The full system is a wireless system that encompasses cuts, turns, lap-counting, starter clock & countdown, race course data logging and timing. All information is collected and stored about the race; this includes which lane cut, on which lap, and at what pylon, and the time of the infraction and the times of each lap and turn button push. The system can do 13-24 starts, 24-13, racehorse and any of 3 FAI starts, all selectable by the starter. The starter can start and stop the race, give cuts, and also has a delay start button. The system was used at the World Championships last summer, the NATs, and at numerous races in the southwest. We have used the data gathered over the past year to refine the operation of the system, and to make future systems more compact and portable/transportable.
The full system includes modules for timers, pylon1-2-3 judges, starter and Pylon1 lights. It also has displays for cut & turn, 12" large digits that can be seen from 800', and some newer 5" digits that can be seen from 20'-75'. Each digit can display from 0 to 19, and can also show L, E, H, P, o u U and other characters. Cuts and the pylon of the cut are shown at all displays. The displays are designed for a 12v system, and will run all day on a 8A battery.
The system is easily used for both 2 and 3 pole racing. It can be run with a reduced mode when various stations and/or displays are left-off. This will make it more economical for local races. The displays and lights can be controlled directly from the system or from a laptop, either wired or wireless. Signalling for the numeric displays is just a straight bit stream with clock and latch at rs232 or ttl levels, and so would be easy to incorporate into your system if you just want to extend what you already have.
The system will run without a laptop. However the laptop does the race event data-logging and timing. The laptop connects to the system wirelessly and so can be anywhere at the flying field including in the clubhouse or with the timers.
The system is only in kit form. No boxes, frames, cases, cables, switches, labels, or push-buttons, but we do have recommendations for these. LEDs are optional and we do have recommended suppliers and a line on some awesome LEDs. The brain module circuit board will be assembled, programmed and tested. The rest of the system includes PCBs to organize the wiring and connectors. There is very little point-to-point internal wiring with it's attendant failure points. There are also various driver PCBs that require someone with average soldering skills to solder transistors, resistors and DIP ICs. The displays come as unpopulated PCBs which are professionally made with all holes drilled, copper circuit traces with solder masks and silk-screened to show the parts placement. All cables are either DB9 or 1/4 stereo jacks.
For you non-pylon racers out there, the system could also be reconfigured for other events ...
If you're doing something to your system next winter or even just thinking about it, send me a PM so I know what you're up to. We will be ordering in the next two weeks and I will order some spares on speculation, but I need a sense of numbers .
- Hank
The system is a wireless system for coordinating all pylon race officials and judges. As delivered, the system can be used equally well for 2 pole racing such as Warbird and Giant scale, and for 3 pole racing such as NMPRA/AMA racing or FAI. The system handles: the countdown clock, all race timing, start flag duties, turn lights & cut lights. All data is collected at the laptop and displayed and/or printed. If the laptop is connected to the public address system it will count down the start over the public address system. The location of the race infractions such as cuts are displayed on the number display, and the laptop program knows when and where the cut occurred as well as lap times and turn button presses. |
Search This Thread
Printable Version
What scoring/timing/cut system is being used in Texas f... - 
