Another great example of our Wireless Point to Point system saving time and improving safety.
A local shooting club recently approached up for help with a remote-control warning flag solution.
All shooting ranges have strict safety requirements that includes warning flags. This shooting club had multiple entry points so needed two warning flags and wanted to improve range officer safety by remotely controlling of the flags. The club location is rural but is also adjacent to a road and the flags need to be mounted about 320m and 420m from the club house.
A feedback signal is also needed to confirm that each flag is fully extended.
The flag actuator module and 12V DC supply were supplied by the club. A normally open limit switch was also provided, which closes on full flagpole extension. This switch is wired into a digital input of the WP2P module.
Typically, WP2P systems are supplied as a matched pair of modules. However, there are two custom options available each allowing up to four modules to be used. The I/O is then automatically mapped between the modules. These options are called “star” and “star blast” and they have different I/O mapping depending to match your project requirements.
This shooting range project is suited to the WP2P star blast option. By using the QTech WP2P star blast system, the flag operator can now safely operate the flags from the club room and a green light indicates when the flags are fully extended.
The items required for this project are:
Qty 3x WP2P Modules – Part Number PD8810E – Configured as “star blast”
Qty 2x DC power lead (for flagpole WP2P modules) – Part Number CB-QDR-PWR
Qty 1x Power supply Plug Pack – Part Number PD5412 (for the club room)
Qty 3x 900MHz Whip antennas – Part Number PD9241
The WP2P star blast option is a popular choice and gives the following automatic mapping of the I/O. This project only used 2 slave modules but can be extended to the 3 shown below.
Click here for more info on the WP2P and star blast options.
Of course, our popular 4G SMS Lite can also perform this type of control and monitoring requirement by sending text messages. However, this was not a preferred option for this customer.
Please contact us to discuss remote control shooting range warning flags or for more information.
This link contains important safety requirements and key extracts are provided below:
https://www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz
There must be a sign at the main entrance to a shooting range and any secondary or alternate access point to the range. Signage must contain the range or range complex name, contact details for the shooting club or shooting range operator.
Shooting ranges must fly a large RED warning flag to indicate that the range is in use. The flag must be of a size and condition to stand out and be visible from the access point to the range. The flag must be flown from a flagpole at a height that can be easily seen. The flag should be a minimum dimension of 600 mm x 1200 mm.
The flagpole needs to be in a prominent position, clearly visible to those approaching the range. If there is more than one entry point to the range and they are not visible to each other, then a flagpole is required at each entry point. The location and number of flagpoles depends on the design and layout of the range.
Flagpoles must not be placed in a location that poses a hazard to anyone operating the flags, e.g. not on a backstop where the flag operator would be exposed to fire from an adjacent range.
If the range is used for night firing activities, the red flag(s) are to be replaced by suitably visible red flashing lights.