Item: TRANSCEIVER INTERFERENCE: MESSAGING FOR THE MULTI-DEVICE BACKCOUNTRY ERA
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Title: TRANSCEIVER INTERFERENCE: MESSAGING FOR THE MULTI-DEVICE BACKCOUNTRY ERA
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2023, Bend, Oregon
Authors:
- James A. Floyer [ Avalanche Canada, Revelstoke, BC, Canada ]
- Joe Obad [ Canadian Avalanche Association, Revelstoke, BC, Canada ]
- Mary Clayton [ Avalanche Canada, Revelstoke, BC, Canada ]
- Sarah Taylor [ Avalanche Canada, Revelstoke, BC, Canada ]
- Brian Lazar [ Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Boulder, CO, USA ]
- Mark Staples [ USDA Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA ]
- Dallas Glass [ USDA Forest Service Northwest Avalanche Center, Seattle, WA, USA ]
- Simon Trautman [ USDA Forest Service National Avalanche Center, Bellingham, WA, USA ]
Date: 2023-10-08
Abstract: It has long been established that avalanche transceivers are susceptible to electromagnetic interference from nearby electrical and electronic devices. The historical approach was to ignore this issue or direct users to switch off their devices. More recently the so-called 20/50 rule (20 cm when transmitting, 50 cm when searching) has guided placement of transceivers in relation to electronics carried on one's person. Over the past decade there has been a rapid increase in the number of electronic devices being marketed to and used by backcountry travelers. These include smartphones, satellite messengers, fan-powered avalanche airbag packs, VHF radios, on-person video cameras, drones, smartwatches, wireless earphones, speakers, heated clothing, and more. While some devices such as heated gloves do warrant special consideration, directing users to switch all their devices off wastes time, ignores entrenched user behaviour patterns, and doesn't account for the operational benefits of these devices. A significant challenge in addressing user education around interference has been the sparse and uncoordinated communications between avalanche educators and transceiver manufacturers. This has led to inconsistent public messaging in public outreach and educational settings. In the fall of 2022, a group representing the interests of both recreational and professional backcountry users in North America came together with avalanche transceiver and avalanche airbag manufacturers to consider how to improve awareness and messaging associated with this issue. The group committed to finding collaborative solutions that would result in better and more consistent information reaching end users in both public and professional realms. This paper describes the framework the group built to address contemporary issues with transceiver interference and the working groups that emerged to focus on specific aspects of the issue. The paper focuses on one of the key deliverables: basic recreational-level messaging. It describes how the group was able to reaffirm the core 20/50 rule, while limiting exceptions only to common devices known to affect outcomes. For the first time, manufacturers and educators collaborated to develop practical advice related to interference and snowmobiles. Finally, the paper explains how specific language and precise graphics were used to create clear, straightforward, and accurate advice.
Object ID: ISSW2023_P2.61.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): James Floyer
Keywords: avalanche transceiver, interference, EMI, public communication
Page Number(s): 1004 - 1008
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