1. Football Official Crew Communication Devices
TECHNOLOGY AND MECHANICS
Jeff Wasserman, MD
DFOA

2. Background
NFL/NCAA football officials have been using crew communication systems since Started in professional soccer (Premier League/MLS)
Most crews have used Vokkero (Adeunis RF, France)
Full Duplex (“open mic”, no push-to-talk necessary), ? distracting in Duplex
Paired units, encrypted voice transmission
Long Range (> 500 yards)
High clarity, durable
Noise filters reduce whistle tone and crowd noise
Expensive: > $8000 for set of 8 with headsets
Soccer officials often strap units to torso, arm, or use waist pouch

3. Radio Considerations Technology & licensing Headset options
Operating Mode (PTT, VOX, Duplex)
Battery life
Durability, weather proofing
Security (unit pairing, encryption)
Range and sound quality
Cost
Noise filtering
Weight & size
Securing the unit to your body

4. Radio Technology and Licensing
Classification: Family Radio Service (FRS), General Radio Mobile Service (GRMS), Dual Class, and Business Class.
FRS:
Motorola, Midland, Yapalong, Vokkero
Popular since they operate in unlicensed 900 MHz range
GRMS, Dual Class, Business Class :
Baofeng, Retevis, RefTalk, Minipro, Kenwood
Operate in the lower 400 MHz band, near public safety frequency bands and more prone to interference. May require FCC license to avoid fine
FCC has approved some dual class units for use under specific conditions:
low power mode, specific channels, business-use, PTT only
TASO-approved (Baofeng, Retevis)

5. Headsets Comfort, stability, durability
Read on-line reviews
Boom mic or “surveillance style” (lapel mic & air tube)
Boom mic sound quality usually better (proximity to mouth)
Will R be wearing PA system boom mic?
Often proprietary to the radio system, so limited options
Cost $30-$150 each
Yapalong has inexpensive silicon ear piece covers for comfort & stability
Custom fitted ear pieces available in the future?

6. Operating mode
Duplex (“open mic”), VOX (voice activated), PTT, or hybrid mode
Duplex capable systems (Vokkero, Yapalong, RefTalk, SimulTalk)
Headset will determine if unit operates in duplex or PTT mode
VOX
Sensitivity concerns
PTT (push-to-talk)
For most units, PTT button must be held down to transmit
When PTT button pushed, all other units may be prohibited from transmitting
Inexperienced users often start talking before pushing button, or release button early and get cut off (“1-second rule”)

8. Battery and Durability
All systems have rechargeable batteries
Some have regular alkaline battery backup
Ideal is > 8 hours battery life on full charge
Battery life will drop over time

9. Security All units should require pairing, with encrypted transmission
Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) preferred:
Transmission jumps frequencies within narrow MHz band
Improves security
Reduces interference
Allows multiple radios to transmit simultaneously
Range should not be excessive

10. Range and Sound Quality
Manufacturers usually put “ideal” range on package
Official’s line-of-sight will be unobstructed, and close to “ideal”
Improving transmission (range and quality)
Keep antennae away from body to reduce RF absorption
Avoid body-blocking, use “line of sight” transmission
Keep radio as high as possible
“You get what you pay for”
In general, higher end systems have better quality
Noise filters; less of an issue with push-to-talk (PTT)

11. Does it matter for < 100 yards ?
Nautic Devices, Inc

12. Securing the Unit Belt clip Body strap (arm or torso)
Side or front belt for reasonable line-of-sight positioning
Keep clip tight to avoid bouncing
Body strap (arm or torso)
Radio must be small
Line-of-sight good
TASO ?
Runner’s belt (“fanny pack”)
Protected, secure
Excessive bouncing

13. TASO Requirements
“Before a crew uses an on-field communication device, the Board must approve the brand and model” even if it meets minimal criteria (
Approval form on member’s portal
Minimal criteria (2017 TASO Football 7-man and 5-man Mechanics Manuals):
Paired, PTT operation only (avoid distractions), headset and mic (avoid “walkie talkie” use), water resistant, black or white case colors only
Mechanics manual not specific on where/how radio can be secured
What does TASO Mechanics Committee consider?
Frequency, pairing and encryption, PTT, range, water resistance
Frequency hopping transmission (improves security, reduces interference, allows multiple transmitters to operate simultaneously)
Noise filtering

14. TASO Approved Units

15. Entry Level Units Motorola, Midland, Cobra, Baofeng, Retevis
Several hundred dollars for full set of radios
Meet all the TASO minimal criteria
Head sets sold separately, a few options for each radio
Expect lower sound quality, “clicks”
Only one unit may be able to transmit at a time

16. Practical Notes Use during DEAD BALL interval only
R to use surveillance-style headset if PA system mic
Boom mic better sound quality, but can be more awkward to use (use opposite of whistle hand)
Practice with system, and give extra time in locker room for securing device to body
R to confirm system is functioning properly out on the field, with officials widely separated.
U-H-L-B-F-S: “Umpires Have Leather Balls For Snaps”
Avoid unnecessary conversation (“talk over”, someone could be listening!)
Cover radio with waterproof cover if inclement weather likely

17. 7-man Communication Mechanics (by play type)
Free Kicks
B 20-second warning (whistle or radio); alerts for final sideline check
Any official announce if team count abnormal
After play, announce all fouls to R. Closest official relay coach’s choice for kick out-of-bounds or other Team A fouls
R to inform crew of on-side kick formation

18. 7-man Communication Mechanics (by play type)
Scrimmage Downs
Wing officials and B can announce substitution in progress
Alert wing officials to possible sideline management violations
R/U may announce to L/H if back, when in question, is on or outside of tackle box for BBW enforcement
Any official alert H if down marker incorrect
After timeout called, R should announce remaining timeouts for confirmation

19. 7-man Communication Mechanics (fouls)
Penalty Enforcement
Calling official/s announce fouls at end of play
Alerts R
Holds H and chain crew in place
Confirms there are not multiple fouls
Use radio to give foul details to R if face-to-face discussion or hand signals would delay game
R should announce foul, penalty, and succeeding down to crew before final signals:
Improves communication of wings with coaches and players
Confirm details and avoid errors
Prepares R for PA announcement

20. 7-man Communication Mechanics (position specific)
Referee
Charge and pair all units. Take system to game
Confirm all units are properly secured to body
Test units with crew on field during warm-up
Confirm foul details with calling official/s if face-to-face discussion or hand signal would unnecessarily delay game
R may announce if back, when in question, is on or out of tackle box for BBW enforcement

21. 7-man Communication Mechanics (position specific)
Umpire
Use radio during penalty enforcement if further information needed before walk-off
U may announce if back, when in question, is on or out of tackle box for BBW enforcement
Head Linesman and Line Judge
Confirm with each other if question on legality of formation
Notify crew if Team A substituting from your sideline
L to announce if dead ball is short or past line-to-gain on close call

22. 7-man Communication Mechanics (position specific)
Back Judge
Notify F/S if Team B count abnormal
Notify crew if Team A substitution in progress and wings officials did not announce
Notify R of play clock errors

23. 7-man Communication Mechanics (position specific)
Field Judge and Side Judge
Notify other deep officials if Team B count abnormal
Announce Team A substitution from your sideline if necessary
Announce possible 9-yard mark violations to H/L
S to notify R of game clock errors
Notify crew of time remaining if game clock malfunctions