The logistics of organising any size of sports event can cause major headaches. Walkie-talkies can make the job so much easier by providing simple, clear, and simple communication. By doing this, two-way radios can help any sports event run smoothly.
Whether it is a school sports day, the annual village hurling match, or a football international, walkie-talkies are a must. For instant communication between supervisors and staff, walkie-talkies are a simple to set up and easy-to-use solution for any sports events.
Advantages of walkie-talkies over mobile phones
In the uber-connected world of the smartphone, it is easy to dismiss walkie-talkies as an older technology. Nothing could be further from the truth.
On the surface, it might appear like mobile phones are a good communication tool for helping to manage a sports event. But dig a little deeper, and the drawbacks of mobile phones become apparent.
Here are just a few of the ways that walkie-talkies are a better option:
Walkie-talkies are simpler to set up and use
Consider this scenario – the day of the big race, and all the volunteer stewards have just arrived. Over the day, they will need to be in constant and instant communication with each other.
With mobile phones, this can mean everyone has to exchange numbers and then the user has to remember who is who, dial the number, hope the call goes through etc.
Now consider the same scenario with a set of walkie-talkies, the stewards arrive, they get handed a radio, and that’s pretty much it!
Walkie-talkies offer instant communication
As already mentioned, one of the major benefits of walkie-talkies is the instant communication they provide. Without having to scroll through contacts, dial and wait for an answer, you simply have to press the push-to-talk button, and you’re in touch.
Some models even offer one-to-one and one-to-many modes, which allows supervisors to individually chat with staff or stewards or address everyone onsite.
Robust
Look at a smartphone wrong, and the screen breaks! In a jostling crowd, accidents are bound to happen. Many walkie-talkies are designed to operate in the harshest of environments and can easily cope with the demands of operating in crowded environments in even the worse of the Irish weather.
Battery life is also a big plus. Unlike smartphones which on busy days will likely need to be charged at least once, and probably more walkie-talkies will operate all day on one charge. The Motorola T82 Extreme is a great example of how a walkie-talkie can operate all day. This model has a battery life of up to 18hrs.
No reliance on a mobile signal
Once again, the stewards turn up for the annual cross-country race. They have to man checkpoints dotted along the route. Mobile numbers are exchanged, and the stewards head off to their allocated station. Unfortunately, this being the countryside, the mobile signal is temperamental.
Walkie-talkies don’t rely on mobile signals to work and, with ranges up to several miles, can maintain communication over long distances no matter how remote the location is.
Walkie-talkies are cost-effective
Even when hosting large sports events, walkie-talkies are a cost-effective solution. For comparison, a reasonable smartphone will cost several hundred Euros, whereas a set of 6 Motorola Talkabout T62 Walkie-talkies with batteries, belt clips, and chargers will cost less than a single smartphone.
These are just a few of the advantages of walkie-talkies compared to mobile phones, but mobile phones also bring unique advantages when running a sports event.
Why walkie-talkies are essential for Sports Event Communications
Organising the smooth running of a sports event could be likened to performing a juggling act – whilst walking a tightrope! There is so much to be monitored, crowd control, hospitality, management, medical, centre, games officials and players. The list is endless.
Fluid communication that can adapt to changing circumstances and emergencies as they arrive is critical. Sports Walkie-Talkie and headsets are the perfect tool to achieve this and can do so whilst remaining easy to use. This simplicity is key to the smooth running of any sports event.
All the independent departments must operate as a whole if the event is to run smoothly. Walkie-talkies facilitate this. With one-to-one or one-to-many communication modes, two-way radios allow the instant communication of information to the relevant parties at the press of a button.
They are also critical for effective crowd control. Stewards have a tough and unenviable job when it comes to safely coordinating the movements of a crowd. This is simplified with the use of walkie-talkies, and with the addition of a hands-free mic and headset, the job gets even easier!
The Final Whistle
And there we have it! We have got to the end of the match without a hitch, and it’s all thanks to effective communication! Walkie-talkies are the perfect match for any size of sports event. Simple to use and set up, they offer crystal clear lines of communication throughout the entire sports event.
If you want to know more about how walkie-talkies can benefit your sports event, then Lynn Communications can help. Contact us today and chat with one of our team of experts.
