THSCC Forums

I leave my radio on during my runs, but turned down a few clicks so that it doesn't distract me while driving. Then after the finish I just bump the volume up and I can easily hear the announcement (if there is one).

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Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

Actually, my suggestion to adjust the volume on the bus was assuming we had this capability in place. I think cone calls are an important feedback loop. Especially before we implement a separate volume control, I think the idea of a limited vocabulary for the announcer is a good idea.

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

I think that it depends on what the announcer's job is.

Is it to talk to the drivers or to the spectators?

Well crafted announcing works well for both audiences (Teague). Less than well crafted announcing irritates many (Melton).

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

i agree with rob, we should have someone help the announcer by keeping track of cone calls, anyone can see the time on the box, its wondering if you hit a cone or not that really matters. I'll help do it if need be. plus it is nice when you are in the pits or on grid to hear how your opponents are doing

Thanks Wes

On Saturday annocing from the Stairs that were in the field I could see most of the course, and was able to usually let you know if you hit at least one cone, when I first started I was by the bus and I could not see the course at all, and I did not have a radio, to hear any cone calls. I would love to have an annocers station, I have my own laptop with a wireless card, and I have and extrat wireless hub sitting around, I would be glad to give the wireless hub to the club for use and will bring my laptop for use by anyone announcing.
I do announce with the idea that spectators are listening to me, but I know that the drivers want to know if they hit cones or not, having and announcers station would help me do both even better .

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David Teague
2015 Lexus IS 250c
1994 Honda Del Sol HS 39
2009 Dodge Journey R/T
http://teaguefamily.us

Me too. I just cranked it up and hit "mute" on my Alpine and then after finishing, hit the mute again to hear cone calls just to make sure I'm not getting too happy about a time that I'm seeing on the clock.

As far as the new announcer goes, well, I now know what the mating call of the Red Cardinal is.

in Randy's defense he does repeat the times at least once at the end of each run. the oompah loompah song, well, you decide if you like it.

I think everyone knows by now that I consider the announcers job an essential one. I have announced for other clubs where the announcer had access to the computer screen either by position or announcer's station, and found it was much appreciated where I could not just read times off the scoreboard (if it's well placed that's almost not necessary) but could also announce if the run included penalties, if the run was quicker/slower than his previous/the class leader's run. I could read the competitors name, not just his car # with his times which is a help for those following along to know if it was their time/penalty or someone elses and if that was their competitor's time or someone in another class with the same car #. I don't know about anyone else but I don't memorize everyone elses car # especially if it's someone new, and if only a time is announced I don't know who's time it is for sure even if I am listening to the radio in grid.
I don't mind the announcer "filling dead air" during breaks and lulls, but non-event chatter should be kept to a minimum while cars are running.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

it was hot, it was a long weekend, and it rained on us.

what i remember was most of Randy's more colorful stuff was during lulls in the action. either i tuned it out or i turned it off i don't remember. but the man is funny. albeit sometimes obscure.

i too, enjoy David Teagues personal twist on announcing. and as he seems to desire the job, i say sign him up. hell, award season points for participation.

i personally am more concerned with woaing the car down at the end of a run and usually miss my score on both the display and the announcement. but i greatly appreciate the efforts of announcers to get me my times. Dianne Melton is an excellent announcer IMHO and no one so far has acknowledged that fact.

the more i participate in these events the more i fail to notice those things that might distract me. but once the rush is over and the enviroment swells back in, i would hate for that enviroment to be sterile.

i do this for fun. but don't be mistaken, i want to win, i want to do the best i can. but if i can't get a good laugh at some point over the course of a weekend i am wasting my time and everyone elses.

like so many other things in life, any announcer is better than not gettin' any at all.

My four bits:

1) It would be nice to disable the bus-top speakers during the heats. Another set of remote speakers near the finish line or grid can serve to communicate results to the drivers.

2) Cone penalties are not entered into the computer instantly. It sometimes takes a while, due to any number of reasons. So equipping the announcer with a wireless laptop (ignoring the sunlight washing out the display) may not be the answer. We need a complex series of mirrors to enable the announcer to see over the raw sheet worker's shoulder

3) Cars with fancy retractable antennaes should be bumped to the next level of preparation, due to the aerodynamic advantage they enjoy. Seriously, there are any number of reasons why drivers can't hear the radio broadcast ... power antennaes, harnesses that keep them from reaching the volume control, insufficient wire wool in the exhaust, and plain old adrenaline.

4) I think Randy should announce as often as possible. Anything to mess with his concentration....

Do it, and I will take a look at it.

- dow

On a techinical note.

I noticed that while I was doing T&S on Sunday, the timing display would not show the correct time in a certain situation for tenths of a sec. For example, If a driver got a 79.590, the display would show 79.990. The announcer would read the time off the display which was sometime incorrect.

I don't know if this has happened in the past or what the history is on the equipment, but I thought I would point it out.

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GS - 17 Honda Civic Si
STS - 91 Honda Civic Si
S04 - 00 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS

http://www.kestrelracing.com

One of the "lights" in the display on one side is out. The side facing the announcer was correct.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.