Cold resort district radio information systems

Skiing ground information broadcast, ski school instruction system, racing measurement system, picture transmission system and ski patrol contact system were experimented in 1989-1990. At present, ski school instruction system is in practice, and skiing ground information broadcast provides a prototype of sightseeing guide broadcast and local area community information broadcast. In consideration of these experiments and practice, several problems are mentioned as follows. (1) Skiing ground information broadcast: Among similar systems, the one permitted legally at present is 1620 kHz road traffic information service dealing with transportation and road conditions. Skiers in the skiing resort make great request for guide information service, and early systematization of this system is expected. The authorities of the telecommunication bureau are considering that the system must be practiced as a VHF-FM broadcast. (2) Ski school instruction system: as two to twenty ski classes are held on the same slope at the same time, when all of them use radio, it is necessary for each class to maintain its own channel. Besides, there are problems to be examined about that assignment of frequency for sports instruction. The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of Japan assigned 8 channels in the UHF wave band. Another problem is how to use two kinds of communication types such as one-way broadcasting and two-way transmission for students' skill in skiing. (3) Racing measurement system: In order to be permitted in international sporting events on equal terms with a wired network, it should be considered to reinforce the foundation for high reliability and high function. However, at informal race and usual training, this system is very useful because the system fully reliable and the equipments set up and withdrawal are both very easy. (4) Picture transmission system: Concerning a simple station, there are two problems as to reliability during the severe cold and countermeasure of power supplies for outdoor moving. (5) Ski patrol contact system: Some skiing grounds have used this system. It is expected to become more popular by making good use of previous experiences and improving both sides of hardware and software.