Why no radio communication in MX?

ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99
Why is radio communication not used in MX ? Sorry if it's been discussed but every pit board pic makes me wonder about it. Maybe some riders would prefer not to have the distraction but is it even available as an option ? (rules wise. I realize they can from a technological standpoint.) You have all this advanced technology and they're still using a board to communicate.
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KennyT
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KennyT 7/31/2016 7:54am
7/31/2016 7:54am
I have no idea but maybe it is to keep the cost down. All of the factory/support teams would have them and the other half would not, further dividing the huge gap between the haves/have nots
slipdog
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slipdog 7/31/2016 7:57am
7/31/2016 7:57am
That damn Jeff Ward guy ruined it for everyone!
pbody
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pbody 7/31/2016 8:04am
7/31/2016 8:04am
I've wondered this for years....even late models at the local dirt track are usually required to have one-way receiver radios.

I think it should be implemented for safety reasons; yellow and red cross flag information. Bike problem issues like "you're losing coolant." Perhaps lap times, but like F1 and their limited radio issues, monitor the transmissions so there is no over-the-top coaching.....you need 2 positions for the overall today, or you need to let Broc bye and pass another rider so Broc wins the championship.

The only downside is focus and distractions. Hearing someone say something when you trying to get traction out of a flat corner on hardpack to hit a 70' triple could be bad.
davis224
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davis224 7/31/2016 8:56am
7/31/2016 8:56am
When I've thought about it, the one horror I can see coming from it would be if something happened with the signal and the rider got deafening feedback right in his ear. Could you imagine that happening in the middle of a rythm section, or seeing a rider come to a screeching halt and throw his helmet off?

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motogrady
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motogrady 7/31/2016 9:05am
7/31/2016 9:05am

I know is been discussed a few times, by the AMA, but it was always shot down.
I can't believe they would raise cost as an issue.
To hear a rider is down a few turns ahead would have to make it a safer deal then looking for yellow flags.

I'd like to hear DC chime in on this one, he's one that would have to know the reason.
Ramrod
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Ramrod 7/31/2016 9:09am
7/31/2016 9:09am
The guys are so talented these days I bet the could read and send a text over the big jumps
motogrady
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motogrady 7/31/2016 9:11am
7/31/2016 9:11am
Ramrod wrote:
The guys are so talented these days I bet the could read and send a text over the big jumps

Hey, they got signal, yer prob right.
mark_swart
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mark_swart 7/31/2016 9:36am
7/31/2016 9:36am
I remember cost and unfairness to privateer teams was the reason cited back in 87 or 88 when they initially banned them. Neither of those hold water, but I do think it would be used in "unsporting" ways if they were allowed. Racecraft is a skill, the radios would diminish it.
I could see exploring the idea of a one-way broadcast, from the track crew, for safety purposes only.
Beast666
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Beast666 7/31/2016 11:20am
7/31/2016 11:20am
Cost is 1 factor thr other factor ia the AMA would also have to control all the frequency so that each and every licensed rider has a unique frequency. While there are digital "trunking" radio systems they are not practical for racing as there is a delay in transmission. So the AMA has to get a block of frequency from the FCC and them recommend what radio's the riders should use. Also a special radio would have to be developed for moto helmets including noise canceling ear buds microphones and a way for a rider to key the microphone without being wired to the bike.

Indy car and F1 the driver is wired to the car for the ear buds and mic. With the radio and mic. Key is on the chassis. A moto setup would have to be self contained system mounted to the riders helmet without being a safety issue.
RMZ#
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RMZ# 7/31/2016 11:24am
7/31/2016 11:24am
It wouldn't make a difference for a rider to be able to communicate with his wrench. If anything is would just stress the rider out more than they already are.

This sport is nothing like Nascar where you need spotters.
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KirkChandler 7/31/2016 11:35am
7/31/2016 11:35am
slipdog wrote:
That damn Jeff Ward guy ruined it for everyone!
Totally did. Laughing Laughing

watch 88 San Diego Supercross and both Lechien and Wardy were riding exceptionally wide bikes when RJ was trying to pass. Soon after they were banned, although team USA used them at the 88 Des Nation.
hillbilly
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hillbilly 7/31/2016 12:05pm
7/31/2016 12:05pm
Breaker breaker BOB1 this is McCarty control ,I need you to let brock bye

McCarty control,this is BOB1 ,fuck you
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Krallang 7/31/2016 12:31pm
7/31/2016 12:31pm
Because you can only hear the rider when he's not on the throttle.
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Skidaddle 7/31/2016 12:47pm
7/31/2016 12:47pm
Race official safety only info might be beneficial.
Yellow flags, rider down by triple, shit like that.
Given out like the transponders to all.
Other than that stick with pitboards.

If a rider cant tell his bike is overheating then maybe he will figure it out when its knocking and going slower and slower.
Skidaddle
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Skidaddle 7/31/2016 12:49pm
7/31/2016 12:49pm
hillbilly wrote:
Breaker breaker BOB1 this is McCarty control ,I need you to let brock bye

McCarty control,this is BOB1 ,fuck you
Haha. Most wont get that.
MR. X
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MR. X 7/31/2016 12:57pm
7/31/2016 12:57pm
Maybe a headset company would like to help sponsor the series and hook everyone up with headsets who make the show.
KBOLTZ
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KBOLTZ 7/31/2016 1:15pm
7/31/2016 1:15pm
I posed this question a while back on here as well. I think it could benefit a lot of riders and make racing safer as stated before with warning about a downed rider ahead. These days the cost would not be outrageous like in the 80s 90s. Some of these dudes don't even look at the pit boards anyway. Could be a good thing... But I've never rode or worked in professional MX so I could be missing the disadvantages.
sandspider250 7/31/2016 1:23pm
7/31/2016 1:23pm
The mechanics always have them. Who are they talking to?
The rider's mic would have to be triggered by a loud voice. Need a custom level adjustment to transmit or it would be transmitting all the time

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hillbilly
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hillbilly 7/31/2016 2:34pm
7/31/2016 2:34pm
Because I'd have a electronic expert with a big linear,real big,and override everyone's radio " red flagged start" braappp.

"Big pileup,lookout" braappp( I'd be on a 2 stroke) " big rack on the fence" braaapppp
Ted722
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Ted722 7/31/2016 2:39pm
7/31/2016 2:39pm
Throw it the other way. Rider to team only. Then, the pit board could communicate to the rider based on a statement or question he might have.
rrjr
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rrjr 7/31/2016 2:58pm
7/31/2016 2:58pm
It's perfect for the crazy mini dad's out there. They can scream and yell at their kid's while they're on the track instead of waiting until they come back to the pits.
KBOLTZ
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KBOLTZ 7/31/2016 3:31pm
7/31/2016 3:31pm
rrjr wrote:
It's perfect for the crazy mini dad's out there. They can scream and yell at their kid's while they're on the track instead of waiting until...
It's perfect for the crazy mini dad's out there. They can scream and yell at their kid's while they're on the track instead of waiting until they come back to the pits.
Lol
Beast666
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Beast666 7/31/2016 4:21pm
7/31/2016 4:21pm
RMZ# wrote:
It wouldn't make a difference for a rider to be able to communicate with his wrench. If anything is would just stress the rider out more...
It wouldn't make a difference for a rider to be able to communicate with his wrench. If anything is would just stress the rider out more than they already are.

This sport is nothing like Nascar where you need spotters.
Stressed out? I was the most calm when i had my helmet on and on the track. If a rider is stressed out on the track they should not be on the bike to begin with.
scottydogmx 7/31/2016 4:51pm
7/31/2016 4:51pm
It would make it more interesting for watching on TV if they new what the riders and teams were thinking during races , a bit t like F1 perhaps
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slowgti 7/31/2016 5:20pm
7/31/2016 5:20pm
Why couldn't they issue a yellow light that goes on the bar pad, it could be triggered by an official within say 100 foot radius. They could turn it on to signal for a downed rider in the next segment of the track.
Motorizer101
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Motorizer101 7/31/2016 6:38pm
7/31/2016 6:38pm
Didn't Alessi and Motoconcepts try running one at the first Monster Cup to no avail?
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MX Guy 7/31/2016 6:43pm
7/31/2016 6:43pm
They rarely even read the pitboard
lostboy819
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lostboy819 7/31/2016 11:59pm
7/31/2016 11:59pm
Beast666 wrote:
Cost is 1 factor thr other factor ia the AMA would also have to control all the frequency so that each and every licensed rider has...
Cost is 1 factor thr other factor ia the AMA would also have to control all the frequency so that each and every licensed rider has a unique frequency. While there are digital "trunking" radio systems they are not practical for racing as there is a delay in transmission. So the AMA has to get a block of frequency from the FCC and them recommend what radio's the riders should use. Also a special radio would have to be developed for moto helmets including noise canceling ear buds microphones and a way for a rider to key the microphone without being wired to the bike.

Indy car and F1 the driver is wired to the car for the ear buds and mic. With the radio and mic. Key is on the chassis. A moto setup would have to be self contained system mounted to the riders helmet without being a safety issue.
Nice answer. I had no idea of what all would be involved but it sounds like it would be a major pain in the butt and dont really think that it we worth the hassle.
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kzizok 8/1/2016 12:18am
8/1/2016 12:18am
sandspider250 wrote:
The mechanics always have them. Who are they talking to? The rider's mic would have to be triggered by a loud voice. Need a custom level...
The mechanics always have them. Who are they talking to?
The rider's mic would have to be triggered by a loud voice. Need a custom level adjustment to transmit or it would be transmitting all the time
Teams will have spotters in the stands (i.e. supercross). The mechanic is usually ground level so they cant see everything. Kind of like football teams that have people in the press box that provide another perspective.

The spotters are more effective during practicing and heat races, etc. as they can tell the mechanic that they need suspension adjustments etc. They can also tell the mechanics if the rider is down, etc.

During mains they can help with position, general info but other than pltboard communications, mechanics use it for themselves as good to know.

Just a very general overview. Ive actually been a spotter at times.

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