The scanner mega-thread

[fazza]

Originally Posted by Nexus

Oh don't be so pathetic and patronising,

Please step away from that loaded post................

[haystacks]

well said Fazza, Black X has his opinion and every right to say what he thinks.
BUT I find scanners very helpful on curcuits.
I have been asked to remove mine, so asked for a transfer to another post, which was duly granted. Both of us then happy.

[bludvl_x19]

Damn, and to think that I was going to bite.

Mick

[The Fat Clerk]

On the rare occasion I'm out Observing on Post I actively encourage my team to know what's happening. At Mallory yesterday I texted my Mrs who was on Race Phones to find out what the changed frequency was.

[Nexus]

Originally Posted by haystacks

Black X has his opinion and every right to say what he thinks.

Yup, he certainly does and so does everyone else, including me. I respect black X's opinion as much as everyone elses, but don't have to agree with it. I do have a nasty habbit of posting exactly how I feel, No harm meant but I won't sit with a fake smile on my face when something riles me.

I suppose I had better give my POV really. Like everyone else says, you don't react on scanner information. I understand and respect that 100%

In my opinion they are handy to have, even if it's to know if a certain race has a green flag lap or not, Example: This sunday it was pretty confusing because of the different race series running and before each session race control confirmed over the radio the race duration and if there was a green flag lap or not, No messing about on the phones.

As for constantly messing about with the thing in your pocket: I set the volume at a reasonable level, Lock the frequency, bury it in a pocket underneath my probans and leave it well alone and If I HAVE to adjust it I wait until a session is finished. Much the same as I wouldn't smoke or use my mobile phone during a race.

Originally Posted by haystacks

I have been asked to remove mine, so asked for a transfer to another post, which was duly granted. Both of us then happy.

A perfect and diplomatic solution, I'll certainly remember that one.

[M Greenslade]

I texted my Mrs who was on Race Phones to find out what the changed frequency was.

Yup I had to scan thro as well to find 170.050 and I was only spectating, is that a new frequency to the 750MC or what?

Bladders

[Dave Brand]

A scanner is just another tool, one which helps me to do a better job.

...and I do act on what I hear on my scanner! If I've got a big incident (don't get many of those!), if I hear that the race has been red flagged, I'll hold back from trying to clear the incident until the red flag is actually displayed at my post - the safe option. Anyone who's had an injured driver needing medics or the rescue unit will know that it's much more comforting for both driver & marshal to be able to say that help is on its way rather than just saying that you've signalled for assistance - possibly the situation in which a scanner is most useful.

All things being equal, I'll always try to pair up my incident team so that at least one in each pair has a scanner; keeps them informed, makes my job easier.

[roys1]

To throw a spanner in the works...

I would not have a problem with most marshals having a scanner and knowing what is going on.. BUT there are some marshals that find out information (via scanner OR other means) and openly tell the world about it.. including a marshal that sent messages to a TV company of problems going on..

[Justin Moran]

@ Faz, you wouldnt be safe in the Hills either mate they are connected to the piece I rolling on i.e. Planet Earth!

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

On the rare occasion I'm out Observing on Post I actively encourage my team to know what's happening. At Mallory yesterday I texted my Mrs who was on Race Phones to find out what the changed frequency was.

Ah you missed the general broadcast at 09:30 telling us all that we had moved to 173:050 then?

[The Fat Clerk]

Message didn't get to Post 6.
The reason for the change of frequency was that Julian the C of Course felt there was to much inteference on the MSA channel @ Mallory.

[TFHarv]

Originally Posted by roys1

To throw a spanner in the works...

I would not have a problem with most marshals having a scanner and knowing what is going on.. BUT there are some marshals that find out information (via scanner OR other means) and openly tell the world about it.. including a marshal that sent messages to a TV company of problems going on..

See this to me makes no sense at all - if a TV company cant afford to buy a frequency scanner for several hundred pounds that monitors all the channels and can even bleep out swear words automatically then they cant be a highly viewed station.

If I was press going to report on a race meeting I would certainly take a scanner with me?

Why is it such a taboo to tell someone what you hear on an open frequency???

If it is confidential it should be encrypted.

I know its probably bad form to most people (me included), blurting out what is heard on scanners, but its surely a more personal taboo as " If I overheard that on a scanner I wouldn't go telling other people what I heard " as an opinion rather than telling them they are banned from marshaling at their post.

[AndyT]

After using a scanner for the first time yesterday, I can see the benefits of one.

At the PMC meeting at Silverstone, I know for a fact that the Chief Marshal will not be objecting to the use of scanners. I will take mine with me anytime I leave Race Control.

[Fireblade]

Originally Posted by C9/89

Just thinking the same thing Mark! Besides some of us have Marine VHF Licences so we are authoirised to listen in to those frequencies!

Of course Cap'n Haddock.
That was your trawler I saw at Mallory I presume?

[Justin Moran]

Well there was this lake see and well I just couldnt help meself......

[thepits!]

Originally Posted by AndyT

After using a scanner for the first time yesterday, I can see the benefits of one.
At the PMC meeting at Silverstone, I know for a fact that the Chief Marshal will not be objecting to the use of scanners. I will take mine with me anytime I leave Race Control.

Oh thats good - so if I want to know whats going on, i'll ask you

oh no, hang on, you said "anytime you leave race control" - damn

[mattt]

Originally Posted by thepits!

Oh thats good - so if I want to know whats going on, i'll ask you

oh no, hang on, you said "anytime you leave race control" - damn

or me, i'll have myn with me, i mite let you borrow it


must restrain from making comment about leaving race control

(physically restrains myself)



managed it

(breathes a sigh of relief)

[thepits!]

ahum - mattt, if that was a dig....?

When was the last time you saw me hiding in race control? I'll answer that

Never!


(mind you the pit-office is a totally different thing - remember "I don't do Rain")


So wtf am i doing running the pits at Anglesey for MSVR?


.

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by thepits!

So wtf am i doing running the pits at Anglesey for MSVR?

You'll be aware that at Anglesey you will be THE Pit Marshal and will also double up as the Startline Marshal as well!

[thepits!]

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

You'll be aware that at Anglesey you will be THE Pit Marshal and will also double up as the Startline Marshal as well!

I may well be THE Pit Marshal, but I'm certainly not the Startline Marshal - as MSVR have organised a chief one of those as well.

and if he/she is really desperate, Piglet will offer her help


Seriously, We're hoping that all the usual marshals come and help us 'novices'

[Woolley]

Well, since I don't have one I can be fairly inependent.

I can see blackx's point re hill climbs. Generally the I/O has a radio which is either audible to those on post or can be passed on quickly and easily, so there generally isn't a need IMO. Having said that, it doesn't worry me if someone has one, only if they're paying more attention to it than what's on track. In the end, if someone's obviously distracted by it then I would ask them to refrain from using it. If they're not, then fine.

On a circuit they're much more useful as information often doesn't get through either fully or partially. They also alert you to a situation you may need to react to so that you can be prepared. The more I flag, the more I think one would be useful. As others have said, it's for information only.

[AndyT]

Originally Posted by thepits!

Oh thats good - so if I want to know whats going on, i'll ask you

oh no, hang on, you said "anytime you leave race control" - damn

Don't need it race control, there is TVs and radio in there any way it's not going to rain on the 27th, it might precipitate a little.

[thepits!]

(at Woolley)



And, especially remember this bit!

Originally Posted by Woolley

As others have said, it's for information only.

[mattt]

Simon

not a dig at you was restraining from making a comment about dad

[Norbert]

I remember the days when marshals' final instructions included 'no cameras, mobile phones and scanners on duty'.

In recent years scanners have been removed from the list so even the MSA and organising clubs recognise the benefits of them!

(Retires to safe distance!)