The responsibility of the Corner Station Communicator is twofold:
1. Transmit information from the corner station to Control
2. Receive information from Control and advise Captain.
Who the heck is "Control", anyway? "Control" is located in Race Control. At a minimum, Race Control consists of Stewards, a Control communicator, and Recorder. An Operating Steward will be "in the chair" (in charge of), each session. They will have a backup Steward with them and together monitor the station calls and decide on how to handle situations on/off the track. The voice of Control (the Control communicator), receives calls from the various stations, EV, and other folk on the race radio network and insures that the Operating Steward understands the calls/situations. The Operating Steward will advise the Control communicator of what is to be communicated back to the Station(s), how they wish "things" to be done, when "things" are to be done, etc. All of the communications back and forth between Control and the Stations are recorded. The Recorder has the awesome responsibility of recording each communication in black and white in the "log" (a written history). The "log" is used to indicate incidents, track conditions, where pickups and their types are needed, etc. as communicated over the race network. The Recorder REALLY appreciates SIMPLE, CONSISE and ACCURATE calls from the stations.
To transmit to Control, first let them know YOU have something to say to them…"Control, this is Station 3", is a good beginning. By using this format, you inform Control that you wish to speak with them and who you are. Actually you are asking permission of Control to be acknowledged by Control. Control will reply with something like "Go ahead Station 3". You would then reply "Control, this is Station 3, we had car number four six spin off driver's left, just upstream of Station 4 and he has continued". Control will thank you and/or ask for additional information. Simple…huh, well it should be.
Simple. Calls SHOULD be KEPT simple to AND from Control. SPEAK SLOWLY. Gather the facts of what you wish to say in your head BEFORE you make the call. Make written notes to yourself (each Corner station should have a notepad).
ALWAYS describe Station numbers in numeric format ("…Station 11"), not in words.
Avoid "run-on" or "blow by blow" communications, make the fewest number of calls to describe an incident.
DO:
Be brief but descriptive, using "standard" descriptions (slid off, drove off, spun off, etc...), advise if car has proceeded or what it will require at sessions end. "Standard" phrases aid Recorders in their note taking.
In the case of an incident where a car will not continue, advise Control of the driver's condition and location (OK, still in the car, out and over the wall, on Station, etc.).
Unless it is an EMERGENCY…refrain from radio usage on Pace and First race lap. Take notes on mundane incidents and call in after first lap is completed.
Radio SILENCE during Black Flag Procedures (Control should announce when Driver has acknowledged, pitted or Black Flag Procedure is over)
If a backup flag is needed from an upstream station, request the flag from the station directly, not thru Control ("Backup waving yellow at four, please"). Don't waste time trying to see if upstream station has put out a flag, ASK FOR IT. Communicator on the station being asked to display a backup flag should, first, insure flag is displayed, then, confirm to Control that the flag is displayed ("four confirms waving yellow"). Once the need for an upstream back-up flag has past, advise the upstream Station that they may drop their flag.
If you have multiple calls...(numerous, unrelated spins), advise Control you have multiple calls, wait for Control to ask you to continue, or "Hold". When cleared to make call, pause between each individual call for Control to ask you to continue (this temporarily opens the net for any urgent call to be made). Advise Control you are making the last call of any multiple call.
If the CAPTAIN determines an incident may require race stoppage, the Station Communicator should advise Control of the situation, giving details (circumstances, track blockage, etc...), and state "The Captain advises, the race be stopped". This gives the Operating Steward the information necessary to decide on the course of action to take.
Black Flags or Meatballs, MAY be shown at Start/Finish ONLY. Cars will be "called by" by Stations upstream of Start/Finish only.
When "calling a certain car by", give the car's number, color and it's position in the pack. "Green car number one two by Station 11 now, third in a pack of 5".
Land Lines are found at permanent racing facilities. The Station Communicator is tethered to a junction box where the headset is plugged into. Generally follow the same procedures you would, as if you were using FM radios. The big difference is that more than one person can talk, and be heard, at the same on a Land Line. While this means you don't have to wait until someone else quits talking to talk yourself, you should wait until the net is clear to make your communication. Being able to "talk over" (or yell over), someone else is advantageous when you have an Emergency call to make…just do it!