The new FIS timing booklet (2.0) describes the use of wireless systems for FIS races level 3 and below. PST has developed a system that meets these requirements. The ALGE TED 400 TX/RX system of wireless impulse transmitters is well known and has been used since 1997 with good success. The FIS has decided not to homologate wireless systems for this season. Instead, they have developed a technique that appears to be fair to all concerned and will allow organizers maximum flexability.
4 homologated timers must be used, two for primary (A START & A FINISH), two for the backup, (B START & B FINISH) The start timers must be homologated and must not be allowed to get colder than -10 degrees C at the start. Everybody all ready has the A & B finish. All that is missing is the start timers and the wireless impulse transmitters.
Technique:
Test and connect the TED system to all 4 timers using banana plug jumpers in parallel to the A contact on the start gate. The two timers at the start and the TED TX are all parallel. The TED RX and the two timers at the finish are all parallel. (a wand throw sends a start pulse to all 4 timers)
Set the TIMY PXE(or S4 with P5 printer) at the start in "backup" or (Program 3 "tod"). Set the timers at the finish in tod/ net mode (stopwatch L if using TIMY)
Set all timers to sync at an assigned time. Throw the wand at that moment and all timers will start. The fact that the TED system is used in the sync process takes into account the 10th of a second processing delay. Check all timers at 1 minute as per FIS rules. If the sync is succesful, disconnect the "B" backup start timer from the "A" start gate and connect it to "B" start gate socket. Likewise disconnect the "B" finish timer from the TED RX and allow it to run connected only to the "B" photocell. Then continue timing as per normal.
Bring the tapes down from the start after the finish of the run. Spot check the "A" start tape start impulses with the impulse received by the "A" timer at the finish. If they are within reason submit the results. If they vary, calculate the times using the "A" start timer tape and the "A" finish timer tape. The net time should be the same as the net time recorded for that bib on the "A" timer. If not you will have to manually input all of the "A" start timer times into the "A" finish timer or software to recalculate the net times. All 4 of the timer tapes MUST be submitted with the results. If the FIS recalculates the times and finds they are different from the results that have been published, the race will not score points.
Summary
The use of a wireless impulse transmitter between the start and finish is a bonus to allow you to create net times to display on the scoreboard. You can legally use the 4 timers without the TED system and call the TOD times down via radio or cell phone. You can then input the times into the TDC8000 or software and the running net times will be created.
You will need to invest in a solid system to make this work. PST is making a rental system available for groups that may wish to try this concept.
We have fashioned a kit in a PELICAN case that features 2- ALGE TIMYS, a large rechargeable battery pack, a heat pad, and the ALGE TED 400 transmitter. Cabling and jumpers to connect to your existing start gate. The TED RX with jumper cables for the finish is packaged in a seperate smaller case. This system will rent for $825.00 a week.
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