How Loud is YOUR regional

[ZInventor]

throughout the Portland regional, volumes were above 95 dB, and if you were on the field, they were closer to 115 dB.

The highest volume i measured whas when our team got awarded the Rookie All Star award, at which point, the volume was too high for my dB meter (126 is the max)

if you look at the match archive : http://www.bpsepaa.com/video/main.ph...ected&event=13

you can hear us during alliance selections (selected second by alliance 4)

that's just a glimpse of how loud we are...

-Z

[comphappy]

Originally Posted by ZInventor

last year, at the Seattle regional, the readings went above 130dbSPL (the max for my meter) whenever people started stomping on the bleachers... it was, needless to say, earsplittingly loud.

-Z

I am sorry but that was poorly thought out, multiple times another programmer and myself would have to leave the building and program outside. The good news is I don't think there are metal bleachers at Key Arena.

I have a feeling that our robot will be making up for the drop in noise from the stands.
Our shooter takes care our the higher pitch sound, while the conveyor belts take care of the low growl... It is part beast.

[keehun]

It is acceptable to ask the staff there to see if they can turn it down a bit? Team spirit and energy is nice, but in any case, health should be evaluated first. My regional is week six. I don't want to ruin the fun for people but this would really be a health concern...

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by keehun

It is acceptable to ask the staff there to see if they can turn it down a bit? Team spirit and energy is nice, but in any case, health should be evaluated first. My regional is week six. I don't want to ruin the fun for people but this would really be a health concern...

This should definitely be acceptable if you find that the volume is too loud. From what I remember I don't think it was all that bad last year at MN (in Williams where 10,000 Lakes is). If you are really concerned about it you may want to send Regional Planning Committee Chair Mark Lawrence an email before the event to make sure it gets addressed with the DJ and A/V crew. If you don't have his email drop me a PM and I'll get it to you.

[sanddrag]

At San Diego, I had to tell one of the safety advisers that people were going to get permanent hearing damage if the volume of the pit speakers was not reduced. They were placed approximately 15 feet from pit areas, directly adjacent to a main aisleway, and at a volume so loud that I saw several people cover their ears and duck/dodge away any time something was announced over them. Holding any sort of conversation 20 feet away from these speakers was impossible while their was audio on them. I was also concerned for the safety of all the judges sitting directly in front of the cheering section. A hundred screaming kids can pack quite a punch on the eardrums.

I will note that the music, MC, and match announcer levels seemed fine.

[Analog]

Safety is a key element to FIRST. We even play a safety video before the matches. Wearing eye protection is mandatory in any area of the pits. Why is then hearing protection not even mentioned in the video? PPE (personal protective equipment) is a cornerstone of all safety on and off the job. I wear hearing protection at the matches because it is uncomfortable and I get ringing in my ears with loud noises. I think this really needs to be addressed, as it is at odds with some of FIRST's objectives.

[ZakuAce]

We bought thundersticks and put our team number on them, we may be passing a few out at Wisconsin I agree that noise in the pits needs to be regulated, but I think in the stands you should be loud and excited.

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by ZakuAce

We bought thundersticks and put our team number on them, we may be passing a few out at Wisconsin I agree that noise in the pits needs to be regulated, but I think in the stands you should be loud and excited.

Thundersticks have been considered illegal for several years now... see section 3.15.3 of the Competition manual. You can be plenty loud and excited using your voice and hands. No need to use artificial props just to increase the volume.