USING VOLA WITH MICROTAB “BASE PROGRAM”
Vola has a couple of quirks. First off it does not like to output scoreboard data via anything other than a native serial port. This can be the Com 1 port on the back of a Dell D630 type notebook, a docking station or a desktop. We have been unable to make Vola work with any serial to usb adapter although there may be one with a FTDI chip adapter that may work. Likewise a mini PC slot card maybe effective.
1) Native Serial port ( COM1)
2) Assigning the “line numbers “ in the software 1 place above the “row” numbers on the Microtab displays
3) Rebooting the PC as needed to refresh settings
We have attempted to use the same settings for the Microtabs as Split Second uses for the CLUB and RACE the GATES software to make it easier to switch back and forth between softwares.
CONVENTION on Microtab programming is the Split Second “CLUB + RTG”
The software is now operating in true dual mode for 2 independent courses. This has now made the designation of separate addresses a requirement.
• BASE PROGRAM
• Row 1 = Column 0 = YELLOW/ RED
• Row 2 = Column 0 = GREEN / BLUE
• 1200 baud ( switch to in SST)
• NARROW FONT MAYBE A NICE OPTION IF YOU WANT
• Adjustable scroll speed is available
• 10ms is fast, 90 ms is slow
• Numeric only is an option too
Connecting the Microtab LED to Split Second CLUB software (dual displays) and VOLA Single course FIS/USSA
1. The Microtab(S) BOTH UNITS must be set to the BASE Program
2. TURN UNIT ON AND WAIT FOR THE 30 SECONDS OF START UP WHICH WILL END UP A PROGRAM OR BLANK
3. HOLD YELOW BUTTON DOWN UNTIL THE PROGRAM SETTING APPEARS IN SMALL LETTERS
4. PRESS GREEN BUTTON UNTIL BASE PROGRAM APPEARS IN LOWER LINE
5. PRESS YELLOW ( yes) BUTTON
6. PRESS GREEN (No) AT ADVANCED SETUP QUESTION
7. PRESS GREEN AGAIN AND ACCEPT DEFAULT SETTINGS
8. YOU WILL BE ASKED ROW WHICH MIGHT NEED TO BE CHANGED. ONCE CORRECT FOR BOTH DISPLAYS, PRESS YELLOW
9. THE LEFT HAND BOARD IS ROW 1 and the RIGHT (bottom0 is ROW 2
10. INCREMENT FROM 0 TO 1 WITH THE GREEN BUTTON FOLLOWED BY YELLOW
11. INPUT SIGNAL FROM PC AT 1200 BAUD INTO THE SERIAL 1 (TOP) CONNECTOR
You may need to slow the SST display down to 1200 and then retest. SST defaults to 2400 baud and Vola defaults to 1200 baud
We are providing you with the Script named “Microgate Phoenix Bib Rank Time left row 1 and right row 2.
Of course you can “play with the script once you get comfortable with it.
So again Vola uses “line numbers “ that are one value higher than Microgate or Split Second. Go figure. Program left or top display to Row 1 and Right hand or Lower display to Row 2
So first test your PC, Serial port 1 or 2 ( native ports) in Windows device manager.
Select Local Configuration + Display Board 1
Make sure you are on a real COM port and not an adapter. Here we are connected to the native port on the rear of a Dell D630
Select NEW ( Modify if one exists)
Then adjust settings to match.
Microtab Row 1 = VOLA line 2
Microtab Row 2 = Vola line 3
TOP line adjustment. Line 3 = Microtab address or ROW 2 that will be the bottom or right line with Split Second. The lines are listed in reverse order but they function either way.
Middle line adjustment to display the bib number. Note how the bib characters are pushed over to the Left of the display line
This is the bottom line of the programming. This creates the “ranking” in the space to the right of the top or left display.
The effect now is the familiar
BIB BIB BIB RANK RANK RANK TIME
Or
BIB BIB BIB RANK RANK
TIME
Error when using USB to serial adapters.
The newer FTDI adapters may solve this
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