Official 2014 SS Georgia Rally Info SSGR14 thread

[Smokinyoda]

The friendly greeting most likely was our very own world famous Walmart greater, Mr. Steve Bradley.

Surely not, Steve would never be gruff... lol
Like I said before, not complaining but when something negative is the FIRST thing you hear it kinda sets the tone for the rest of the day. Especially for someone new, whos not familiar with his "style".

I would say if we're ever in a point where we have no PA, perhaps we should bring along a dry erase board. That way the trail leads and MKT can update things for all to see.

Now that is a great idea! As times change the PA could be used for updates, but having basic guidelines in writing on the board would be a big help. As mentioned we stayed at D town (as many others did) so the PA did us no good. If we could have shown up every morning and seen a brief outline on the dry erase board we could have planned the day better.

And does anyone have a total on how many trucks were in the hardball convoy? I lost count.

 

[Whiterabbit]

Ok,you can't say a PA system issue caused the hickups. What good is a PA to everyone camping in the woods and in the cabins where you can't hear it? You can't expect folks to just sit at the CP waiting for something to happen or jump through their a$$ when they happen to spot some trucks fixing to roll out. Several folks felt it was very frustrating and some first time attendees complained of the lack of any planning or good communication.
I'll definitely be there next year but I hope it is a little more organized and a little more thought is given to those who don't sit all day at vendor field.

 

[phil2968]

... whos not familiar with his "style". ...

You mean this style!

 

[patracy]

Ok,you can't say a PA system issue caused the hickups. What good is a PA to everyone camping in the woods and in the cabins where you can't hear it? You can't expect folks to just sit at the CP waiting for something to happen or jump through their a$$ when they happen to spot some trucks fixing to roll out. Several folks felt it was very frustrating and some first time attendees complained of the lack of any planning or good communication.
I'll definitely be there next year but I hope it is a little more organized and a little more thought is given to those who don't sit all day at vendor field.

So, do you have any ideas on how to mass broadcast "dinners ready" or "trail ride in 30" that can be done to cover the woods, vendor lot, campground area, exc.

Remember, we're talking hundreds/thousands of people, thousands of acres, no cell phone service for the most part, no wifi...

I'm all ears, but I don't see a means of communication without some sort of expensive infrastructure to cover it.

About the only way I could even think to tackle that might be a group text thing. But that'd be spotty at best with no wifi to push the texts and let alone the non existent coverage of some people's cell carriers out there. And I'll have to check to see what something like that would cost. (Again, the SS GA rally is ran only by donations, SS LLC does not provide anything for this or any of the rallies)

 

[TMNT]

The weak and missing communications infrastructure at Durhamtown is a problem. It was made even worse by the loss of Durhamtown's radio repeater due to lightning.

Given the very large area involved, I think the idea of a status and information board located near the registration tent is probably a step in the right direction. I'll volunteer to provide the big board and do the updates. I might even be able to do an orientation for new folks to avoid some of the confusion that might otherwise develop.

I wouldn't mind setting up a map of the area to indicate the locations of key facilities and the area for each of the trail rides.

 

[bchauvette]

I've seen major cell carriers with mobile cell tower trailers. Maybe one like Verizon could furnish one for promotional consideration. That would allow for broadcast 411

So, do you have any ideas on how to mass broadcast "dinners ready" or "trail ride in 30" that can be done to cover the woods, vendor lot, campground area, exc.

Remember, we're talking hundreds/thousands of people, thousands of acres, no cell phone service for the most part, no wifi...

I'm all ears, but I don't see a means of communication without some sort of expensive infrastructure to cover it.

About the only way I could even think to tackle that might be a group text thing. But that'd be spotty at best with no wifi to push the texts and let alone the non existent coverage of some people's cell carriers out there. And I'll have to check to see what something like that would cost. (Again, the SS GA rally is ran only by donations, SS LLC does not provide anything for this or any of the rallies)

 

[patracy]

I've seen major cell carriers with mobile cell tower trailers. Maybe one like Verizon could furnish one for promotional consideration. That would allow for broadcast 411

Something of that nature would require multiple carriers since Verizon alone has it's own network isolated from most. I doubt they'd furnish a mobile tower for our event, unless we paid them.

 

[andy3]

Most of the carriers also have small boosters that are free or cheap for their subscribers that can add a few hundred foot diameter cell tower that ties into a wifi network. If Dtown's wifi is up next year I'll bring one for T-Mobile.

 

[ThunderCracker]

I would focus the information on something near the registration tent. I would not worry about trying to cover the whole area. The attendees should be able to drive over and be able to check the whiteboard for example and then decide what they want to do that day or half day. It's understood that things change, run late, etc. This was my second year so I knew how most of the things worked but understand how a first timer would be lost. I think the best idea is a large white board with info about the people in charge, meal times, ride times and who the trail boss will be, other info as deemed important, maybe the weather for that day, etc.

 

[patracy]

Most of the carriers also have small boosters that are free or cheap for their subscribers that can add a few hundred foot diameter cell tower that ties into a wifi network. If Dtown's wifi is up next year I'll bring one for T-Mobile.

Even though last year the wifi was working, they have a single connection and bandwidth was very low. Set up a cell booster that backbones over the web and you'll put their wifi network on it's knees. BTW, there's three APs/repeaters to get to us from the main office to the field.

 

[Coffey1]

I vote white board it was nice not hearing this phone go off for 3 days

 

[bchauvette]

I think we are too far on the flexibility side. Maybe we need to swing more to the set schedule with some plus and minus. This may be due to the increasing size.

Yes, it changes, however an overall plan helps keep all on track with goals. We can talk some more, but no reason not to have a schedule. I did note that changes were likely.

Something simple like 9:00, 14:00, 20:00 for trail rides. They never leave early, so it might just involve someone waiting, but at least there is some ideas of when. Same with MKT, I'm sure Mike has goals and we could publish them.

 

[gametender]

I know it may sound old fashioned but what if we have some white boards set up? We could put one at the cabin area and one by the registration. That way we can plan trail rides ahead of time and get them written down so people know. If we plan trail rides ahead of time and get them written down early it gives people time to check them and prepare. As far as the dinner announcements.... not sure yet.

 

[TMNT]

Wireless is the business I'm in and I build cellular networks for all of the carriers. The temporary towers referred to above are called COWs, or Cell On Wheels. They are carrier specific and really expensive to deploy. The biggest problem with using COWs out there at D'Town is the lack of transport for connecting it to the rest of the network.

Hopefully D'Town will have their WiFi repaired and operating next year. There again, the transport facility is very bandwidth limited. Wireless signal coverage could be perfect and we would still have only a meg or two of bandwidth to support hundreds of users. I don't expect that problem to be resolved anytime soon.

 

[TMNT]

Just some more thoughts on the info board:

1. Trail ride schedules are very likely to change due to a variety of factors including weather, mechanical issues, and recovery delays. A fixed and published schedule would fall apart very quickly. The trail ride schedule is dynamic and would be best served by a white board that could be easily and frequently updated.

2. Only one white board at some specific and obvious location. More than one is difficult to keep synchronized. Everyone would know where "The Board" was located, and that one controlled source would and should be highly reliable. (No "oops, I forgot to update that other board" problems.)

3. The board should have schedules for trail rides and meals, including some detail like the name of the trail leader and meal menu for that day, and the weather forecast. The location could serve as Lost and Found, and provide messaging services. The message service would be a place where you could leave a "I'm looking for..." or "Meet me at...." kind of messages.

4. The "Information Center" would be able to take some load off of the Registration Tent.

5. The accuracy and reliability of the posted information must be maintained. Bad information is worse than no information. The board should be maintained by one person that collects and verifies the information, and then updates the board.

Should the powers that be decide to adopt this idea, I volunteer my services to be the info guy, and I can provide the board, the canopy, lights, etc. as needed.

 

[Whiterabbit]

I agree with Wheelspinner and TMNT. Just have some set times for the key events posted. When you show up at the rally you can make note of anything you would want to participate in and plan accordingly. Kinda' sux returning from an ice,fuel,food run and always missing something. Seems like a listed schedule of events would reduce frustration and allow you to plan your day.
The PA is fine for the rally event site. Just turn one speaker towards the camping area in back. You couldn't hear it back there.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Lets not plan anything based on what Durhamtown might do. Dry erase board (s) seem to be the answer right now. I would lean towards 4 boards. 2 at the RT tent. One for official stuff and one for members use, one at the MKT and one at the lodge makes sense. Maybe. 5th in the vendors field that we can map out and mark which ventors are there.

 

[gametender]

I agree with you TNT that's why I also suggested a white board that can be updated etc

 

[Whiterabbit]

A dry erase board is good but you have to put something on it otherwise it's just a whiteboard.

 

[andy3]

I recommend the wet erase markers. Much more practical for outdoors.
This is a good and constructive post event Start, stop, continue.