For the last couple of years our local ski team has been considering going with a wireless solution for timing races. There are a number of reasons for going wireless but I don’t want to bore anyone with the details. One of our major concerns has been the possible interference from a number of large RF sources located at the top of the hill near the ski area . We looked at a number of options with the full duplex communications being the biggest problem. We came up with a solution of using a wireless 900 MHZ ethernet bridge and voice over IP (VoIP). After several failures of finding VoIP units that would work, we found a manufacture whose units would do what we looking for. We looked at trying to send start impulses over the wireless ethernet bridge but after a quick bench test, that was discarded since the time delay varied too much due to the nature of IP. Mr. Fred then received an order for the ALGE TED system.
We installed both wireless systems in the fall of 2005 and have used them this season with copper as backup (which was not needed. The ALGE TED system has performed flawlessly as has the VoIP system. We have not lost communications or missed a start at all this year. In addition to this, we used 2.4 GHZ wireless telephone headsets at the starts so the starter is not tied up to a cable. The headsets have worked great and we have had nothing but praise from our starters. For next season we will be expanding our wireless ethernet for other communications and future data requirements. Mr. Fred will have another sale as we will be purchasing a second TED system. If anyone would like more information, please drop me a note and I will be happy to share more information with you. ribspydrmn@juno.com
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