Kits
-
Topic created by twalsh on Sun Apr 5, 2015 at 11:48 amApparently DVOA is back to having two kits since things are being consolidated with the e-punches. If that is so, the five kits are surperfluous. Why have separate kits for the administrative materials. Consolidating all of the material eliminates event directors having to go to multiple places to get all of the material needed for their event.
-
Reply by twalsh on Sun Apr 5, 2015 at 3:15 pmBoth epunch sets now reside with Ron. Do we need to create two more epunch sets and have them reside with someone on the East side of our region?
-
Reply by edscott on Sun Apr 5, 2015 at 5:05 pmIt would be nice, but very costly to buy two more complete epunch kits. I'd estimate over 10K/kit. Sandy Fillebrown might be able to provide a closer estimate.
-
Reply by Sandy on Sun Apr 5, 2015 at 7:35 pmIt would be roughly $7000 for 50 controls plus 2 master stations (for registration and download) plus a time master. Then there would be a computer, a printer, a battery, stands, and so on. I would think $10,000 is a reasonable estimate. Oh, wait, we would also need about 60 rental SI-cards and they are now over $40 each so another $2500.
Although we could look into getting the pCards for half that cost - they are the flat SI-cards that you just lay on top of the control, about the size of half a credit card. They are slower and only hold about 20 punches so would need to keep that in mind when designing courses. -
Reply by twalsh on Mon Apr 6, 2015 at 7:50 pmSo how can we make running an even easier? It certainly seems technology has made things MUCH more difficult (e.g., Condes does not have an Apple version).
-
Reply by rgbortz on Mon Apr 6, 2015 at 8:14 pmLong story short........... Had a detailed reply to this thread but computer dumped it on me before finishing. The e-punch kits do not "reside" with me; they are "traveling" kits. Because the e-punch kits travel that causes many more good things to happen with respect to the administrative kits. IMHO there are numerous reasons to stay with 2 kits. Would be glad to discuss the many reasons with anyone at any time; just ask. There is no superfluousness.
-
Reply by twalsh on Tue Apr 7, 2015 at 6:06 pmThose of us who have been involved with maintaining the equipment for the club greatly appreciate the considerable time and effort Ron has expended on the club's behalf. My concern is primarily about making it as easy and stress free as we can for event directors. In the past we have needed five kits to adequately support our schedule of events. Now we have two e-kits. If two e-kits are adequate - great. It just seemed to me that we might need more. If it is just a matter of money I'd gladly donate $20,000 so the club can provide enough resources for event directors to have fewer things to worry about. It just seemed to me that if the e-kits now will have a set of controls as well, why have a separate kit of administrative equipment that the event director needs to hunt down. Why not consolidate?At this point I am not sure if the kits are now a thing of the past. We won't provide the controls anymore. Having a supply of maps seem to also be a thing of the past. Maybe at this point we migh only need two or three administrative kits and other orienteering supplies. The primary responsibility of the administrative kit holder would then be to make sure the equipment is in good order and to resupply the kits when needed. They probably would also need to have the supply of plastic bags.Is our current organization of kits obsolete?
-
Reply by edscott on Tue Apr 7, 2015 at 8:47 pmI think it is a question worth asking. There are bits of equipment and supplies that for now probably need to be stored and routed differently than the electronic gear and controls. Having some additional local supply depots for tables, road and directional signs, banners, map bags, first aid kits, etc could make it much easier for the event directors to assemble what they need. I would think getting the epunch equipment would in most cases be the responsibility of the course setter and the other equipment the responsibility of the event director. Two people and two pick up chores. Yes, we are phasing out offset printed maps.. we only have about 100,000 in stock. When those are gone or so obsolete that they are useless, that storage and transportation problem will go away. I also think the kits could be streamlined quite a bit. We tend to carry a lot of baggage in our kits that is there just because it always has been there. A couple seasons ago I took all the pin punch related things out of kit 5 and have them in a separate box for beginner events and programs. Most regular events now only need three small rubbermaid tubs in addition to the epunch kit. I agree with Tim that we are moving toward a point when we will have all the stuff needed for an event in the same kit at a single location, but I don't think we are ready yet in a practical or financial way.
-
Reply by skolins on Wed Apr 8, 2015 at 5:07 pmIn terms of administrative structure would it make sense for two sets of flags to "live" with e-punch kits. The flags generally need to be picked up by the course setter but right now move with the kits.
Maybe I am mistaken or this change has already been made, but when I course set for the first time last year I was a bit suprised that I had to pick up the e-punches from a separate person at a separate event from the flags. -
Reply by edscott on Wed Apr 8, 2015 at 7:30 pmYes each epunch kit now travels with at least as many control flags as there are epunches. The equipment and supplies that are not needed until the day of the event remain in the original 6 kits. In most cases the epunch equipment will be needed by the course setter several days before the event and the other stuff by the event director the day before of maybe even early in the morning of the event.The grey area now is map bags. We stock lots of sizes so it is not practical to have every size in every kit. Best plan is to email me to find out who has the size you want. I have a large selection here and have an up to date inventory. Mary Frank, has 3 or 4 of the most common sizes. There are probably other small stacks in basements and garages all over our area. It would be good to get those supplies back to Mary or me this spring so we don't reorder bags we don't really need yet.
-
Reply by Steve on Wed Apr 15, 2015 at 2:10 pmIf we are phasing out off-set printed maps, and we continue to have events rain or shine, would it make sense to buy more map sealers?
In the past, pink cards needed to be inserted , making sealing bags foolish, but e punching has eliminated that.
I believe most home printers are inkjets which can not be used in the wet. I could be wrong here
I think map cases should be bought for 9x15, just larger than legal size. The paper is easily available, and fits a nice 1:5K orange or brown course, or a 1:10K red or blue course
