cev wireless communication system for match officials

CEV WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
FOR MATCH OFFICIALS
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
AND USER GUIDELINES
RELEASED : 20TH FEBRUARY 2015
VERSION: 1.1
RELEASED ON:
CEV ERC Requirement and Usage of Wireless Headset Communication
System for Volleyball & Beach Volleyball Match Officials
Following tests undertaken by both FIVB & CEV at 2014 Volleyball finals it was agreed that wireless
headset communication for match officials improved the performance by enabling better, faster
communication between the team of match officials. Thus resulting in improving the time between
rallies.
The CEV recommends using the VOKKERO system it tested. This system is already used
successfully by Football, Handball, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Field Hockey & American Football. The
VOKKERO system from reftools.ch – (http://www.reftools.ch/ki/en/Voice-communication-42.html) is
widely recognised as a system that digitally filters noise effectively, a crucial element for Volleyball
& Beach Volleyball match officials and has a secure frequency preventing others from listening in.
The Benefits

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Increased direct verbal communication ensures that communication is more accurate
Improved accuracy and speed of communication between the 1st and 2nd referees
when checks are required quickly i.e. number of balls in play, efficiency of ball retrievers
and or quick moppers, control of benches, confirming the current game-captain etc.
In the Challenge System
 Provides quick and direct communication with the 2nd referee when managing
and judging the validity of the challenge system requests by coaches
 Provides quick and clear communication about the result of any challenge
 Ensures the 1st referee is involved in the final decision of a challenge
 The information provided to the 1st referee enables quick and concise decision
making on the validity of a challenge during the match
The first referee is more closely involved with their officiating team and is better able to
communicate discreetly their wishes or concerns via the 2nd referee, reserve referee or
E-Scorer
The E-Scorer/scorer is able to inform the referees verbally, quickly and clearly about
 the number and validity of timeouts
 the number and validity of substitutions
 communicate when a team has served out of rotation
 confirm validity of libero replacement
 confirm if libero was on or off prior to a timeout
The Equipment
Volleyball:
Four [4] wireless headsets with transceivers on a secure
radio frequency, using a different radio frequency from any
other radio users on site are required. In addition there
must be a working charging system and a base station or
configurator.
 Two [2] of four [4] the headsets are permanently open for communication and worn by
the 1st and 2nd referees. They must be comfortable to wear with unobtrusive earpieces
and microphones. All wires must be discreetly hidden inside the referee’s uniforms
© CEV 2015
CEV Wireles Communications System for Referees - Technical Specificatiosn and User Guidlines
Page 2 of 5
 The remaining headsets should operate on a “push to talk” basis and must be worn by
the reserve referee and scorer. They too must be comfortable to wear with an
unobtrusive earpiece and microphone, with all wires discreetly hidden inside the user’s
uniform. The push to talk button must have easy access and be simple to operate.
 Each ear piece must be removable and washable so as to be clean and sanitised prior
to use by the next user.
 Each headset must be able to digitally filter noise at varying levels allowing the user to
filter external noise to their own requirement. Reducing the noise of spectators, the
speaker and music and each other’s whistles.
 The system must be simple and easy to use
Please note: Filtered whistles are required when using the system.
Beach Volleyball:
Three [3] wireless headsets with transceivers on a secure
radio frequency, using a different radio frequency from
any other radio users on site are required. In addition
there must be a working charging system and a base
station or configurator.
 Two [2] of the headsets are permanently open for communication and worn by the 1st
and 2nd referees. They must be comfortable to wear with unobtrusive earpieces and
microphones. All wires must be discreetly hidden inside the referee’s uniforms
 The remaining headset should operate on a “push to talk” basis and must be worn by
the scorer. It too must be comfortable to wear with an unobtrusive earpiece and
microphone with all wires discreetly hidden inside the scorer’s uniform. The push to talk
button must have easy access and be simple to operate
 Each ear piece must be removable and washable so as to be clean and sanitised prior
to use by the next user
 Each headset must be able to digitally filter noise at varying levels allowing the user to
filter external noise to their own requirement. Reducing the noise of spectators, the
speaker and music and each other’s whistles
 The system must be simple and easy to use.
Please note: Filtered whistles may be required when using the system.
© CEV 2015
CEV Wireles Communications System for Referees - Technical Specificatiosn and User Guidlines
Page 3 of 5
Use of the Equipment
It is very important that the system is easy to use and is effective. Referees should insist at the
technical meeting that they be able to fully test the system before used for the first time in match or
matches. The system should be available for testing during the inspection where the match officials
(in particular 1st & 2nd referees) can ensure they are able to operate the system and communicate
with each other. Pleas enote during the match there will be a much higher level of noise so be sure
to use the appropriate filter and ensure the settings meet yoru requirements.
It is very important that the match officials use the Wireless Headset Communication System as an
additional tool. They must still continue to use non-verbal communication methods, particularly
when there are sound issues.
It is very important for effective communication to have clearly defined call signs that are standard
throughout the CEV that are clear, quick and simple to use. Please see below the CEV standards.
Without Challenge System
WITH Challenge System
Function
Function
Call Sign
Call Sign
1st Referee
Ref One
1st Referee
Ref One
2nd Referee
Ref Two
2nd Referee
Ref Two
E-Scorer/scorer
Scorer
E-Scorer/scorer
Scorer
Reserve Referee
Reserve Ref
Challenge System Operator
Chall Opp
In order to communicate simply and efficiently the 1st & 2nd referees will, have an open microphone
and will not use call signs for their continuous communication. However if they require the attention
of either the Reserve Referee or E-Scorer they must say the call sign of the person they require
followed by the message. The most important is to say “OVER” after they have completed their
message. It is important that only one person speaks at a time.
If the message was not clear or could not be heard the recipient should state “say again, over”.
Ensure the words used are Volleyball or Beach Volleyball terminology and are not words that can
be easily misheard or confused. Try to avoid using negatives such as “No Touch”. It is better to say
simply ball out or in from attacking or defending team.
During a rally communication using the microphone is limited, as the referees will have whistles in
their mouths as this is still the primary role; stopping and starting rallies.
The referees should ensure the system is fully tested and working before they leave their changing
room with all wires discretely covered by their uniform. The system must be tested and working
fully a minimum of ten [10] minutes before the start of the official match protocol.
At the beginning of each set, the 2nd referee should announce each line up over the radio as they
check them in addition to checking the line-up sheet.
After each TO, TTO or change of ends in the 5th set the scorer should announce which team and
subsequent player number are to serve plus the player number in position 2 for the receiving team
© CEV 2015
CEV Wireles Communications System for Referees - Technical Specificatiosn and User Guidlines
Page 4 of 5
Any improper requests should be announced.
To prevent discomfort and mistakes users should
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Choose the correct size of ear piece.
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The user should decide if they prefer to use the left or right
hand ear when first fitting the system.
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Ensure the appropriate noise filters are in place for the
environment and the user’s personal preference is adopted.

Be familiar with and be able to operate the transmitter prior
to the match.
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Ensure the batteries are fitted correctly and are fully charged

Be respectful of the next user and properly clean the
earpiece before returning the equipment.
© CEV 2015
CEV Wireles Communications System for Referees - Technical Specificatiosn and User Guidlines
Page 5 of 5
reftools gmbh
Bubikonerstrasse 45a
8635 Dürnten - Switzerland
Tel. ++41 (0)55 250 53 22
Fax. ++41 (0)55 250 53 23
www.reftools.ch
How to get the personal, custom-made earpiece(s) for the
Phonak ComCom system
The custom-made earpiece is a personal device and needs to be molded
specifically for the individual users ear.
How to choose right or left ear: Referees, right handed: Usually right
handed referees wear the headset left, so the microphone, also on the
left, is less likely to get in the way of the right handed operated whistle.
Some referees even prefer to have a right and a left earpiece.
Custom-made earpiece
Front
Back
Procedure to order the custom-made earpiece(s):
Contact and visit a local hearing aid shop or acoustician and request a mould of the ear(s). The casting
takes usually a few minutes. The mold has to be sent to:
Send mold to:
Phonak Communications AG
Frau Zoe Gaberell
Länggasse 17
3280 Murten
Switzerland
Users name and address must be indicated!
First Name
Last Name
Street Address
PO Box
Zip Code / City
State
Country
Phone
Email
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As soon as we have received the finished earpiece(s), we will ship the ComCom Headset along with the
earpiece(s) to the customer.
Order additional earpieces through www.reftools.ch:
The earpiece comes marked with the initials of the user for better identification and comes also along with a
unique code, so additional earpieces can be ordered at any time again. The unique code can be found on
the label stored in the back of the ComCom pouch. It looks like: AA _ _ C010.
Just order additional earpieces through the reftools online shop www.reftools.ch
© reftools GmbH, Switzerland
july 2008