Transponders
 

Hello, my Son is racing a Mardave at a local club. We are using the clubs provided Transponders but have had at least 3 failures in a couple of Months. Last night he won a Final but he diddnt record a lap. He is 11 so could do with him enjoying a rare victory.
So i see 2 types the AMB and MRT. The latter is cheaper so is it inferiour? and basically can anyone tell me the differences. Thanks for your time. Chris.

My understanding is that...(please correct me if I am wrong)

Mrt sell you a transponder, but no id (you have to provide your ID that you already have)

AMB sell you a transponder + an ID

no mrt do them with there own range of numbers to

AMB transponders have their own UNIQUE ID (the PT Number).

There are basically three types of MRT transponder:

The first have either 10 or 20 preset numbers which take the place of a handout transponder (you press the button on it to get the number you need).

The second have a PT number which is 'cloned' from an AMB transponder, so it has the same number as one that you own already.

The third type have an ID (the same as a PT number). This means there is a remote possibility of a clash, though, as there are 7 numbers there are 10 to the power of 7 combinations for the numbers to take. So, 10000000 different combinations.

it could be the location in the car thats messing with the signal. each car is different and the positions i have been informed is very relevant. I had mine inside my shell above cells and power cables and it wasnt workin very well, i then moved it to another location but not the same angle and i was informed by officials with teh brca that the signal is directional and it just didnt send towards the loop.

now i have it mounted on the rear wing where there is no power interferance and where it aims down. only problem is now i could loose the wing and the bug.

As a club official that deals with the systems, i can say that i normally modify the results to include missing laps, and fully understand how your son can be feeling. its these wins that helps keep interest in the sport

Thanks Marvin !

So final important question where/how to get an MRT ?

http://www.team-mrt.com/ :D

www.rclaps.com :p

I should have explained that I know those website... but they seem broken

# Try buying a R9984 by clicking "buy" on rclaps.com
# It transfers you to http://www.team-mrt.com/mrtwebshop/
# then click "buy" again
# it says "out of stock"

Same behaviour for all the rclaps products I tried a couple of weeks ago

Any clue how to buy one ?

Hi, thanks to all members for the info. From the replies it appears to be as safe to purchase either brand. Again thanks for your time. Chris.

Yep, both fine, but I can't find a way of buying the MRT one either, out of stock!?

Do AMB only sell direct, where is best to get those?

welll www.demonpowerproducts.co.uk normally stock both but are currently out of stock.
I'm sure taht other modelshops would stock the AMB too.

Not only "currently". They have been for a while.

I wonder if there is a subtle way to buy them

Maybe give Nick at Demon a call and ask him if he knows what's going on?

You've had some good advice in the thread so far but you need to be sure which type of lapcounting system your club is using!

Most clubs use AMB. There are two AMB systems - black club transponders is the old AMB20 system. Red ones is the current AMBrc system.

There may also still be some clubs using the KO transponder system or maybe even another system altogether!

AMB's own personal transponder is only compatible with AMBrc.

MRT do two kinds of personal transponder. One is a clone of the AMBrc transponder. The other is a personal version of the AMB20 transponder.

One thing you need to be aware of with the MRT clones is that they do not have their own unique numbers, all the numbers are cloned from already manufactured AMB transponders. This does mean that there is a small risk of transponder clashes although it is very unlikely to happen unless someone has had their transponder cloned, then sold the original on, or if someone has forgotten to switch their MRT transponder to a different preset number.

AMB transponders are available in the UK from www.bbksoftware.com and also direct from AMB in Holland www.amb-it.com

The main club he race's at uses the latest amb system so it's compatable with both :D

I have phoned Demon Products and he said he`ll give them a ring tonight so check back tomorrow.... he didn`t sound happy mind

Andy

Not happy about what? You asking?

Nick seldom sounds happy over the phone:D,
but don't let that put you off, both myself and others I know have received honest and reliable service from Demon for many years:) ...(and no I'm not sponsored or biased in any way;) )

Yeh i think thats all it is, and i`ve used demon acouple of times and i`m well happy with there price and customer service its excellent just think i wasn`t the first to have asked him about transponders thats all.

On the transponder issue i`ve recieved an email from someone at MRT and they have said stock will be in at the end of the month:)

Andy