Football Coach Communications (NFL? NCAA?)

[CryptoJoe]

Can we listen to the coaches communicate, they are clearly using radio devices. This question was asked in the Maryland forum, but it’s a good national question. I think I know the answer, but I’m not 100% sure. I think that football comms are encrypted. Just think about it, if the other coach had a scanner, he'd know all the plays! That is too bad if it is, it would be really cool to listen to.

 

[SlipNutz15]

I watched a big thing on this on TV one day. There is NO way anyone can listen to them because they are encrypted and the encrpytion changes like every two seconds or something to that effect. That way neither team can hear each other or other people be able to listen to the communications between the coach and the box

 

[CryptoJoe]

Man, football is for losers, what are they afraid of, taking a sack? You don't see that happening in NASCAR, these guys don’t care if the other team hears their tire strategy. Just kidding btw, I figured as much, just figured I'd ask. Actually, the real reason is so they can sell it as an add on to NFL Sunday ticket on direct TV or my digital cable package, oh yeah, just kidding again, like I would know!

 

[loumaag]

Real sports (like baseball) don't allow the use of radios to communicate.

 

[Admin0140434]

Real sports (like baseball) don't allow the use of radios to communicate.

arent you a moderator for a RADIO COMMUNICATIONS site? your suppose to support us damnit!!!

just kidding...

 

[CryptoJoe]

Getting off the subject, but, ring finger to nose, index and middle to left ear, thumbs up and down. I bet they wish they had radios sometimes.

One rule in baseball is they aren't allowed to have monitors in the dugout because it makes it to easy to see the catchers pitch signals from the outfield cameras. Maybe, with football, they could lighten up, and make a simple rule like that, but for scanners on the sideline or the coaches booth. Then use simple radio comms that the fans can monitor, giving us yet another angle of enjoyment. Hmm, pipe dream.

 

[mkewman]

they don't always encrypt, at least in NCAA

a few years ago i stumbled upon the signal while searching the FM dial for the gamecast.

they just use play numbers and codewords like "blue 42", the qb looks on his wristband playbook for the number and letter in the huddle.

i'm sure it's changed since then, they probably use VHF now.

UPDATE:
i just called my buddy whose an NCAA trainer, he says that not all the teams encrypt, but the signals are very low power. he says that some teams use "little black boxes" (i assume jerry rigged radios that the school's engineering school put together lol) and some use plain old walkie talkies.

interesting no?

 

[SlipNutz15]

NFL for sure is encrypted but as far as other college teams and whatnot, I cannot answer that

 

[kingpin]

Popular mechanics had a VERY in depth article on their radio system a few months ago and it was very infomative. It did say the comms were encrypted and there were MANY frequencies that they were using. They were mostly UHF... but, why bother trying to listen? Just enjoy the game!

 

[kingpin]

Here's a link to the article.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/telecom/1364151.html

Says they juggled over 1200 frequencies!

 

[harryshute]

http://forums.radioreference.com/prairies-pacific-coast/182743-cfl-football-radio-comms.html

Some of you may want to check out this CFL/NHL thread.
Harry