MTBO Champs
The Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships held in Canberra from the 17 October to 20 October 2024 was the first big real test for meshO - and we can report that it was a great success!
With 5 different maps, and some very unique challenges, it was a great proving ground for the technology. We had torrential rain at one event, very large distances to cover at another, and the full gamut of terrain from open and clear to dense and hilly. We learnt a lot about how the devices work in a competition setting, and will use these lessons to improve the product.
The meshO radios were used to provide both a record of which participants had started and finished as well as providing updates for the results screens and commentary.
Despite its success, we did face a few challenges, particularly with the durability of the 3D-printed base plates and the limits of radio signal range at the Stringybark map. Several base plates broke during the event, but a new, stronger design is already in testing to address the weak points. Additionally, lessons learned about optimal radio placement will be incorporated into future documentation, ensuring better reliability and coverage at future events.
And it was the first public appearance of o-screens by meshO Live. These results screens show both radio control punches and final times in a very clean and neat way, perfect for TV screens at events. They are remotely controlled and continuously update!
Here’s a quick screen grab of the network diagnostic tool showing the radio controls and the links between them at the Kowen event. It does look a bit messy, but from an organisers perspective we got good coverage over long distances and the mesh network worked how it should.
