Hey guys,
The good news is we will be using the AMA National Enduro series transponders to score the ride. The bad news is that each rider will have to put up a $30 cash security at sign up. After the race, you will get your $30 back when you turn in the transponder. I just found out about this and thought I better warn as many riders as possible.
Teddy
Hi Teddy,
Are these transponders locked onto your bike from start to finish ?
Could team members swap them ? Just curious...:)
I really, really, really wish I could be there to join you all. It's always the best riding event of the year.
Have fun - I know you will.
Bob
Hi all,
Below is info about how and where the transponders will need to be mounted to read correctly.
Dave McCullough
TTR
The transponders are hard plastic cylinders about the size of a fat cigar (3/4" diameter, about 5" long). They need to be mounted at least 3" away from metal, and horizontal (think like your handlebars). The best place to mount them is on the front of your chest protector or attached to your camelback strap that goes across your chest. If a guy wears an under the jersey chest protector, it can be mounted on that and will read thru the jersey just fine. I highly recommend using zip ties to mount them, although duct tape could work too as long as it was a REALLY good tape job. If the rider doesn't wear a chest protector, then the transponder could be mounted on a plastic number plate or plastic front fender, again making sure the transponder is mounted horizontally and away from metal. I suppose duct tape could work in this scenario, but again, I don't trust it and highly recommend multiple zip ties. Another alternative is in your camelback in the bottom of the pouch that holds the bladder, but again, it must be shoved all the way down to the bottom so that it will stay horizontal. This is not an option if the rider is wearing a fanny pack full of tools or if the camelback has tools in it. Even though we say keep them away from metal, I've had guys mount them with bailing wire. Using this mounting method is a 100% guarantee that the transponder will not read at all.
To recap: Transponder MUST be mounted horizontally and parallel to your handlebars. Transponder MUST be kept at least 3" away from any major metal parts. Transponders SHOULD be mounted with zip ties. Duct tape can be used but is not recommended as the primary holding mechanism.
Anyone who swaps out a transponder with a buddy will be found out very easily. When they pass the antenna at a checkpoint their bike number shows up on the display. If the bike number on the display doesn't match the bike number on the bike, you have a cheater on your hands.
I posted this one the Vinduro group but am looking for ideas from folks that would work on mounting the transponder. I suspect they will be used again and would like to have a quick reliable and easy way to comply chuckle chuckle!!!!
Dave, Teddy
For some of us that dont use a camel back or chest protector , what would be a good mounting? 5 inches horizontal and 3 " off any metal surface could be a poser . Maybe a stand off , plastic , on the front # plate? Front fender mounting would put it at risk and the 3 " clearance makes it hard to do anywhere on a 60 or 70's bike.
Last year there were several old type, set in their ways ( me included chuckle chuckle ) enduro riders that did not have the body armor or the canteen on their back.
I have a year to figure something out for next years RR, but i bet this will be a scramble for some of the riders that show up.
Is the transponders ant horizontally polarized?
If it is can the receive ant. , that is used to read the transponder , be rotated so its ant. is vertically polarized? If that could be done the transponders would be a whole lot easier to mount.
Trying to help with this Dave not resist or complain. This late it would have made me spend some time in the garage trying to figure out how to pull this off. I would bet there are more than a few others in that boat now.
John ( wishing he could be their ) D.
John,
I really don't know anything about the transponders so I asked the guy scoring the race a few basic questions that I figured the riders would like to know ahead of time. I posted the info he sent me. We'll need to study up for next year if this works well for us.
Dave McCullough