Here's my thoughts out loud about PA for the event, in which there are two PA systems. One is the podium system to be used for awards, pit announcements etc. The second is the portable job to be driven around the loop on a Kawasaki Mule or similar for in-section narration.

I'm thinking the existing TTC PA might be a good size to be used for the "remote" PA (I haven't used it but I'm guessing it's in the range of about 200-400 watts). The idea I had (it's an untested theory so if you have a better idea let me know) was to use a marine deep cycle battery and a pretty beefy power inverter and make a plywood skid with everything mounted and bungie corded down etc. The speakers would strap down as well and when in use are removed and put on the Mule roof or spread out somewhere for coverage.

As far as the "podium" PA, I was thinking around 800-1600 watts power amp and several full range cabinets mounted on head high tripod stands should cover it. I'm not sure what size crowd there will be exactly, but for just voice and perhaps a little background music it doesn't have to be too large. The power would be supplied I am told from new 120AC outlets which will be added near the RV pads in the middle by the practice logs.

One concern is rain. If the stage is high enough the amps may be ok under it plus with a tarp, and the speakers could probably survive with some creative plastic sheeting covering.

Perhaps a 2nd marine battery and a charging station would be needed as well.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions??

John

Wow! My idea of a portable PA system is a little hand held thingy.

A FM transmitter would be nice. That way the folks who REALLY
want to hear could wear headphones. (At Supercross events, I'm
seldom able to hear the PA system over crowd and bike noises.)

Good stuff there John. Might be able to use the mule to keep the batteries charged too. I think they have a decent electrical system. I'll look into that. I'm thinking a 12v amp might work too.
One from a car audio system. I think I've got one of those around. Harmen Karden, ? watts.I've also got a 120v amp and a 4 channel board we could use in a pinch.

Donna, I love the FM idea! I wonder where to get a transmitter with a couple hundred foot range?
I've got a little one that has about a 6" range.

Brian,

Great idea about a 12v amp. should be easy to find one with a standard line input. That might make things much simpler. If a mule has a cig lighter power tap then a little inverter could be plugged in to power a small 4 ch mixer.

I'll see if I can do some research on FM.

thanks Donna and Brian

FM Transmitters (Google search)
http://www.hobbytron.com/FMTransmitter.html

A powerful unit is rather expensive. I wonder
if the equipment could be rented?

Would enough people bring / have these recievers with them to make it worthwhile?

Is it something that we should promote ahead of time so that everyone brings their "walkman style FM radio" or whatever would recieve that?

Thinking way outside the box, and maybe it is laughable, but could there be enough interest for a local radio station to do a live broadcast?

Radio Shack sells FM radios starting at under $2.
http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=fm

Ideally, the broadcast would be mentioned ahead of time so people could bring
their own radios plus inexpensive units would be sold at the concession stands.

Any boom box or car stereo could be used to extend the effective reach of the
PA system to small clusters of people (if broadcasting the same on PA and FM).
This might help mechanics and others working near a truck or RV.

Looks reasonable to broadcast from the pavilion to the pasture but getting
a signal out into the woods would require more power and more expense.

Thinking about the fm transmitter. A PA system seem to add something to the excitement that I am not sure fm radio and headphones will. Also, it is asking a lot of the crowd if each person has to bring, carry, and keep up with a radio. FM is a neat idea but I am afraid it may make everything more complex than it needs to be.

Clay Nash

I meant FM in addition to (not instead of) a PA system.
Definitely more complex than necessary but, like I said
originally, it would be nice. Probably not worth the effort
unless someone in the group is already familiar with the
equipment needed, how to set it up, etc.

Speaking of "nice" expensive gizmos . . .

Garmin has a line of FRS/GMRS radios with GPS position reporting.
This would be a cool way to answer the inevitable "where's Dan?"
I'm sure that will be one of the FAQs during the event.

http://www.garmin.com/products/comparison.jsp

Sorry, the above link (for Garmin's Rhino series) doesn't work.
Here's a replacement: http://www.garmin.com/outdoor/products.html#2-way

Best price I've seen is $138 (each, unfortunately) at WalMart.

I've got 2 suggestions to find Dan.

(1) Tie a balloon to his bike with a 200 foot string.

(B) Have him ride the new 4 stroke Montesa.
Shirley, we could hear him.

(III) Just a note. There are 3 kinds of people in this world, ones that can count and ones that can!