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- Jul 25, 2012
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Hello again Ken,
Thanks for your patience, I've been gone for three days of church meetings, but now I'm back.
You are welcome. Kevin Westfall, 5th individual to purchase a single-pad Wilson F/X launch system.
now for your next questions.
1) Why do some clubs only have one wireless bank of pads?
Oddly enough this is an easy one to answer. Many clubs only need one bank of pads far away from their WFX LCU-64 controller on the LCO table. It is often a matter of economics. Adding the first wireless bank of pads costs $320 just for the two wireless units (one at the controller and one at the away cell). It costs an additional $160 for each additional separate bank of wireless pads. For some clubs even $160 is a lot of money.
The second reason is related to the first reason: At less than $20 for a 100' 16/3 outdoor extension cord, one can place a Wilson F/X bank of pads 100' further from the controller. So even a 500 foot distant pad only costs $100 in hardwired communications. For some clubs, it is simply a matter of economics. $100 in extension cords for that 500' set of pads or $320 for a pair of wireless units. No if you already have one pair of wireless units, then it is only an additional $160 for that next bank of away cells, but each club has to decide how far is far enough to need wireless? Clearly at 1000' feet away from the controller even a pair of wireless units is starting to become a better option. Going wireless at 1000' could save the time and storage space for laying out 10x 100' extension cords. Its all a trade off between expense, volunteer time, and storage space which are oddly enough the exact reasons why Wilson F/X launch systems are becoming the go-to launch system for established clubs who are tired of wasting funds, time, and extra storage space to use antiquated launch systems that are costly to repair in funds and volunteer hours, take way too many hours to set-up, test, and then take down, and because they are old fashioned analogue systems have way too much communications wire on the ground.
2) Communications wire: how far away can a pad-box be hardwired from the controller?
As I said last time, the industry standard for hardwired digital signaling in a 12V system is 3000 feet. But I've only ever tested to 2000' because 20X was the maximum number of 100' 16/3 extension cords that I've ever had at my disposal.
3) Now the biggie! - SARA community outreach/attracting new members......
a yearly event called Desert Heat for several years and has had anywhere from 500 to 1500+ attendees-flyers and spectators.
I will walk the crowd and ask what brought them, and what they liked the most and least: A common response is: "The Show!" ,
In that light and to also get the attention of the younger generations, and to enhance safety.
I am looking on how to incorporate audio-visual in to our launch system.
To that end, I am looking at controlling "Walk, Do Not Walk" led lights and also a countdown announcement.
I do like the idea of the "traffic signal" "Walk/do-not-walk" lighted sign. Pretty cool, but I would suggest just using a separate control system for that which is not directly connected to Wilson F/X.
You didn't actually number your last question, but here's my answer anyway.
4) I have to present a request for this system, to the board, so prices would be necessary.
Current Price list for Wilson F/X components 01-2017
LCU-64 64-pad digital launch controller -------------------------------- $250
The brains of the WFX system, for up to 8 banks of 8 pads each
reads good/bad continuity of each pad, reads voltage
from the battery at the pad as well as the controller’s
battery’s voltage. May only select one bank of pads
at a time. All features work hard-wired or wireless.
LCU-128 Launch controller for up to 16 banks of up to 8 pads each ------ $300
Same as the LCU-64 except controls 16 banks of
8 pads each for a total of 128 pads.
LCU-64X Custom 64 pad controller ------------------------------------------- $1200
with RGB LED status lights
on all pads and banks, on Key switch, built in wireless
unit, LCD screen with remote voltage readings from
banks of pads, volume control on the buzzer, all in a
custom Pelican Case with aluminum anodized insert
switch/light plate.
LCU-128X Same as the LCU-64X except with 16 banks of 8 pads ---------- $1400
pads rather than just 8 banks of pads.
PBU-8 an 8-pad pad-box - ----- called a banks of pads -------------- $500
with 8x, 30’ igniter leads. This is the large muscle of the
WFX system. Reads good/bad
continuity at the pad, as well as voltage of battery
at the pads. Continuity check is safe for ALL
known commercial igniters including flashbulbs.
PBU-8w Exactly the same as the PBU-8 with one exception,
there is a built in Wilson F/X wireless unit ------------------- $650
PBU-4 a 4-pad pad-box with 4 igniter leads with all the
same features of the PBU-8 in a smaller size and
for a smaller price. ----------------------------------------------$275
PBU-4w Exactly the same as the PBU-4 with one exception,
there is a built in Wilson F/X wireless unit ---------------------$425
WRU-c a digital wireless unit with WFX programming ---------------- $320 for a pair
need at least one pair to start (tx & rx) -------------------- $160 each additional unit
WRU-Adpt The special power adapter for a WFX controller
and its WRU-c transmitter for those who want an
all-wireless Wilson F/X launch system. -----------------------$25
Well there you have it. I hope that come thru clearly enough. If not then I can try to email you directly. I can be reached at [email protected] if you are so inclined.
Brad, the "Rocket Rev.," Wilson
Thanks for your patience, I've been gone for three days of church meetings, but now I'm back.
You are welcome. Kevin Westfall, 5th individual to purchase a single-pad Wilson F/X launch system.
now for your next questions.
1) Why do some clubs only have one wireless bank of pads?
Oddly enough this is an easy one to answer. Many clubs only need one bank of pads far away from their WFX LCU-64 controller on the LCO table. It is often a matter of economics. Adding the first wireless bank of pads costs $320 just for the two wireless units (one at the controller and one at the away cell). It costs an additional $160 for each additional separate bank of wireless pads. For some clubs even $160 is a lot of money.
The second reason is related to the first reason: At less than $20 for a 100' 16/3 outdoor extension cord, one can place a Wilson F/X bank of pads 100' further from the controller. So even a 500 foot distant pad only costs $100 in hardwired communications. For some clubs, it is simply a matter of economics. $100 in extension cords for that 500' set of pads or $320 for a pair of wireless units. No if you already have one pair of wireless units, then it is only an additional $160 for that next bank of away cells, but each club has to decide how far is far enough to need wireless? Clearly at 1000' feet away from the controller even a pair of wireless units is starting to become a better option. Going wireless at 1000' could save the time and storage space for laying out 10x 100' extension cords. Its all a trade off between expense, volunteer time, and storage space which are oddly enough the exact reasons why Wilson F/X launch systems are becoming the go-to launch system for established clubs who are tired of wasting funds, time, and extra storage space to use antiquated launch systems that are costly to repair in funds and volunteer hours, take way too many hours to set-up, test, and then take down, and because they are old fashioned analogue systems have way too much communications wire on the ground.
2) Communications wire: how far away can a pad-box be hardwired from the controller?
As I said last time, the industry standard for hardwired digital signaling in a 12V system is 3000 feet. But I've only ever tested to 2000' because 20X was the maximum number of 100' 16/3 extension cords that I've ever had at my disposal.
3) Now the biggie! - SARA community outreach/attracting new members......
a yearly event called Desert Heat for several years and has had anywhere from 500 to 1500+ attendees-flyers and spectators.
I will walk the crowd and ask what brought them, and what they liked the most and least: A common response is: "The Show!" ,
In that light and to also get the attention of the younger generations, and to enhance safety.
I am looking on how to incorporate audio-visual in to our launch system.
To that end, I am looking at controlling "Walk, Do Not Walk" led lights and also a countdown announcement.
I do like the idea of the "traffic signal" "Walk/do-not-walk" lighted sign. Pretty cool, but I would suggest just using a separate control system for that which is not directly connected to Wilson F/X.
You didn't actually number your last question, but here's my answer anyway.
4) I have to present a request for this system, to the board, so prices would be necessary.
Current Price list for Wilson F/X components 01-2017
LCU-64 64-pad digital launch controller -------------------------------- $250
The brains of the WFX system, for up to 8 banks of 8 pads each
reads good/bad continuity of each pad, reads voltage
from the battery at the pad as well as the controller’s
battery’s voltage. May only select one bank of pads
at a time. All features work hard-wired or wireless.
LCU-128 Launch controller for up to 16 banks of up to 8 pads each ------ $300
Same as the LCU-64 except controls 16 banks of
8 pads each for a total of 128 pads.
LCU-64X Custom 64 pad controller ------------------------------------------- $1200
with RGB LED status lights
on all pads and banks, on Key switch, built in wireless
unit, LCD screen with remote voltage readings from
banks of pads, volume control on the buzzer, all in a
custom Pelican Case with aluminum anodized insert
switch/light plate.
LCU-128X Same as the LCU-64X except with 16 banks of 8 pads ---------- $1400
pads rather than just 8 banks of pads.
PBU-8 an 8-pad pad-box - ----- called a banks of pads -------------- $500
with 8x, 30’ igniter leads. This is the large muscle of the
WFX system. Reads good/bad
continuity at the pad, as well as voltage of battery
at the pads. Continuity check is safe for ALL
known commercial igniters including flashbulbs.
PBU-8w Exactly the same as the PBU-8 with one exception,
there is a built in Wilson F/X wireless unit ------------------- $650
PBU-4 a 4-pad pad-box with 4 igniter leads with all the
same features of the PBU-8 in a smaller size and
for a smaller price. ----------------------------------------------$275
PBU-4w Exactly the same as the PBU-4 with one exception,
there is a built in Wilson F/X wireless unit ---------------------$425
WRU-c a digital wireless unit with WFX programming ---------------- $320 for a pair
need at least one pair to start (tx & rx) -------------------- $160 each additional unit
WRU-Adpt The special power adapter for a WFX controller
and its WRU-c transmitter for those who want an
all-wireless Wilson F/X launch system. -----------------------$25
Well there you have it. I hope that come thru clearly enough. If not then I can try to email you directly. I can be reached at [email protected] if you are so inclined.
Brad, the "Rocket Rev.," Wilson
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