Can an S4 be connected to "new" NASTAR Software?

The 'new" NASTAR software was made by Geoff Elder of Split Second. He has improved his interface with the S4 for this go around.

Choose the default value of 4800 baud, N,8, 1 with the COM 1 in the "setup and test" menu. Click on the "view raw data" button so that you can see the times
coming in.

Set up the S4 in program 3. Hold the toggle switch up. Turn timer on. Release. Press yellow button until Pr 3 appears. Press red and yellow together to confirm.
Start by pressing the red button. The S4 is now in "stupid PC" mode and will send out data with channel ID and "time of day". Check the S4 manual under 18
channel timer (program 3) pages 31 thru 38 for more details.

Currently the NASTAR software does not work properly with any channels other than the banana plug starts and the photocell finishes directly above. I recommend
using CHannel "A" for RED and "B" for BLUE. CHannel A start banana is CH 0, Photocell input is 1, Channel "B" banana plug start is Ch 3 and the Photocell is Ch
4. Use a din connector to input times to those channels. Pin 3 is ground, Pin 2 is signal.

Now you must do "input mapping" using the button in the upper right of the NASTAR "setup timing" screen. Select dual course and go down to the third option and
change Ch 2 to "not used" Change Ch3 to "blue start" and Ch 4 to "Blue finish" Single course should be ok. Close out this window.

Move to the "dual course" timing window. You should now be able to have forerunners move down the simulated hill by giving impulses to each start and finish on
the S4. Try one course at a time.

Always set your course so that RED is on skiers right. The software can switch course colors and ID, but it really likes to work they default way. Make sure that
ALL computers used by this software are set up the same. The software only transfers data, not setup, and the data has been getting corrupted.

Always use a SEIKO DPU or ALGE printer with this or any other software. We are all dependent on having Windows work and that does not always happen.

Always flush your S4 memory prior to starting a timing session. Look elsewhere in this forum fro instructions if your timer does not display CLR JA? when first
turning it on. The S4 WILL NOT transmit times to the PC after 8000 splits have been recorded. The FULL message tells you how many have been used thus far.

A S4 to PC cable is $40.00

Originally posted 23 Dec 2000 by Fred Patton

Thank you. We've tried the PR0 and PR1 and PR7 program settings so far, as they seemed like they might be 'logical'. Will try the PR3 tomorrow. Did recognize
the possible situation vs. clogging the timer's memory, and did set in the Clear Ja. Jah! Definitely a bit of an involved situation, but we will follow directions to the
letter tomorrow and let you know how it goes....(EB)>

Ed Brazil