I can't hear...!

[tsanterre]

...anything in the pits!

Somebody told me that you could tune into a radio station to pick up the PA announcements? Any truth to that...?

What about a CB Radio or CB Scanner?

Other than pitting right next to the garages, or continuing to rely on the guy next to me to know what's going on... is there a way to hear all the announcements when you are out in the infield?

I try just watching who is out on the track and following the schedule, but it's hard to do when the schedule gets screwed up, and I'm running around doing 10 other things.

[Doc]

You can tune a scanner to get the calls from Race control and the corner workers.

There has been an FM radio broadcast in the past, not sure if it is still happening and honestly i can't remember either radio freq.

[mzdagrl]

You can tune a scanner to get the calls from Race control and the corner workers.

There has been an FM radio broadcast in the past, not sure if it is still happening and honestly i can't remember either radio freq.

I do believe there is still an FM broadcast, but I don't know what station it is. As for the scanners, Race Control tries to stay aware of the problems with the PA system, and will frequently "echo" first, second and final call for the races so that those with scanners know what is going on. You can get cheap effective scanners at Radio Shack or on Ebay (or ask around, someone may have one they are not using).

[Doc]

I know Chris (13 here on the forum) knows the scanner and radio freqs.

[Jaynnus]

154.570

[tsanterre]

Thanks for the input.

So looks like CB Scanner might be the way to go?

Can anybody confirm that they still broadcast on an FM station? If so, then I don't need to buy a scanner. If not, then I'll post up and see if anybody has one for sale.

As for the scanners, Race Control tries to stay aware of the problems with the PA system, and will frequently "echo" first, second and final call for the races so that those with scanners know what is going on...

So Race Control will sometimes echo the calls for races but not all the time? How about practices?

[Jaynnus]

Thanks for the input.

So looks like CB Scanner might be the way to go?

Can anybody confirm that they still broadcast on an FM station? If so, then I don't need to buy a scanner. If not, then I'll post up and see if anybody has one for sale.



So Race Control will sometimes echo the calls for races but not all the time? How about practices?

not too often, but you can keep track as they are calling the races. They always communicate when the half way flag comes out, etc.

You can get a hand held at Radio Shack

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2501194

[Doc]

On scanners. I found mine was not loud enough. I suggest headphones or auxillary speakers in your pit.

[PinHead]

My Rigid job site radio has a race scanner in it. If you know anyone that has one it is pretty loud.

[Woodcraft]

There is talk that at some point the track will be posting up race calls on the big scoreboard.....I hope that comes to fruition this season.

[tsanterre]

There is talk that at some point the track will be posting up race calls on the big scoreboard.....I hope that comes to fruition this season.

I thought about that when I saw it going up on Friday... would be sick!

Would be cool to post grid positions, and have calls for practice as well.

One can dream right..?

[zx1012r]

The track always asks us not to bash them on the forums, but.........

In the nine seasons I have been racing and staying in Center (South) garages, maybe 2 of those years the speakers have actually worked. And the radio, HA! Seems like such a simple thing, but this is one stumbling block they seem to have given up on.

A scanner is your only reliable tool to guage when your practices/races are coming up.

Mark Dages 454

[tsanterre]

The track always asks us not to bash them on the forums, but.........

In the nine seasons I have been racing and staying in Center (South) garages, maybe 2 of those years the speakers have actually worked. And the radio, HA! Seems like such a simple thing, but this is one stumbling block they seem to have given up on.

A scanner is your only reliable tool to guage when your practices/races are coming up.

Mark Dages 454

Agreed. Anybody that pits in the infield (esp closer to the main entrance) knows that you can't hear anything ever, and you have to rely on asking around / watching for somebody else in your group to start going, or missing the first lap of every practice.

So you use a scanner...Do they announce practices?

Seems like even with a scanner it's 50/50 on whether you will hear your practice / race announced...?

Just trying to find a better way to be able to hear what's going on / when my practice / race starts, schedule changes, etc.

Really wish we could get the PA system to work in the infield.

[Doc]

Scanner works dude.

That is all we had the last couple years when the speakers are not working. (I bet they work for Nascrap)

[union]

There is talk that at some point the track will be posting up race calls on the big scoreboard.....I hope that comes to fruition this season.

That would be cool but Id just be happy with a PA system that worked when it was needed to. Last year we got very little in the center garages until trophies came out and then we went deaf. I know they put a lot of work into it but I cant see how its that hard to get it to function.

[Fitz]

FM transmitter wasn't working at the last event and even the PA was sketchy on Friday in the garages. Best bet is a scanner to listen into control and the corner stations until they start using the new board to announce races and such. Haven't heard anything about the board at any of the drivers meeting yet.

It's not hard to understand why there aren't many spectators who aren't directly related to the racers. "Here... come to my multi million dollar race track so you can sit on a set of bleachers that overlooks 1-2 turns and watch bikes drive by." There's no way for them to understand who's in first in what class, who passed who, who just biffed a set of tires, etc unless it happens directly in front of them. The excitement is limited to what they can see. Sure, we get excited about it but that's because we spent all night helping to piece together so-and-so's bike and now he's out there kicking a$$.

Props to the track for offering up package deals in order to get 30 person group rides to show up. The food, the primo seating, etc all sounds great. I hope to hell the PA system works in the suite though or else they'll simply be watching a bunch of really small motorcycles ride around through glass. Talk about feeling detached from what's happening.

Fitz

[R7]

I see nothing has changed sense 2003

[KB]

The PA will be working for Crapcar I can guarantee you that much! I hear that if you stand next to the playground they built for the kids you can hear it.

KB

[Johnny B]

Scanner frequency is 154.570. As for FM.....

[Mustang]

Just trying to find a better way to be able to hear what's going on / when my practice / race starts, schedule changes, etc.

Really wish we could get the PA system to work in the infield.

I've heard that the PA system works just fine when the speaker is up in the booth...but the wireless mic system is what causes the intermittent-ness and lack of volume.

[mzdagrl]

So Race Control will sometimes echo the calls for races but not all the time? How about practices?

Yes. When it is known that the PA isn't working, control echoes calls. Basically, for those using scanners:

Practice -
"Bikes on course Group 1" is first call for group 2 (etc.)
"Two minutes remaining in this session" = second call
"Checkered flag is out" = third and final

Races -
"Bikes on course, race __, AM/EX/NV ____" = first call for the next one
"Copy we are past halfway" = second call
"Checkered flag is out" = third and final

Once you get attuned to the phrases, it will be second nature to listen to the scanner. It isn't rocket science, but it will take some time to retrain yourself.


Rob also just informed me that we have a spare scanner kicking around. $30 if anyone is interested. Uses 4 AAs that we have put in use elsewhere, so you'll have to bring your own. Find us at the track.

[Fitz]

Rob also just informed me that we have a spare scanner kicking around. $30 if anyone is interested. Uses 4 AAs that we have put in use elsewhere, so you'll have to bring your own. Find us at the track.

Dibs on the scanner. Where do you tend to hang out at the track?

Thanks,
Fitz

[mzdagrl]

Dibs on the scanner. Where do you tend to hang out at the track?

Thanks,
Fitz

inside the fence, right as you come into the infield. Best time to find us is Friday night. We have a crappy old camper and a blue mazda 3 (and a grayish grand cherokee)

If we aren't with our stuff, we are either with Heath and those guys, or down in the garages near MotoAddiction or the ECK team.

[Kurlon]

If we aren't with our stuff, we are either with Heath and those guys, or down in the garages near MotoAddiction or the ECK team.

Or at Olive Garden with Clayton and Pete.

I miss Olive Garden with Clayton and Pete and you guys...

[mzdagrl]

Or at Olive Garden with Clayton and Pete.

I miss Olive Garden with Clayton and Pete and you guys...

If Clayton ever came to the track, that might be true