It would be fun to build machines, possibly mobile, that would have as many different sound creating devices on it as the team could build and make operational in ten hours. Points could be awarded for the number of different noise or sound makers (bells, whistles, drums, stringed things, electronic, motors,sirens ect,) and points allotted also for total sound level. Plenty of freedom to go wild, plenty of opportunity to explain how each item works,lots of welding and plumbing. For instance how many people know the principle that makes a whistle work, or how to build one? The machines could be built to either operate all the noises alone, or with all four team members working the noisemakers, which would add a lot of action to the competetion. The younger audience would really enjoy this challenge. One of my friends works with a parade float built around this principle, and people love it. If this gets good responses, I will post their web address. Thanks, and I hope that this hasn't been posted already. Waddy, "Wreckspert" for the "Rusty Juveniles"

-- Waddy Thompson (cthomp3851@aol.com), February 07, 2001

Answers

Waddy! That would be a great challenge. But the machine would have to play itself and play a nursery ryme, like hey diddle diddle or humpty dumpty sat on the jyw wall.lol.... I would love to see that.It would take some great engineering skills........

-- Craig Wardle (cwardle@execulink.com), February 08, 2001.

Having it play itself would take a lot of time that could be spent making more noisemakers. It would be nice if it could be used to play some kind of psudo-tune. Having the team operate it would add action to the contest part of the show, which is necessary for good television. Maybe extra points would be awarded if it could be used to play a tune. The parade float that my friend works with can be heard 12 miles on land and 25 miles on water if it is operated at full power. Among other things that it has is one of the biggest ships horns ever made. It's all computerized and is used at only 1/8 power for parades and exhibits so it doesn't scare the children.

-- Waddy Thompson (cthomp3851@aol.com), February 08, 2001.