NHRA radio signal at the tracks....

[Toejam]

Is there any reason why it changes at every track?? 88.3 FM at one track, AM 54 at another, 88.7 FM at another.

 

[Mr. Jean]

Yes. there is.

 

[Raconteur]

Radio frequencies and dial positions change all over the world.

While the dragstrip tower "broadcasts" are relatively low power and usually cover the pits and parking lots, they cannot interfere with FCC licensed local commercial and college radio stations broadcasting on assigned frequencies.

 

[Jenn]

Radio frequencies and dial positions change all over the world.

While the dragstrip tower "broadcasts" are relatively low power and usually cover the pits and parking lots, they cannot interfere with FCC licensed local commercial and college radio stations broadcasting on assigned frequencies.

Sometimes they are too low and people way out in the boondock pits can't hear there, and sometimes you can hear the races approaching the tracks.

My solution to the low frequency is to get the tracks number and call them whenever you think you've been called to the lanes. It beats driving to the lanes on your ATV, seeing your class up there and high tailing it back to get your cars.

 

[Harry Mannback]

Radio frequencies and dial positions change all over the world.

While the dragstrip tower "broadcasts" are relatively low power and usually cover the pits and parking lots, they cannot interfere with FCC licensed local commercial and college radio stations broadcasting on assigned frequencies.

Darr wins the prize with the correct answer! The track must pick a frequency that will not interfere with other stations. FM is "line of sight" so it has a harder time getting through structures and other objects with out a lot of power. A class A fm station has 100,000 watts of power to push the signal into places. I believe that the type of transmitter tracks use are less than a watt. Antenna placement also has a lot to do with it, the higher up it is the better the range.

 

[clwill]

Antenna placement also has a lot to do with it, the higher up it is the better the range.

Yep, we have an external car antenna on our trailer so that we get the signal clearly even in the boonies of the sportsman pits...

 

[Kati]

Darr wins the prize with the correct answer! The track must pick a frequency that will not interfere with other stations. FM is "line of sight" so it has a harder time getting through structures and other objects with out a lot of power. A class A fm station has 100,000 watts of power to push the signal into places. I believe that the type of transmitter tracks use are less than a watt. Antenna placement also has a lot to do with it, the higher up it is the better the range.

Yep...better the range..but not as good of building or "trailer" penetration.

 

[Toejam]

At Some tracks, like Indy and Pomona you can pick it up over a mile from the track!

 

[clwill]

At Some tracks, like Indy and Pomona you can pick it up over a mile from the track!

Except for some reason today... I'm at the track at Pomona and I can barely pick it up -- both the signal is weak and the sound is quieter than usual. And I sit maybe 100ft from the tower?

Reinhart, what's up??