WCCDs - WTH?

[TexDoc]

The MO guidelines are much less restrictive than what we have in TX.  The equipment we are forced to use will be in excess of $1,000 to $1,200 for a crew of 5.  That severely limits who will be willing to spring for one of these systems.  Since we use NCAA rules, I think our high school organization wants to identically enforce the same rules those guys are following.

[TexDoc]

If you are not limited to specific technology (spread spectrum, full duplex, band requirements, etc) these are about the most bullet proof little radios you can get.  These are made in and ship from China.  As a ham radio operator, I have a handful of these and they are very good radios.  They can broadcast in VHF and UHF bands, have CTCSS codes, and have a wide range of mics and antennas available.  The batteries are rechargeable and they all come with drop-in chargers.  You can get extra rechargeable batteries very cheap as well as weather proof cases.  In this ebay post, the radios alone are about $25 apiece from China, about 1/4 the price you can find in the US.  You do need to make sure the frequency you use is not one that conflicts with other uses.  There is also another radio of this same brand that sell for about $15 apiece but you have to program them with a computer via USB connection. 

htp://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-Baofeng-UV-5R-V-UHF-136-174-400-520M-Dual-Band-Two-wHam-Radio-Transceiver-/141683736764?hash=item20fd0240bc:g:6qgAAOSwRQlXe3fr

[TxSkyBolt]

Doc

Several local crews are already using cheap radios and have given the hand to TASO. I'd do the same if I could turn back time. There are ow at least 2 Div II, 1 Div 1 FCS, and 1 Div 1 FBS that are using the same $40 dollar unencrypted walkie-talkies.


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[TexDoc]

Yeah, I expect TASO to change the policy.  They are worried that someone with a scanner will find the frequency and monitor it.  OK, #1, so what.  It isn't college ball.  #2, you can use a frequency that's very hard to find. 

The benefits of using this equipment outweigh the slight risk someone will monitor the discussions.  I would highly suggest no one use the cheap FRS radios.  They are very easy to monitor and way too many people use them. 

[copedaddy]

So Doc, do these radios (the you mentioned on EBay) fill the bill for basic crew communications? What is the range on these? Are they simple line of sight or can they be picked up outside the stadium?
If these or any system, is being used for basic crew communications,  foul calls, who cares if someone is dropping in?
Now if you are spotting blondes in the bleachers, that may be a different story.

[TexDoc]

Cope, these do not meet current TASO standards so they cannot be used.  I was just suggesting the guys in other states without such stringent requirements use them because they are very good and very inexpensive.  If one goes out, heck, they are cheap enough to have several spares.  They operate up to 5W with the stock battery and up to 7.5W (I think) with the larger batteries.  You can set these in low power and get a stub antenna for more attenuation even since the crew is in such close proximity.  In other words, there is more than enough power, way more, on high. 

As always, you have to be careful what you say.  Speak as though the entire world is listening. 

[HLinNC]

As always, you have to be careful what you say.  Speak as though the entire world is listening. 

I think that is the major issue with some groups not allowing them.  99% of the officials would utilize them as a useful tool.  Then there's that one guy..........

[TexDoc]

We went with Moto 1020.  Expensive little suckers but they are approved by our state org.

[TxSkyBolt]

So TASO backed off the full-duplex requirement?  Good.

[TexDoc]

No, they didn't Brad. 

[TxSkyBolt]

They should. That's what driving the high costs. No reason to need full duplex.


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[TexDoc]

Agree completely!!!!

[bpittman]

Doc, is your crew currently using the Moto 1020?

[TexDoc]

We did in the last game.  Had a couple of issues.  Spread spectrum synchronization can be a  problem is one radio loses contact.  Resyncing by turning radio on and off sometimes works, but many times everyone has to turn theirs off and then on again and then someone transmit. 

It was a great experience.  I hope to never have to officiate without radios again.