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So About Those Ref Mics at Apogee

KRAM1

By KRAM1
in Mean Green Football

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KRAM1 Rookie

KRAM1

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Found out the the ref mic problem at Apogee has been a bit of a mystery and struggle to fix, but they seem to have located the problem and are working with Manhatten Construction to get it fixed. You may not believe this but they work when tested. Problem was they were tested when no crowd was at Apogee. Seems it is a bad cell tower placement AND, get this, the fact that so many people on the highway and in Apogee during games are ON THEIR cell phones! Yep, all the folks on and the fact that the stadium is down in a hole as far as towers are concerned and because it is right between two big towers is causing the problem. I am not a teach guy so don't understand all that was explained to me, but I did understand that it will be fixed, that it is pretty expensive to fix and that lots of folks are working on it. No one likes it and everyone knows it MUST be fixed and fixed soon. So, to all the folks that thought everyone was just sitting around doing nothing about it...WRONG...lots of folks working omit andIT WILL BE FIXED.

Thought that was good news...really surprised to hear what the problem has been....funny about all the cell phones I thought, but that's something that can be fixed wi some fairly expensive antenna replacements. I think we'll see improvement soon.

Thought you might like to know...I was pretty happy to hear the fix is on the way and that it could be fixed. Was a bit of a mystery as to why at first as it worked fine ever time they had folks out to test the thing....ahhhh, they mysteries of life........

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TheTastyGreek Collaborator

TheTastyGreek

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I think something may be lost in translation here... The only way any cell phone transmission should interact with the wireless microphones would be interference through the physical cable connecting the mic to the transmitter on the ref's belt. And if that's the problem (like hum in your computer speakers when you get a call or text) then towers wouldn't matter, and the microphones would have hum, not cut out completely.

The frequency range for cell calls/data and wireless microphones are not the same. I think wireless mic frequencies are close or same band as over the air tv. But cell phones and wireless microphones are sort of like planes and cars... The traffic doesn't cross paths. Just the mic cable, and distance or insulation are the only solutions I know of there.

MeanGreenDan Mentor

MeanGreenDan

Posted
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I get horrible cell service at games

Add me to the list. The bigger venues and events bring in temporary towers to handle the temporary increased demand. Hopefully one day we get to the point where that becomes a necessity (more than it already is).

tylermeangreen Newbie

tylermeangreen

Posted
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I think something may be lost in translation here... The only way any cell phone transmission should interact with the wireless microphones would be interference through the physical cable connecting the mic to the transmitter on the ref's belt. And if that's the problem (like hum in your computer speakers when you get a call or text) then towers wouldn't matter, and the microphones would have hum, not cut out completely.

The frequency range for cell calls/data and wireless microphones are not the same. I think wireless mic frequencies are close or same band as over the air tv. But cell phones and wireless microphones are sort of like planes and cars... The traffic doesn't cross paths. Just the mic cable, and distance or insulation are the only solutions I know of there.

After so many attempts to fix the problem I am sure that they would appreciate your expertise.

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TheTastyGreek Collaborator

TheTastyGreek

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After so many attempts to fix the problem I am sure that they would appreciate your expertise.

Definitely not an expert. And I have no idea what the problem is, other than sometimes it sounds like the microphones are cutting out and sometimes there seems to be a feedback problem.

Just saying that something may have gotten confused somewhere between diagnosis and gmg post. Which is not a complaint towards kram; thanks for the original post.

filmerj Newbie

filmerj

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Posted (edited)

Definitely not an expert. And I have no idea what the problem is, other than sometimes it sounds like the microphones are cutting out and sometimes there seems to be a feedback problem.

Just saying that something may have gotten confused somewhere between diagnosis and gmg post. Which is not a complaint towards kram; thanks for the original post.

It's plausible that the amount of bodies would interfere with (absorb) the RF signal of the refs wireless mics, if the receivers aren't in optimal positions in the stadium. Without actually looking at, and seeing the system they have in use, it's tough to really speculate on the issue. All I know is that it seems hackish that after a season and a whole off season that the issue hasn't been fixed.

Edited by filmerj
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NorthTexan95 Experienced

NorthTexan95

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During the radio broadcast of the Troy game George was really frustrated by the problem. Hank said that if they still had issues during the Troy game they had a plan to finally resolve the issue. It seems they really want it fixed for the ESPN game. It sounds like the sure fire fix will cost money so they tried other options first.

UNTstormchaser Newbie

UNTstormchaser

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I'm not surprised that it's something so petty and ridiculous like this (and that is in no way a negative comment towards Apogee or the AD), because I'm sure that we wouldn't have let the problem occur for this long if it was some easy and obvious fix. Everyone is annoyed by it. I'm no expert on this type of stuff by any stretch of the imagination, but it at least makes sense to me that the mass amount of cell phone usage when you have 20,000+ people in one location, let alone the fact that it's literally at the intersection of the 2 biggest highways in the region, so I'm glad that this is at least in the stages of resolution. Hopefully for the ESPN game this is fixed, though they're going to have a one time shot at this since they can't test it in-game anymore before then, so I wouldn't be shocked if it wasn't.

ADLER Grand Master

ADLER

Posted
Posted

During the radio broadcast of the Troy game George was really frustrated by the problem. Hank said that if they still had issues during the Troy game they had a plan to finally resolve the issue. It seems they really want it fixed for the ESPN game. It sounds like the sure fire fix will cost money so they tried other options first.

It's my understanding that as a cost saving measure they have been testing the referee's microphone system by using it during the coach's shows on Mondays. Some bailing wire and duct tape just may fix it.

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TheWestie Rookie

TheWestie

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Actually, cell phone signal frequencies and wireless microphone frequencies are very close together. In fact, the FCC pissed off a lot of people last year or the year before by taking some frequencies allocated for wireless mics and selling the right to use those to cell operators. Thousands of wireless mic systems were effected. We had two wireless mic kits at work and one of them operates on the now banned frequencies. It just sits in a drawer because it's illegal to use those frequencies for that purpose now.

Remember in "This is Spinal Tap" when the guitar wireless set was picking up the radio signals from thr airforce base? Same thing.

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UNT90 Newbie

UNT90

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Posted (edited)

This describes North Texas Athletics for its entire existence.

A year and a half of a problem that should have already been fixed.

It makes us look amateuristic in televised games. The frustration level from the ESPN announcers should be fun/sad to watch for those viewing if this is a problem Oct 16th.

Edited by UNT90
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KRAM1 Rookie

KRAM1

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Definitely not an expert. And I have no idea what the problem is, other than sometimes it sounds like the microphones are cutting out and sometimes there seems to be a feedback problem.

Just saying that something may have gotten confused somewhere between diagnosis and gmg post. Which is not a complaint towards kram; thanks for the original post.

I believe I stated in my original post that I was not an expert and may have missed something in the explanation...But, I did plainly hear that the position of Apogee between two cell towers and the positioning of the Apogee equipment definitely has a role to play along with all the cell traffic during games...both inside and outside the stadium. The info came from a very well placed source and was unsolicited.

Just trying to let folks know that the problem has been diagnosed, and that a fix is in the works. Thought that was good news worth posting. Am also VERY certain there are those who know a ton more about this than I do...especially those working to solve the solution. I can also tell you that the folks in the Athletic Dept. are more frustrated with it than any fan! Also good news to me as it shows they are determined to get it solved! Go Mean Green.....beat FAU!

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KRAM1 Rookie

KRAM1

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Every stadium in America uses wireless mics for the referees and our's is the only one with this issue? Seems odd.

You 100 percent sure about that "ours is the only one" comment? Lots of stadiums in the US. You get around a great deal to have the experience and actual facts to make that comment...but good for you for sitting in every stadium in the country!

I envy you ability to travel so much and watch football in so many different cities. How do you find time to work during the fall?

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MeanMag Rising Star

MeanMag

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You 100 percent sure about that "ours is the only one" comment? Lots of stadiums in the US. You get around a great deal to have the experience and actual facts to make that comment...but good for you for sitting in every stadium in the country!

I envy you ability to travel so much and watch football in so many different cities. How do you find time to work during the fall?

so smug.

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