Getting our TDC 4000 to work for mass start

The TDC 4000 is a great mass start timer. The only limitation is the fact that it will only handle 950 bib numbers and no 4 digit bibs (plates). Tdc 8000 handles 9999
bibs.

The concept of mass start timing revolves around "groups" Groups allow you to specify classes. Therefore if you have 6 age a sex classes all racing together you could seperate them out and give each "group" their own net time. The only way this works is if the classes have their own seperate number range.

M15-20 1-100 Group 1

M21-30 101-200 Group 2

M31-40 201-300 Group 3

W15-20 301-350 Group 4

W21-30 351-400 Group 5

W31-40 401-450 Group 6

WHen you are timing in "groups" the group takes the place of the individual bib in the "start". Therefore if you edit the individual start time of a rider with the "D" key, you edit the entire group number when in that mode. Therefore you can input the same start time for every group or different times for different groups in the case of wave starts.

General settings:

Precison 2 for 1/ 10ths

Rounding , yes or no, your choice

Extended Split (up to bib 950)

Start in Groups Yes

You then start inputting your groups:

001 - 100 .

101 - 200 .

etc

ending with the NO key

Difference timing, Yes

Input time of day, I input the "real time" you can input 00:00:00 if you want

Start clock a sync time

At this point you want to sync the timer with the stopwatch or wrist watch that is going to the start.

Start timer with the Green start button or your external button (popper)

AT this point the person with the stop watch or watch goes to the start and records the start time of each group and communicates it back to you.

The time running in the center screen is the reference time. You can always go back to it by pressing "0" followed by .

The number "1" for group 1 should be in the left hand start screen. Press the "D" key to bring up the "input start time" command. Input the reference time start for group 1 that was radioed to you. Advance the start screen to the next group and press "D". Input that group start time. You can input the exact same start time for all
groups in succession if they all started together.

You are now ready to receive the riders coming towards you. You really need a precaller on a Q34 headset with SV$ amplifier about 200m before the finish. They precaller tells you the number and you input it on the right hand keypad followed by . That persons net running time appears on the center screen. The same info is transmitted to the display. inputting 0 followed by . blanks the display and brings up the reference time in the center screen.

If you do not know the id of the rider coming, flip the toggle switch to memory. Up to 18 times will be stored in FIFO (first in first out) memory and the number in memory tracked by the far right screen. TAke the impulse, enter the bib followed by . Press the "E" key. That impulse is now assigned to that rider and his net time is
calculated. Press "next" to clear the memory. If you have 3 riders that finished all together you can keep entering the bibs, pressing "E" and it will assign the same finish impulse to all 3.

Practice, Practice, Practice.

Don't be afraid to write cheat notes and post them on the timer.


Originally posted 24 Mar 2002 by Fred Patton