Hi guys

I already listen in to the ref's during televised matches, using a normal scanner.

However, does anyone know either what equipment I would need to listen to the non-televised matches, or at least what system of encoding/encryption they have started to use?

It would be good to know what the guys are saying in all matches, not just the ones that Sky need access to.

Thanks

Breaker breaker niner

Red Hall are still working with a paper cup & piece of string system.

"What the b@@@@y hell happened there Steve"

"No idea Phil. Just guess. That's what I always do"

Something quite like this happened in the Bradford v Halifax cup game this year

A digital scanner should work pretty well. Just have to scan the airwaves when you are there. However encryption on radio equipment is pretty cheap and cheerful now so you may struggle. Judging by the RFL perfomance on other things though you should be able to pick it up.

Thanks mate, but these are the things I need to clarify.

I already know that they use frequencies around 820MHz for televised games, but it's the non-televised stuff I'm after, which uses a different system.

I have a standard scanner (an old Pro-96), but I want to know EXACTLY what I need before I go and spend a few hundred pounds on something new, considering that this is the only thing that I would be using it for.

I was led to believe a while ago that they might be using DStar encryption, but I never had confirmation.

If it is simply digital, I should be OK, but if it's DStar, then I would need to buy something like an Icom IC-92AD, which costs about £400, so it's not something I just want to rush in to.

If anyone has any contacts either in Red Hall or (even better) the guys that rig the ref's up to the mic's, I'd be extremely grateful for any info you can get.

Thanks

Are the ref's definitely mic'd up at non-televised games?

Yep, referee and assistants are mic'd up and there really is no need for the flags.

What about the support being able to understand whats going on?

I too listen on a standard bearcat scanner and it is frustrating that they have changed the system.

I spoke to the Company who supplied the new system and they were rather cagey when questioned on how I could listen to it, they insisted that as it was digital the scrambling was unbreakable ( yeah, right ) I suspect that it will be a standard digital scrambler but like you, don't want to fork out the readies until I know for sure.

Interestingly, speaking to the same Company, they said that the RFL was in discussion about the refcall system, to make it available for everyone with a fiver to spend on a purpose built radio, but were unsure if they were going ahead with it yet.

The scanner is best option though as you get the touch judges and fourth official also.

If I hear anything, I will be on here shouting it out.

CD

EDIT - DIDN'T MEAN TO POST THAT ON HERE