PUEBLO, CO – The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) are using wireless technology from Lectrosonics to overcome the challenges posed by dirt, dust and moisture.
Created in 1992, PBR attracts over 1.5 million live event attendees each year with its events. Clayton Cullen, the PBR's senior vice president of production, noted the organization's recent switch to Lectrosonics' Digital Hybrid Wireless technology to meet its unique needs.
"Flint Rasmussen is our entertainer," said Cullen. "The modern day equivalent of the rodeo's old ‘barrel man,' or clown, Flint is tasked with filling in any lulls in the action and keeping the audience engaged. During our shows, he runs, dances, rolls in the dirt, jumps across the ‘shark cage' and runs up to the top of the arena among the crowds. He's routinely out there with a bull, so things can get pretty crazy.
"Not only is he communicating with the audience, he's also communicating with our staff so that he can be advised when to extend or cut his routine short, such as for a commercial break," Cullen said. "For this, he wears both a wireless microphone transmitter and an IFB (Interruptible Feedback) system."
Since February, Rasmussen has been outfitted with a Lectrosonics REFUM Digital Hybrid Wireless Referee Transmitter System mated to a Countryman ISOMAX headset microphone. The PBR also purchased two Lectrosonics HM Digital Hybrid Wireless UHF Plug-on transmitters that are used in a multi-purpose capacity for the anthem vocalist, various entertainers, and others.
A Lectrosonics Venue Series receiver system-stocked with three VRT receiver modules and expandable to six channels-rounds out the wireless microphone system. To facilitate communication with the PBR's staff, Rasmussen also dons a Lectrosonics T4 Frequency-Agile Compact IFB Transmitter that communicates with an R1a Synthesized UHF Belt-Pack IFB Receiver.
"Prior to deploying the Lectrosonics wireless microphones," Cullen said, "we had no end of problems. We routinely experienced serious audio dropouts because Flint would overtax the range capability of the system as he ran from one end of the arena to the other. This level of performance just didn't make for a very professional presentation. Since we started using the Lectrosonics equipment, the dropout issue has literally disappeared.
"We've also been extremely impressed with the rugged build quality of the Lectrosonics equipment," Cullen added. "Flint has the transmitter strapped to the upper portion of his torso just beneath his arm level. Since bulls are on the field, he frequently jumps up onto the fence to avoid them. Not only is this a very dirty, dusty environment-there's also moisture from perspiration while he performs. The transmitter takes a beating."
When asked about the need for Lectrosonics' customer/technical support services, Cullen indicated that it was somewhat of a moot point. "The Lectrosonics gear is so well made and easy to operate, we literally haven't needed any kind of tech support," he said. "Our only encounter with customer service was during the time when we selected our equipment. We explained our situation and the Lectrosonics staff made the equipment recommendations for us. They were extremely helpful."
For more information, please visit www.pbrnow.com and www.lecrosonics.com.
