Transponders for 2007

[MSJ]

As we have to provide our own transponders for 2007 events, I was wondering what types the rest of you are looking at (if you have started looking yet) and what your thoughts about them are.

I'll post up when I review some as well.

[raska]

Do you know anything more about them than that we will have to provide own?

[Dan G]

I'd only heard about that for Baja...

http://www.sae.org/students/cdsnewsletter1205.pdf

Where were we told we needed them for FSAE?

[MSJ]

I heard it at FSAE West. Am I wrong? Maybe I'll have to be more patient and wait till the official rules are out for 2007. But I was pretty sure...

[BStoney]

I am pretty sure nothing was said about this at FSAE East, either.

They would have to be awfully specific in terms of what you needed to provide, and would definitely issue a document or clearly call it out in the rules for the specifics.

[Brian Perry]

Its was posted on the official FSAE forum. Look at the bottom of the doc.

2007 Rule Change Summary Post (http://www.formulasae.org/forums/formula/dispatch.cgi/announcements/docProfile/100087/d20060626183541/No/2007%20FSAE%20Rule%20Change%20Summary.doc)

[MSJ]

Alright, well, there we go. Thanks Brian.


3.8 Transponders

A new section will be added. All teams in the US competitions will be required to provide their own transponders.


So, back to my original question. Has anyone spec'd out any that look good and are reasonably priced?

[Alan]

http://www.amb-it.com/

[Dan G]

The CDS Newsletter above specified the AMBmx transponder for Baja. I would guess we'd either use that or the TranX160 AMB recommends for karting.

Price is $235 for the mx, $240 for the TranX, so not that bad.

[raska]

Without telling us anything about what is needed like frequency, type of communication, etc I don't see how we can look into anything yet?

[Jonathan R.]

I'm guessing that they will provide that information in the 2007 rules document.

[Bill Kunst]

this may be crazy, but what would it take for all the currently existing teams to make one order through sae headquarters so that a reasonably low cost per unit can be achieved? i dont think his is unrealistic, and it could even be included in registration fees and available upon arrival at your event. this would leave a uniform system for all comps and would let us get good a product for a great price.
bill

[MSJ]

Originally posted by Bill Kunst:
this may be crazy, but what would it take for all the currently existing teams to make one order through sae headquarters so that a reasonably low cost per unit can be achieved? i dont think his is unrealistic, and it could even be included in registration fees and available upon arrival at your event. this would leave a uniform system for all comps and would let us get good a product for a great price.
bill

I think thats a pretty good idea. I would only want ours before the competition, not when we arrive.

[Dan G]

It would be more work for SAE, but a logical way to do it would be to include a "group buy" price in the 2007 registration fee, with it shipped as soon as you register. It would also be good to have an agreement with the supplier to honor a reduced price on direct single orders for the next 2-3 years.