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OXFORD MOTOR CLUB |
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OXFORD MOTOR CLUB |
The frequency that we are using is that licensed by The Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Asssociation Ltd [MSA] as it's Safety and Medical frequency. This title sums up the frequency's main use. We are at rallies to assist stage commanders and clerks of the course to establish that their stages are safe to run, and, if things do go wrong, to get them the information that they need to solve the problems that they face.
The MSA produce an operational guide for "Radios on Motor Sporting Events." It is obtainable free of charge from Colnbrook, and you should ring either Andrea Wren, or Tony Newsum, on [01753] 681736 [or fax on [01753] 682938] to request that a copy be sent.
The Sets
Your radio comes to you with a loudspeaker fixed to it's case, the microphone dangling, and an aerial to connect up. It should be sited in the vehicle where the speaker is not covered, where you can reach the controls, and the microphone must be within easy reach for use. Microphones must be left [or hung] where the "press to talk" button cannot be accidentally depressed. Once the button is pressed, no-one else can talk, and the whole network quickly grinds to a halt. Please be particularly vigilant on this matter. The radios do not like excessive heat, so should not be placed on a dashboard on a sunny day.
The [magnet mounted] aerial should be positioned on the vehicle's roof. Theory states that it is best sited in the centre of the roof, but experience prompts me to state that it is more important to keep it at least an aerial's length away from any other aerial - the normal car radio [which must stay switched off whilst you are on duty with the 86 set], or a car telephone. The aerial cable should then be routed through the vehicle, avoiding sharp edges, and squeezing the cable as it passes in through doors, hatchbacks etc. and then connected to the radio's aerial lead. Push the two connectors together, and then tighten the securing ring.
The power cable should then be run to the car battery [again avoid crimping, and / or sharp edges. It is vital that the connections are made correctly. Red or Brown to the positive [+ve] side of the battery, black or blue to the negative [-ve]. Connecting these sets the wrong way round means the set has to be returned to a radio engineer, opened up and repaired - expensive - you have been warned!
You can now switch your set on. As long as you do not depress the "press to talk" button on the microphone, your radio will pick up incoming calls and you should listen to all of these as it will give you an idea as to what is going on elsewhere in the rally. Particularly listen for messages from Control. You will only talk to Control, so it is important that you should be able to hear Control adequately. If the signal from Control is poor, you should try moving your car a few feet. It is surprising just how a little movement can affect signal strength.
The Radio Check
Early in the day, Control will call you in the course of his radio check of your stage. The conversation should run something like this:
"Oxford 12 from Oxford Control, Radio Check. Over"
"Oxford Control from Oxford 12. In Location at Junction 6 [or wherever you are], receiving you loud and clear [or describe how the transmission is received]. Over"
"Thank you for that, Oxford 12. Out to you"
Note how transmissions are always started by the caller stating the other call sign first [to wake up the other operator] followed by his own call sign. This way Control knows who he is talking to every time!
The Running of the Stage, and the Check Sheet
You need to park at your allocated junction in such a place that you can see the numbers of cars as they pass. However, you must park where it is safe to do so, the MSA's insurance only cover vehicles that park thirty yards back from the track! If you do get put in a place where you cannot park safely, or see the track, contact Control for advice.
A major part of rally radio work is keeping an accurate check sheet of car movements past your location. To this end, you fill in a check sheet similar to the one enclosed. You write down the numbers of cars as they pass you, in order in the blank grid, and strike through their numbers as they pass you in the "bingo card" below. This will allow you to quickly build up a record of which cars have passed, and in which order. If a car goes missing, Control can come to you, and you should be able to tell him if the car in question has gone past.
For example:
"Oxford 12 from Oxford Control, has car 32 passed you? Over"
"Oxford Control from Oxford 12 - Yes it has, six cars ago, Over". Adding in the detail about how many cars ago really helps Control to get an idea what's going on.
If no cars go missing, and no-one asks you any questions, you simply carry on filling in your check sheets, and monitor all radio traffic that you can hear. A good operator listens to all messages. News of a car stopped elsewhere on the rally could be relevant on your stage, if a search is instigated by someone less vigilant than yourself. You must also listen for Control to announce that he is "Clear", before calling in. On a multi-venue rally, you are unlikely to hear all other mobiles, and if you have not been listening, you might think that Control is quiet, when he is actually listening to a transmission from another stage. If you then call in, Control hears two messages together - i.e. nothing!
You will be the first in your area to hear of delays and problems, and if that information is needed by marshals in your location - let them have it. The radio operator should be part of the team on each location - you can only be part of the team if you speak to the people around you.
You must also get into the habit of running your engine, I would suggest, every ninety minutes or so. The radios draw a surprising amount of current, particularly when transmitting, and running the engine prevents flattening the battery - the sets themselves stop working properly at only slight voltage drops.
Incidents
Normally, when you pass messages to and from Control, you do not need to emphasise your calls. Things like cars breaking down, or stopping to repair punctures should be reported, but do not require emphasised calls. However, should situations arise that involve safety matters, there are three prefixes to messages that should be used.
Safety: For messages reporting problems that might lead to an accident, such as arrows being removed during a stage, or spectators gathering in dangerous places.
Urgent: For messages reporting problems of a serious nature which may involve, or are likely to lead to personal injury, such as a non-competing car on stage, or sight of an accident in which you feel people could have been hurt.
Priority: For reporting situations where you believe personal injury has been sustained.
For Example:
"Oxford Control from Oxford 12, Urgent, Over"
"All other mobiles wait out, go ahead with your Urgent, Oxford 12. Over."
"There is a non-competing car on stage going wrong direction from Junction 6. Over"
Control will then deal with the matter, and all other mobiles must wait out, unless they have a situation of equal gravity. Once the incident is over Control will announce that the Urgent is stood down, and normal messages will be accepted once more.
It is vital that you man your radio at all times. If you must leave it unattended for any reason, let Control know.
The End of the Day
You will receive messages through Control of the closing arrangements for your stage. Pass these messages to marshals in your location and, please, help them to clear up the immediate vicinity by stacking cones, tyres, arrows etc. in piles for later collection.
When removing your radio, switch off first, disconnect the power lead, undo the aerial, and, please, coil and tie [or tape] leads neatly. This makes transporting the radios and aerials easier, but, more importantly, it saves possible damage to cables and connections - you may be the next to use the set!
Simon Marks
31/03/96
[revised 11/06/99]