Battery fan for barrel mirage in F Class

[atkins08]

Hey All,
I've been out of F Class shooting for a few years, but am looking to get back into it. I have looked all over this set and have yet to see a definite answer as to whether battery powered fans are allowed at F Class matches with the intentions of blowing across the barrel to help with barrel heat mirage? When I quit shooting, most everyone used a mirage shield but I wasn't sure if this was still the case or not?
Thanks

 

[SilhouetteShooter]

That was a big debate this year at our club. F class has a new rule book, and the rules have changed about having electronics on the line.
One of our shooters reached out to the NRA and the response was that there is nothing in the rule book that prohibits it. See below
We now allow them.

Shawn

3.22 Electronic Devices—Competitors are responsible for ensuring all
electronic communications and audio devices in their possession forward of
the Ready Line are silenced and communications disabled.
(a) During team matches only; team members may communicate with
each other via hard-wired or wireless communications devices. These
communication devices must not transmit over a radio frequency, and
must not interfere with safety, range operations or other competitors.

 

[Warren Dean]

The rule says electronics. A fan is an electrical device. There's a difference.

 

[jdnphoto]

Some match directors allow fans but not directed on the gun only the shooter.

 

[Ringostar]

The rule says electronics. A fan is an electrical device. There's a difference.

We’re getting old, and rules are changing. I understand wording changes, to allow e targets. But it’s opening a new can of worms to interpretation. I can’t comment yes or no anymore. Twenty years ago I was racing stock car. Everyone understood, that if the rules didn’t specifically call something out as illegal, then you were good to go. Now the liberal mentality, reads things differently. It has created a great debate, specially amongst FTR competitors.

 

[SteveOak]

"wireless communications devices. These communication devices must not transmit over a radio frequency"


That should be interesting.

 

[misser]

hummm,,,, a air powered fan

 

[R.Morehouse]

I don't shoot F-Class. If you are lying on the ground and using a fan, does it blow dust across the shooters next to you?

Regards
Rick

 

[rijndael]

You could have it blow from 7-8 o'clock and it wouldn't impact the shooter next to you.

 

[memilanuk]

The rule says electronics. A fan is an electrical device. There's a difference.

Just for the sake of being argumentative... most portable fans probably have some electronics, either in the power supply / regulator, or in the speed control

...but yes, I agree with you in principle. It's a poorly worded rule - as are many in the NRA rule books. Electronic timers have been allowed forever, because everyone understands that's not what the rules were trying to regulate. For a long time, a lot of match directors would let you use your phone as a timer, as long it was in 'airplane mode'. Tablets are a very grey area, because they are *literally* electronic communication devices, but no one - outside the anti e-target crowd - seems to have a problem with those either.

But suddenly people get a hard-on about electric fans, and try to invoke the 'electronics on the firing line' language? FFS

 

[Alex Wheeler]

If an e target tablet is ok surely a fan must be?

 

[memilanuk]

If an e target tablet is ok surely a fan must be?

It's a matter of people trying to twist an existing rule to exclude something else that they don't like/want/agree with.

 

[Dos XX]

Don't set the base of the fan on carpet, and you might be ok.

 

[Ruger15151]

Battery powered fans have not been allowed at any NRA sanctioned F- Class match I have attended. They were recently used at the V2 Finale because that is not an NRA sanctioned match.

 

[sfinn1]

Help me out here. I see that 3.22 refers only to communication and audio devices. I would think a fan or even a Garmin radar would be permitted. Although as a match director I'm not so sure I'd be happy with a shooter and the time a shooter needs to bring all their extras to the line and setting up. Let alone the firing point space needed in an already crowded line. Yes, there is the three minute prep time, but I haven't seen it used for set up, in F Class, since I used to shoot XTC.

 

[Chuckhunter]

Wow, this is one sad conversation.

 

[CharlieNC]

A fan is ok as long as it doesn't leave guiding tracks on the carpet!

 

[memilanuk]

there is the three minute prep time, but I haven't seen it used for set up, in F Class,

Maybe that right there is part of the problem. Do away with "infiltration" that allows some people more set up time than others. Nobody from the next relay moves up until the RO deems the line clear, and announces the 2 minute to the 3 minute prep time. If you take longer than that too set up, then you're either on your own time (string fire) or just SOL (pair fire).

 

[sfinn1]

Please understand that conversations as these are important for rules interpretation.
What is allowed back home in local matches may be a problem in larger Registered or National matches.
Take a look at 16.2 Protests. Your "best ever" may soon be for naught.
Now, as discussed before, we need an avenue with the NRA rules committee for timely responses to questions.

 

[memilanuk]

Please understand that conversations as these are important for rules interpretation.
What is allowed back home in local matches may be a problem in larger Registered or National matches.
Take a look at 16.2 Protests. Your "best ever" may soon be for naught.
Now, as discussed before, we need an avenue with the NRA rules committee for timely responses to questions.

Keep dreaming. The committee meets once a year. In between, you get what you get from whoever answers the phone/email at the Tournament Competitions department.