow AM/FM radios either because they essentially do the same thing - monitor a specific frequency for communication, but that might be a bit of a stretch.

... but all we can really do on Chief Delphi is guess. If you really want to pursue this (even if it doesn't sound like there's much to listen to), ask on the Q&A.

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

Well, if not walkie talkies, and wifi is off limits, then bluetooth is your only other option I think, but you are limited to 30 feet! kindof useless...

You know, it is ok to start your own thread :P

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

Here is my case:

You are often caught up in fixing the robot, planning strategy, and other involved task. All im trying to do here is make life easier on myself by piping the match info right into my ear. Also, during a off-season competition, the team member who was told to highlight our number on the match list missed one and we almost missed our match. I am assuming that someone on communication would have said "Where is 2607?" and I think that that would have happened. This seems like a really useful tool to have set up at our pits, a scanner box for the crew communications.



But, for a question, would they be using regular walkie talkies on the FMS(No, not the field "Connected to FMS" FMS) channels?

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

I do, but as team use of walkie-talkies is specifically prohibited I'm going to refrain from sharing that information.

I think your time is more wisely used paying closer attention to the Pit Admin announcements than putting so much effort into listening to the event staff. If you really want to listen that bad, follow the suggestion above and submit a question to the Q&A asking if a scanner is legal.

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

There are actually relatively few frequencies they could be using. If you were to try this I would look into the commercial VHF band as that is most likely where they are, or the UHF band.

For a bit more info look here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_band

If you want to learn more about radio, check out the American radio relay league about becoming an amateur radio operator.

For the teams that cannot use their cell phones in the US, look into the cheap (approx $20 US) prepaid cell phones, they would likely do what you want and are not disallowed.

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

Alright. If they are using such frequencies, then this isn't worth it.


IDK why you would withold, I'm not talking about a walkie talkie, Im talking about a scanner than has no way of putting sound onto the channel, but I guess it doesn't matter at this point. Thanks Guys for all the good info.

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

Just curious why the frequency they are operating on caused you to change your mind?

Re: event staff radios at competitons
 

These arn't normal walkie talkie bands, so I really dont want to go trying to get a radio for these frequencies(If its even legal).

I just kindof got in over my head at that point :P