Uses of the MSAT-G2 Satellite Radio for the Baja 1000 Race
November is here, and for off-road racers everywhere, that means one of the calendar’s most highly-anticipated events is just around the corner: The Baja 1000. Dating back all the way to the 1960s, the Baja 1000 is an off-road race held every year on the Baja California Peninsula, the final of a four-race annual series featuring various vehicle classes all competing on the same course.
At International Satellite Services Inc., we’re proud to offer one major piece of value for participants in the Baja 1000 and other similar events: Satellite two-way radio and satphone options, particularly our MSAT-G2 push-to-talk mobile satellite radio that allows for communication between drivers, their chase cars and the rest of their support team. Let’s go over some of the basics of the Baja 1000 and why communication is so important during it, plus how the MSAT-G2 benefits racers and their teams.
Baja 1000 Basics
As we noted, the Baja 1000 is one of the biggest events on the off-road motorsports calendar each year. It draws participants from dozens of countries and every state in the US, plus features a variety of vehicle types, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs and even buggies.
During the Baja 1000, drivers and their teams are exposed to extreme conditions on a regular basis. Vehicles travel across long swaths of dry, desolate land, and much of the terrain covered does not contain any kind of telecom infrastructure already in place. For this reason, additional technology is an absolute must to keep drivers and their teams in touch with each other, both for safety and performance reasons alike.
MSAT-G2 System Features
Some of the vital features of the MSAT-G2 that make it a perfect communication system for the Baja 1000 and similar events include:
- Push-to-talk operation: Allows drivers and their teams to communicate using nothing but the push of a single button, improving both convenience and safety.
- Connection capability: The MSAT-G2 maintains its connection literally anywhere in North America through a connection to a single Ligado SkyTerra 1 satellite. This means there are no handoff procedures between satellites that might lead to gaps in communication at any point.
- Group or one-to-one PTT capability: This service is combined with satellite telephone options, mounted in a protected kit with a dash button that will activate the feature and an integration to the driver’s helmet microphone.
- Reliability: Off-road racers choose the MSAT-G2 in large part due to its reliability. It will not fail at random points or struggle with connections, ever. This is the top priority for racers who need their technology to work properly at all times.
Issues the MSAT-G2 Helps Solve
Put yourself in the shoes of a Baja 1000 driver who has a vehicle failure of some kind while 700 miles into the race, in desolate and unoccupied terrain. If you aren’t using the MSAT-G2 system, you could quite literally be stranded until another driver comes along – not only will you potentially lose hours in the race, you could be at a legitimate safety risk. This is the kind of issue the system helps solve, ensuring perfect communication capabilities no matter where you are on the course.
For more on how the MSAT-G2 helps Baja 1000 and other event racers stay safe and well-equipped, or to learn about any of our satellite networks, speak to the staff at International Satellite Services Inc. today.