Correctable error fixed during halftime of Big East game

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

That's as reasonable an explanation as I could have hoped to hear.

I understand physics at a fairly high level, and what it seems that you are saying is that the sensor is set to detect a certain range of sound wave frequency, which is really nothing more than some air getting pushed around as it exits the whistle's chambers.

So if that is the case, we have wonder what else is in that frequency range which could be interfering.

AFAIK, the PTS not only detects one frequency but all three frequencies coming out of the whistle. Not only does it detect their presence but it reacts to a sudden increase in their level. So, noise around the arena shouldn't both contain substantial amounts of the three frequencies of the Fox40 and suddenly increase in intensity at the same time.

My guess, as and Engineer, is that it is not the sound that is being mis-detected but a malfunction somewhere else in the system.

Also, given that PTS only stops the clock on the whistle, what makes it start back????

Could it be that switches in the belt packs, which have buttons to start/stop the clock, are starting to fail after a few years of use....from years of vibrations from running up/down the floor and getting tossed around after the game.

It could also be radio interference....but it short pauses would not be likely.

My best guess would be that the clock operator is resting his finger on the button ready press it and, accidentally or deliberately, slightly presses the button such that it both stops then re-starts the clock. It does seem to have only happened when the clock operator's team has the ball in the closing seconds of a close game where the home team was trying to tie/win the game on a last second shot.