Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Q: What does the event organiser need to do?
A: TML will work with the event organiser prior to your event to get your map set up and display any logos and information you require. We will import your athlete or team list into the website ready for the event day. The box of trackers will normally be sent to the organiser approx one week prior. The organiser will need to turn the trackers on 2 hrs prior to issuing them to the participant.
The participant needs to be linked to the actual tracker they receive, and this is done by one of your event staff scanning the participant’s race number (or typing it into the supplied scanner) then selecting any tracker, scanning its barcode, and handing that device to that participant. This ensures the person and the tracker are linked and everyone can see which dot belongs to who!. TML provides online support during the event. Organisers collect the trackers at the end of the event and TML arranges a courier to collect.
Q: Can TML staff come to my event if I want though?
A: Yes if you would like us to come to your event and manage all the trackers that is totally possible. Some events don’t have the staff or volunteers and we can be there to make it all work for you. Depending on the event the organiser would cover travel expenses and a daily rate for the staff member. For an overview of Track Me Live services head to the home page.
Q: Do the trackers have a help button?
A: Each tracker has an assistance button (square button on front - press and hold for 3 seconds until vibration is felt). Activation of this will send the device location in a text message and email to the organiser. Please note, that the message depends on the participant having phone reception, which may not always be available depending on their specific location. Organisers should have other protocols in place in addition to the assistance button in the situation of an emergency.
Q: How should the tracker be carried?
A: Where possible trackers should be carried in a location with the best view of the sky, and not next to other electronic devices or emergency foil blankets. Generally, the very top of a backpack or the small pouch on a shoulder strap are the best locations. In areas with marginal reception, this makes a big difference! Participants should leave trackers inside the supplied plastic bag to protect them from water damage and dust.
Q: How do I know if the trackers will work in my area?
A: Trackers use 4G mobile networks to send their GPS location. The sims in the units will roam on any network. Most areas are covered by Telstra and you can see on their coverage maps. Visit Telstra’s Mobile Coverage Map. The devices only need very marginal coverage to work, much less than it would take for you to load a webpage on your phone or even send an SMS.
Q: Do you have trackers that will work in areas that don’t have mobile coverage?
A: If the area you are operating in has no mobile signal, often the only choice is to use a Satellite Device. We own a small number of satellite devices and can obtain additional units through our partners. The specific device we would recommend depends on your individual circumstances. All Satellite devices carry a higher price tag than a GPRS unit. Generally, they would start at approx $80 per tracker and right through to $300+. Pricing changes depending on the trackers hired, the duration they are active and whether you need 2 way messaging.
Q: Would these work for a Tour Group?
A: If you have an adventure tour and want to be sure where your participants are - especially if they travel independently eg cycle tours or on multiday hikes - trackers are perfect for this. Your guides can see on their phone where everyone is in real-time. As an example, we track the participants in the Women’s Mountain Bike Retreats across Tasmania.
Q: What other events use GPS tracking?
A: Check out the previous events TML has supported with live GPS tracking and/or timing.
Q: Can I set trackers on intervals of less than 60 sec?
A: Yes we can offer tracking at less than 60 secs intervals with intervals down to 10 seconds. However, shorter intervals will reduce battery life and may only be appropriate for short-duration events up to 8 hrs. On longer intervals such as 90 seconds trackers typically last around 2 days, and 5 or 10 minutes up to a week without recharging. Please discuss this with us if you require shorter intervals.
Q: How big are the trackers?
A: Trackers are 80mm x 40mm x 27mm and weigh 93 grams.
Q: Can I iframe the map into my website?
A: While this is possible, it is highly discouraged. The reason for this is that the maps and leaderboards are optimised to work across all devices including mobiles. Once you iframe it, it can become very messy and hard to view.
