License Free Radio Modems

The Only Wireless Modem Designed for
the Punishment of a Hydroplane Racing Environment

Unpublished article
by David Mhoon
Manager of Sales and Marketing
Data-Linc Group

Racing Radios: As Tough As It Gets

The following story is intended to illustrate
the industrial grade quality of Data-Linc Group products.

Pico American Dream, built and operated by Lealand Unlimited, uses Data-Linc SRM6000 radio modems to send vital real-time information from the on-board computer to the crew in the pits. Shock-mounted and encased in a special NEMA-4X enclosure, the SRM6000 is designed to take a beating.

In the world of motor sports, Unlimited Hydroplane Racing is in a class by itself. Thanks to its ability to ride on a cushion of air created by the body of the boat—which basically acts as a wing—an Unlimited Hydroplane is considered the fastest calm water boat in the world, cruising along at speeds exceeding 200 MPH.

That’s One Rough Ride...

Because of the wear and tear incurred at such high speeds, the equipment on Hydroplanes doesn’t last very long. In fact, most Hydroplanes are no longer equipped with instruments in the cockpit—not only because the driver doesn’t have time to look at them, but also due to their expense and tendency to fail in action.

The Data-Linc Solution

Luckily, there is a way around this problem —thanks to "radio telemetry," the latest trend in radio communications. For several years now, most racing teams have been using on-board computers to collect data and feed their crews information on the boat’s performance, in the hopes that they could fine-tune the boat to gain an edge on the next guy. However, until recently, this valuable performance data could only be retrieved after the boat was brought back to shore. Now, with the help of Data-Linc Group’s SRM6000 Radio Modem, Hydroplane racing teams can monitor a boat’s performance as it happens during the race or trial.

SRM6000: "One Tough Cookie"

Shock-mounted and encased in a special NEMA-4X enclosure, the SRM6000 is designed to take a beating. Naturally, the daredevils of the Hydroplane racing world were skeptical. The initial reaction of one crew chief: "It’s nice, but don’t be surprised if we break it...we usually do." He and his colleagues have been down this road before. Radio modems had been tested previously with little success. Obviously, nothing could stand up to the 10+ Gs of force that the boat is subjected to as it bounces across the water at over 200 MPH. Or so it seemed...

Seeing is Believing

Consider the Pico American Dream, built and operated by Lealand Unlimited, and the Budweiser, built and operated by Hydroplanes Northwest. The crews of these Unlimited Hydroplane racers are using the SRM6000 to obtain vital information from the onboard computer on the spot...so the results can be put to work and hopefully better the boat’s chances of taking home a trophy at the next race.

With the Data-Linc SRM6000 units installed on the Pico American Dream and Budwiser, our advanced technology was put to the test. As the weekend of racing came to a close, we received a phone call from—who else—our skeptical crew chief. He told us that the SRM6000 worked flawlessly at 9600 BPS (later increased to 57.6 kbps) and praised the modem as an invaluable tool for the crew team. The biggest surprise reported was the modem’s unbelievable durability. The unit showed no signs of damage from the pounding endured from the rough waters plaguing all teams that weekend. And even at 200 MPH, and a range of 1.5 to 2 miles, the modem connection was rock solid.

Since then, the driver of the Pico American Dream has shifted to the Budweiser team. One of his first action items? The purchase of a set of SRM6000 radio modems for the Miss Bud.

Leader of the Pack

Thanks to the racing experiment, we learned that our radio modem is indeed a leader in its field. And if the SRM6000 can withstand the relentless conditions of the Hydroplane racing world, it’s more than capable of maintaining a reliable communications path in common industrial applications.

As the sport of Hydroplane racing gets more competitive, we will continue to take the technology to the next level—and have some more fun along the way.

See other harsh environment applications