Preakness Stakes - STA License

[wx9svr]

149th running of the Preakness Stakes
Fri, May 17, 2024 – Sat, May 18, 2024
WSCS892

ULS License - Industrial/Business Pool, Trunked License - WSCS892 - Bearcom Operating - Frequencies Summary

 

[tvengr]

That is a drop in the bucket of the total amount of radios that will be used. With a national event like that, frequency coordination is horrendous. For several years, our TV station provided all day coverage of the event in addition to the network coverage. We spent two about 18-hour days at the track. The first day we ran cables and setup cameras, microwave links, and audio at 8 different locations including the track, the stables, and the infield. I had to install a bank of UHF IFB transmitters on the roof of the clubhouse for communication with the reporters. We were required to mount the antennas at different levels and reduce the power of the transmitters to 1 watt to minimize the possibility of intermod which could interfere with the multitude of other radios. Early on the second day, we put the cameras and audio facilities back into position and did final checks before we hit the air. Once we started, I spent the day troubleshooting camera and audio problems and replacing batteries in radio microphones, audio line amps, IFB receivers, and 2-way radios. I was there the day of the Preakness when the track experienced a total loss of AC power. I was on the upper floor of the clubhouse when everything went black. It was nearly impossible to see anything, and the clubhouse was mobbed at the time. We had to work our way down by feeling the railing on the stairways. There was a mad rush to locate generators for our remote truck and the network trucks. We had 2 microwave trucks there for our main feed back to the tower at TV Hill and a backup feed to USF&G downtown. We went live from one of those trucks while waiting for a generator for our remote truck. All of the stories you have heard about activities on the infield are true. One group had a swimming pool. We could never figure out how they were able to fill it with water. There were people staggering around, laying on the ground, and leaning against buildings. I am just thankful I was still at the track when all of the drunks left to drive home. After we went off the air, we were cleaning up until about 1 AM in the morning. By the way, it is a beautiful view from the top of the candelabra tower on TV Hill. I have been up there many times working on the 2-way base station and microwave equipment.











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