B1.  ORGANISERS' CHOICES

1.1 EQUIPMENT

Although the MSA's regulations do not currently require their use on all events; radios are considered to be an invaluable aid to Organisers.  The current regulations on the choice of radio equipment and frequencies are as follows:

1. That it operates on the MSA's own Safety and Medical Frequency if it is to be used in connection with the safety of the event.

2. That it operates on other properly licensed private frequencies for non safety related matters and then only when it is certain that the planned frequency is secure.  Hire, demonstration and amateur radio frequencies MUST NOT be used for safety purposes and if used for administrative purposes Organisers must remember that any other licensed user, including Competitors, may have every right to use that Frequency.

3. An ABSOLUTE rejection of any equipment operating on any legal (or illegal) 'open channel' for any purpose connected with the safety or administration of the event.

4. That, which ever choice is taken, the equipment used conforms to the latest RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY regulations.

1.2  FREQUENCIES.

1. GENERAL

An Organiser has the choice of utilising the MSA's own frequency or using other suitably licensed private frequencies on his/her event.  Subject, of course, to the equipment meeting RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY specification and being properly licensed, and being sufficiently private to the organisers with no likelihood of its use by Competitors or other licensed users.

Clubs who are invited on event to operate a Stage or other area should be aware of the frequency used to control the event and make provision to communicate on this frequency.  To ensure the correct flow of information the controlling frequency must be regarded as the prime frequency.  Alternative frequencies in use should therefore handle messages of a secondary nature.

However, it should be borne in mind that all licensed Rally Safety Vehicles carry radios on the MSA frequency as do many Doctors and Paramedics.  It will be essential that you are in a position to communicate with this group of people.

For information, Competitors are likely to use 172 and 167.2 MHz, any many frequencies around 169 MHz, therefore these frequencies should be avoided.

Whether using the MSA's frequency or a private set, the disciplined use of radio is vital.

As an Organiser you should ensure that the sets are acquired from suitable Private Mobile Radio (PMR) Equipment dealers and set up by them.  Also ensure that all the sets that you are to use are compatible, it is only a token gesture to safety if on two stages you have different frequencies and no method of linking their operation.

The MSA's frequency is FM (F3).

It is important to ensure that when hiring equipment the compatibility aspect is understood, 81.5750 FM cannot talk direct to 81.5750 AM.

2. OPEN CHANNEL

Whether AM or FM this equipment must NOT be used for safety or administrative work, by the mere fact that it is 'open channel' it means that potentially serious messages can be overheard, it also has the capacity to be misused; false messages can be transmitted perhaps causing delays in running an event which may work to the advantages of certain Competitors or other mischievous persons.

It may be that an Organiser sees some general 'chatty' role for an 'open channel' frequency in a general sense, but do not trust messages in any administrative control situation.

Some Organisers prohibit the use of CB by Competitors on stage rallies because of the danger of interference both on its own frequencies and to automatic timing devices.

3. POSITIVE REPORTING

Where a positive reporting system is to be used on an event, consideration should be given to establishing a link between this system and the Safety & Medical Communications system. A correctly operated positive reporting system has the potential to augment the Safety & Medical communications by the way of providing information relating to missing competitors.

Not forming this link is denying an event an additional safety feature

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B 2. PLANNED USE

Whether using the MSA Safety & Medical Frequency or an alternative communication system, organisers are recommended to engage the services of an experienced Regional Radio Co-ordinator or a Licensed Radio Controller at an early stage in the planning of an event.  He/she will be able to advise on the suitability and compatibility of the radio equipment which is available.

It is only a token gesture to safety if, on two stages you have different frequencies and no way of linking them, similarly, beware of the incompatibility of AM and FM sets, even though they are on the same frequency - the MSA Safety and Medical Frequency is for FM.

Remember that all MSA permitted events where a radio scheme is employed MUST us an MSA licensed Controller.

B 3. STAFFING

It is the responsibility of the Event Safety Officer to ensure that at each stage has at least the minimum radio safety coverage (refer to MSA Competitors & Officials Yearbook 2008 – aka blue book – Section H 136.5) This he/she will carry out in consultation with each Stage Commander and the Regional Radio Co-ordinator or Licensed Radio Controller.

It should be remembered that the approved MSA Radio Co-ordinator will also be in a position to tell you which of  the marshalling clubs have radios, how many, their call signs and their experience.  He/she will be able to find the additional radio coverage where it is needed and most importantly find the experienced people you will need to operate your control(s).

 

He/she will also be able to advise on any potential communications problems your planned event route may present and be able to offer solutions to these potential problems.

B 4 MAINTENANCE & TESTING

You are reminded that regular maintenance of licensed radio equipment is a requirement of retaining the MSA authorisation to use the Safety & Medical Frequency.

It is advisable, therefore, to have a planned maintenance schedule for all radio equipment covered under your sub licence in order that each piece of equipment undergoes at least one service during each twelve month period.

Beware of equipment that is under used. Try to rotate the use of sets to avoid long dormant periods.

In use monitoring of the operational qualities of each radio will provide indications towards possible future problems.

Genuine testing of equipment is covered under the terms of the licence. Most sets will be ‘bench tested’ during normal maintenance, however field testing is also recommended in order to check ancillaries such as cables and aerials, but this should not be exploited.

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