5 minute read
BS11 UNITS FOR MTBO
BS11 SPORTident units for MTBO in Australia
PETER CUSWORTH
Last year Kay Haarsma, on behalf of Orienteering Australia, applied for and was successful in gaining a grant so that we could purchase a set of the new BS11 SPORTident control units that are now used for major MTBO events in Europe. These units have a ‘radio’ range of up to 1.8 metres so competitors don’t have to stop at controls but can record their visit while riding past much more quickly and easily. It also helps to avoid the congestion sometimes experienced around controls – much safer riding. Of course, in these COVID times, competitors not needing to touch control boxes, is an extra positive. We have been using standard control units for a few years set to AIR beacon but these units are limited to a maximum range of 30cm which in many situations, when on a bike, is not much better than having to stop and dip your SI stick. The new BS11 units also give more flexibility in locating the stand slightly away from the hard track surface. The new units will be much easier to use for competitors without the need to ride very close to controls while leaning over with an outstretched arm. However, the new units are only for use for MTBO (and SkiO) events, so unfortunately this investment is of no use for “foot” events - the longer radio range is outside what is permitted in the Foot-O rules. The OA grant funding allowed us to purchase a set of 39 units plus a flying Finish box. The MTBO group in Victoria used some unspent fundraising money together with some funds from four clubs to purchase a set of 21 units. Orienteering ACT purchased 40 units, Orienteering NSW has ordered a set of 40 and Orienteering Queensland has ordered a set of 35 as well. So with some sharing, we will have plenty of units available to use at National and State Championship multievent weekends. There are however a number of changes to the way these units work compared to the existing SI boxes. For one, there is no hole in them for manual punching. They can only be used with SIAC sticks, and if your stick goes flat during the event, you have no way to record your visit apart from using the emergency dot punch by hand. It is vital to use the battery check box as you check in before each event to ensure your stick will last the event. We expect that at least for the first few years of using these units, the cost of a hire SIAC stick will be included with the entry fee for major events, with a discount offered to those who have their own. It seems the majority of regulars already have their own SIAC, as most “foot” events are also using the AIR system. Because the units are not being touched by competitors the control stands we use can be of a more lightweight and less rigid design. Victoria has been trialing the use of plastic electric-fence posts, as have been used at many European MTBO events, and will use them for two of the three Victorian Championship events in May. A huge benefit of these light stands is that several can be carried by bike when placing and retrieving controls - much easier than using the heavy existing metal T-bar stands. Another bonus is that control units can be mounted vertically on these plastic stands, so the control code can be read in its correct alignment – no need to avoid using those up-sidedown double numbers like 81, 86, 89 etc. The unit’s range is also slightly superior when mounted vertically, as opposed to horizontally as would be the case using a T stand.
Using brake cables and fencing “Gripples” to secure the units.
Because of the cost of these units, it is essential when placing the controls out in the field, and usually on tracks, that there is some form of security. Unfortunately, SPORTident has not done a very good job in this area with their design. The only way of securing them is via two small 2mm holes on each side of the units. Previously many clubs have used a steel cable and lock to secure units to trees, posts etc, but these holes are too small for the existing cable ends. We are now trialing a system devised in Queensland of using a bike brake cable and locking the cable with a wire fencing “Gripple”, which is then removed with a special tool. The units have a claimed operating time of up to 75 hours. To make sure the units are active at the actual event time the operating time must be programmed into them before they are placed in the field. Also, unlike previous SI units, these ones should be turned “on” when being placed out in the field as it is desirable not to have another active unit within its range. Turning these units “on” is not like “waking up” the old units, but is actually turning them on – ie, they will not work at all if this step is forgotten. There are special SI magnetic sticks for the on/off task. Unlike previous units (when used in manual ‘dip’ format) the new ones do not record competitor data – so they cannot be interrogated if a competitor protests that they have visited that control. Note this is the case with all units used in SI air mode. All of the competitor data is stored on their stick. (Don’t lose your stick!!) Course setters need to take the attributes of these units into account when planning their control placements, just as competitors need to consider the route to the subsequent control when choosing a route that takes them straight past a control, rather than having to stop and do a 180. While still an option, placing a control at the end of a dead-end track is not really taking advantage of the system. Furthermore, units should be set back from uncrossable fences or other out of bounds features so that the competitor’s passage is not recorded from the ‘wrong side’ of the feature.
Once we all get used to the new way of working with these units, the benefits of being able to ride past a control and not have to stop while putting an SI stick into a hole to register that you have been to that control will really be appreciated.
