event staff radios at competitons

[dellagd]

Hey-

Well, you know how they have radios you can buy and listen into NASCAR chatter at races? Well, is there any standard for radios used at events? I dont know, I just thought it would be cool if we could listen to what was going on in the que and such. I could wear an earpiece and get updates on what was going on, you know, like when a match was starting or problems on the field (cause we all know that we want to know what the big hold-up is!)

Anyone experienced with these things know anything on it? (or if that was illegal at competitions?)

[crake]

Originally Posted by dellagd

Hey-
Anyone experienced with these things know anything on it? (or if that was illegal at competitions?)

I heard that starting this year all staff members are required to speak exclusively in Quenya when using radios, so good luck!

[Joe Ross]

Section 4.15 of the administrative manual says "Do not use walkie-talkies."

[dellagd]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

Section 4.15 of the administrative manual says "Do not use walkie-talkies."

So that would exclude using one just to listen into a already in use channel?

[jvriezen]

Originally Posted by dellagd

So that would exclude using one just to listen into a already in use channel?

What part of 'do not use walkie-talkies' do you not understand?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by dellagd

So that would exclude using one just to listen into a already in use channel?

If you need to know something, you'll be told over the PA, or someone will come talk to you. Otherwise, you don't need to know it.

Personally, I don't think some of the comments that would be made during a downed field would be very good listening. Plus, much of that sort of thing would be "X, can you come to the field" or not spoken at all, as the FTA and his crew would be all hunkered around the problem part of the field.

Not to mention that they operate on multiple channels. If you need person X, then the call goes on channel Y. Person Z to get team A for a match, channel W. I've seen this personally, while working as an inspector. Even if you--in violation of the walkie-talkie prohibition--managed to listen in on one channel, you'd only get part of the story.

[dellagd]

Originally Posted by jvriezen

What part of 'do not use walkie-talkies' do you not understand?

Ok ok! I was just curious! It seemed like a cool idea that was at least worth a second crack at it!

If you need to know something, you'll be told over the PA, or someone will come talk to you. Otherwise, you don't need to know it.

Well, I am well aware that I don't need to know it. It just would be fun to know!

[jvriezen]

Originally Posted by dellagd

Ok ok! I was just curious! It seemed like a cool idea that was at least worth a second crack at it!



Well, I am well aware that I don't need to know it. It just would be fun to know!

I've been on a radio at a regional as an FTAA-- and I did occasionally listen in on other channels. It would be pretty boring to listen to, actually. You'll get much more out of the event if you have two way conversations with real people on your team, on your alliances, in other pits, with inspectors, judges, visitors, etc...

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by EricH

If you need to know something, you'll be told over the PA, or someone will come talk to you. Otherwise, you don't need to know it.

Personally, I don't think some of the comments that would be made during a downed field would be very good listening. Plus, much of that sort of thing would be "X, can you come to the field" or not spoken at all, as the FTA and his crew would be all hunkered around the problem part of the field.

Not to mention that they operate on multiple channels. If you need person X, then the call goes on channel Y. Person Z to get team A for a match, channel W. I've seen this personally, while working as an inspector. Even if you--in violation of the walkie-talkie prohibition--managed to listen in on one channel, you'd only get part of the story.

As a lead que while I a, flattered that you are interested in what we do there isn't all that much excitement in announcing to Pit adman " Match 17 is starting get ready to que up match 19." all the action is pretty much in front of you anyways so there are no BIG SECRETS to discover out there really. At least from the competition. I can't say the same for the teams.

[dellagd]

Well, I can say that I wasnt interested in secrets big time, really it was just a way for me to stay informed with my team, as it always seems someone is asking what match it is! Maybe now you can see my point now. As im sure you guys know, it can be kindof hard to hear in the noisy pits. With an earpiece I would be forceing myself to listen!

"What match is it?"

"Match 15 just went onto the field"



"Are we queing yet?"

"In two matches, they just went and got the teams for match 7"


What kind of radio's do they use?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by dellagd

Well, I can say that I wasnt interested in secrets big time, really it was just a way for me to stay informed with my team, as it always seems someone is asking what match it is! Maybe now you can see my point now.

What kind of radio's do they use?

Sundial. How I wish that program was still being used. The problem is, the ban on teams setting up wireless networks keeps it down.

You can also pay attention to the pit announcements, have people in the stands tell you what match just went, wait for queuing volunteers to come get you, or just send a couple people to queuing about 3 matches before yours is to start. At the Championship, you're responsible for making your matches--there are no pit announcements.

Oh, and there is often a screen in the pits for the matches.

[dellagd]

You're responsible for making your matches

Well yeah, that was the purpose of my question!

Could you elaborate on "Sundial"? What is this and how does it relate to teams not being able to set up wireless networks.

Also, I'm assuming that rule also encompasses bluetooth, right?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by dellagd

Well yeah, that was the purpose of my question!

Could you elaborate on "Sundial"? What is this and how does it relate to teams not being able to set up wireless networks.

Sundial was a network-based application where you entered your team number and got realtime status updates on the match progress. The problem was that you needed someone to setup the network, usually a team.

[Tommy F.]

If it's matches that you want to keep up with, FRC Spyder, a free mobile app for iOS and Android devices does a pretty fair job of keeping you updated on matches.

If you have a signal in the arena, that is.

It uses the twitter feeds from the FMS to keep track of scores and matches, and updates very quickly. You may want to look into going that route.

I found it extremely useful during Regionals and Championships, since it also shows the rankings and match times.

[dellagd]

What kind of radio's do they use?

So basically I should give up on this because:

a) I is most likely illegal, even if I use something like a scanner

b) the radio use is inconsistent

c) there are easier (albeit less instant gratification) solutions (even though it would be nicer to get this in audio)