Messages

676

Technical Talk / GMRS radio advice

« on: November 10, 2016, 12:37:19 PM »

Our club needs to buy more radios, but shopping for them has been frustrating.  So, any and all advice is welcome.

What I know (or think I know):

- the cheapest radios (those that use 2 AA batteries and/or can be charged via USB) have lousy range and extremely dismal battery life.

-- the best ones are shockingly expensive.

What I am considering for purchase right now:

Motorola:
https://www.amazon.ca/Motorola-MR560R-Two-Way-Radio-Black/dp/B00449IVAY/

Midland:
https://www.amazon.ca/Midland-GXT860VP4-42-Channel-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B007B5ZKGG

The ones we currently have are GXT1000VP4, but their current price is too dear.

Does anyone have any comments or alternatives?

Notes about requirements:
The radios can take AA batteries (NOT AAA batteries) as an alternate power source.
At least 3 batteries (3.6 volts or higher)
Somewhat water resistant (for our rainy days)
Reasonable price (cheapest is not necessarily best though).

677

SASC Events / Re: Results for November 6, 2016 event at YYC

« on: November 10, 2016, 12:07:35 PM »

Thanks for posting the results! I'm wondering if we can get an "afternoon only" result set please? I swapped tires from RE71R to Pilot Super Sports in the afternoon so I'm trying to get a feel for how good the Super Sports really are (and they are good) but you can't win an autox with them. Plus some of your top drivers were not on their prime tire so that put me more on par with the tires run that day.

For comparison, Stephen and I were on a set of 3 year old Rivals (1st generation).  They just slid around until we could get a bit of heat into them.

Driving at this venue reminded me of the great old days of autox and how I fell in love with the sport. I look forward to attending more events next year at this place.

HAppy to see you made it down, and it will be great to see you down more next year.  Sorry that Jo and I didn't make it up to Edmonton this year, but our cross-Canada trip ate up most of our racing season.

678

SASC Events / Re: Results for November 6, 2016 event at YYC

« on: November 10, 2016, 12:04:28 PM »

Video of my best morning run:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjoInj0Jki0&feature=youtu.be

Not a very good run; under driven and way too much "phoning it in".  Compare my times to Stephen H's in the morning to see how bad it was.  I did finally pick it up in the afternoon, but only on my last run.

679

SASC Events / Re: Results for November 6, 2016 event at YYC

« on: November 10, 2016, 11:59:27 AM »

http://members.shaw.ca/murray.autocross/2016/2016_11_06__scores-afternoon.txt

I will also update the first post with links to all 3 sets of scores.

680

SASC Events / Re: Results for November 6, 2016 event at YYC

« on: November 07, 2016, 11:25:07 AM »

Cars are split into classes, where each class contains cars that are supposedly close to each other in autox performance.  See appendix A in the SCCA rules for the list of various cars:
   https://www.scca.com/pages/solo-cars-and-rules
As people make performance mods to their cars, they will be forced into more difficult classes.  The SCCA rules cover the allowed mods for each class.  For example, if I decide to modify my springs, I would be forced to run in STR (Street Touting Roadster) instead of BS (B Street).

PAX is a handicapping system which attempts to equalize all of the classes.  For example, my S2000 is classed in BS (B Street), and it has a PAX of 0.826.  If I put on coilovers and wider wheels, I would be classed in STR, which has a PAX of 0.841.

So, if my run time is 60 seconds, my BS PAX time is 60x0.826 = 49.56 seconds
A car classed in STR needs to run faster in order to beat me in PAX time.  e.g. If he runs in the same time (60 seconds), he would lose to me in PAX time: 60x0.841=50.46 seconds

As for what you can do and still stay in street, just start reading the rules from the beginning and go until you reach the end of the street class section.  If it tells you that you can do something, then it is legal.  If it doesn't say anything about a modification being allowed, then it is illegal.

Street is pretty simple, with allowed mods of:
- change wheel diameter by +/- 1 inch (but no width or offset (above 1/4") change allowed)
- 1 swaybar (your choice of front or rear)
- adjustable shocks (must fit on OEM mounting points)
- gear shift knob
- catch can (provided it does not affect PVC behaviour)
- any tire provided it has 200 tread wear or higher
- any guages or aftermarket radio (comfort and convenience items)

681

SASC Events / Re: Results for November 6, 2016 event at YYC

« on: November 06, 2016, 08:06:07 PM »

I am trying to figure out results lol.

Glad you had fun.  What is confusing you about the results?  Ask, and we wille explain.

682

SASC Events / Re: Results for November 6, 2016 event at YYC

« on: November 06, 2016, 08:05:17 PM »

Fun event again, is it easy for you to post results separated into the sets? I had to leave before I could complete the afternoon. 

Is this what you want?
http://members.shaw.ca/murray.autocross/2016/2016_11_06__scores-morning.txt

683

SASC Events / Results for November 6, 2016 event at YYC

« on: November 06, 2016, 05:36:56 PM »

http://members.shaw.ca/murray.autocross/2016/2016_11_06__scores.txt

Morning only:
http://members.shaw.ca/murray.autocross/2016/2016_11_06__scores-morning.txt

Afternoon only:
http://members.shaw.ca/murray.autocross/2016/2016_11_06__scores-afternoon.txt

The weather certainly didn't cooperate -- that wind was nasty

Tom K, Craig T, and Collin P came down from Edmonton and showed us how to do it right

684

SASC Events / Re: Nov 6 YYC6 Yes! We are

« on: November 05, 2016, 06:03:21 PM »

If anyone has their own FRS radios, it would be nice if you brought them to the event.

The radios I brought to the last event were all garbage, so I will be bringing the club's Midland radios.  However, we only have 10 of them, and I am pretty sure that one of them is going bad.

685

SASC Events / Re: Nov 6 YYC6 Yes! We are

« on: November 04, 2016, 12:03:20 AM »

We can use my truck as the timing vehicle

Thank you!

686

Technical Talk / Re: ASN/FiA Canada Solosport Report ...

« on: November 03, 2016, 12:09:43 PM »

Canadian Autoslalom Championship at Pitt Meadows next year.  Looks like an early date as well.

687

SASC Events / Re: Nov 6 YYC6 Yes! We are

« on: November 03, 2016, 12:08:36 PM »

Sounds great!

688

SASC Events / Re: Nov 6 YYC6 Yes! We are

« on: November 02, 2016, 08:46:44 PM »

The timing computer can run for several hours on its own battery power, but the router for live scoring needs a bit more juice.  Total draw for both is small -- about the same as a single interior light bulb.

The biggest issue is sunlight -- it's hard as hell to run timing in full sunlight, and being inside a car makes it possible to read the screen.  Also, it's hard to hear radio calls if you are outside where cars are launching.

689

SASC Events / Re: Re: any chance for a YYC event Nov 6 ? Yes! We are

« on: November 02, 2016, 01:49:48 PM »

Maybe my truck ...

Needs a 12 volt accessory outlet, and I believe your truck is missing such a beast.

690

SASC Events / Re: Re: any chance for a YYC event Nov 6 ? Yes! We are

« on: November 02, 2016, 11:28:26 AM »

Jo can't make it to Sunday's event, so our Mazda will not be available as a timing vehicle.

Is anyone bringing a truck or non-racing vehicle to the event that we can use for timing?  If not, life is going to be "interesting" for timing -- probably my S2000 for one heat, and some other car when the S2K is racing.