[CUCBC Captains] Bumps umpires: A few notes on radio use

[Ian Cowley]

Dear Bumps umpires (captains, please pass on to marshalls)

We have new radio kit this year for Bumps, and they're not quite as simple
as last year, so here's a few notes on how to use them - judging from how
some came back today I suspect several umpires and marshalls never heard a
thing...

* The radios are Expensive (with a capital E).  Over £600 per handset.  We
pay to hire them but they are not insurable against damage, breakage or
loss - CUCBC need to pay for these and it'll end up being added to future
event fees.  I appreciate that accidents happen (I've dropped radios in
puddles in the past myself!), but please do be careful with them.  If one
gets wet, switch it off and take it back to control to be dried out.
* The radios are digital.  This means they take 5-10 seconds to boot up!
They'll bleep a bit at you once they're on.  Don't assume they're not
working if they don't do anything immediately!
* The new radios operate on channel 9, as they talk to a repeater stationed
at the Plough which listens on channel 9.  Please make sure your radio is
on channel 9, else you won't be able to hear or broadcast.  For
clarification, that's channel 9!
* When pushing the button to talk, the radios have to handshake with the
repeater, and that takes a fraction of a second.  So when you push the
button, take a breath or say "um", "ok" or similar.  Otherwise "Checkmate
at the ditch" becomes "at the ditch" and "person in the water" becomes "in
the water".  That fraction of a second is important :-)
* The radios are expensive.  Please look after them. I may have already
mentioned this :-)
* The radio handsets have optional wired headsets.  They have plastic clips
with a multi-stage clip so if you can't work it out do ask.  If a headset
is attached then you have to use it - no sound comes out of the onboard
speaker.  The microphone for the headsets is on the lapel clip.  It will
pick up (quietly) your voice if it's on your lapel/zip, but it's better to
raise it a little to your mouth or look down towards it when speaking.
*The radios also have a separate hard plastic sheath that has the belt
clip.  There are leather holsters available if you prefer a strap.
* Any problems or questions, do ask someone at Control BEFORE heading off
with the radio, or ask a DCU/CU at the start.

Hope that helps :)

-- 
Dr Ian Cowley
CUCBC Committee
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