[ARDF] GPS on course?

[Vadim Afonkin (Comcast)]

I am with you Marvin.

Vadim
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marvin Johnston" <marvin at rain.org>
To: <Freyra at aol.com>
Cc: <ardf at kkn.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 10:26 PM
Subject: Re: [ARDF] GPS on course?


>
> Normally, I also just read. At the discussion on Saturday morning after
> the US Championships, we were talking about ways to increase
> participation. We also talked about helping spectators to be more
> involved. One of the methods was similar to what was done in the Czech
> Republic where the Epunch results were radioed to the finish and
> displayed on the screen. The same thing could be done if the armband GPS
> units were able to transmit the results to the finish using perhaps APRS
> protocol.
>
> My thoughts are usually oriented towards increasing participation, and
> this is no exception. GPS could prove useful for getting more people
> involved by being able to see what routes the competitors are taking.
> This could also easily be used for Orienteering competitiors.
>
> Personally, I am not concerned about anyone thinking this is
> inappropriate unless they also have some very good reasons. I had a few
> problems with some people in the orienteering community thinking ARDF
> was inappropriate when I first got involved. I took their concerns into
> account, but kept at it. I haven't heard any real objections now for a
> couple of years. Some (most?) people tend to resist change :).
>
> Marvin
>
>
>
> >
> > Normally I just read all the eMail and seldom reply, however this seems
rediculous.
> >
> > So my thoughts:  I think they are really neat for TRAINING but NOT at an
official event. There will always be someone who thinks them not appropriate
or an
> > aid. Why risk a problem? Why risk discontent? Stay with the RULE leave
the &%$ thing home.
> >
> > Bob
> >
> > In a message dated 8/11/2005 3:03:05 PM Eastern Standard Time,
marvin at rain.org writes:
> >
> >
> >
> >      Marvin Johnston wrote:
> >      >
> >      > I would like to see the use of the armband type of training GPS
> >      > receivers allowed. Jay Hennigan has used that type of GPS on a
number of
> >      > the practice hunts held in So. California.  It is really pretty
> >      > enlightening to see the route that was taken along with
statistics such
> >      > as elevation climb, heart rate, maximum speed, speed at different
> >      > portions of the course, etc.
> >      >
> >      > If there is indeed a concern about the GPS units being used for
> >      > navigation, how about just putting a seal over the display? I
would
> >      > really like to see the top seeds in each class use one of these
as I
> >      > think it would provide some training aids for the rest of us.
> >      >
> >      > Marvin
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >      > "Kenneth E. Harker" wrote:
> >      > >
> >      > >      The rules for the 2005 IARU R2 meet included a rule: "The
use of GPS
> >      > > receivers for navigation is not allowed. It is considered
receiving
> >      > > assistance."
> >      > >
> >      > >      Should the rule go a little further and ban the presence
of GPS units
> >      > > (or cell phones, etc.) on course altogether?  The question is,
is there
> >      > > any sort of legitimate use of a GPS on course during the meet?
One that would
> >      > > outweigh the burden placed upon juries to decide whether or not
a GPS unit
> >      > > was "used for navigation" after discovering that someone
brought a GPS with
> >      > > them on course?  Is it a good idea to create a situation where
the jury has
> >      > > to decide whether or not to trust that someone didn't cheat?
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