Start beep as timing clock

You can synchronize your start beep with your clocks when you do your sync before each run. Simply connect the horn to the wand via the colored input jacks, select the interval that you want and then use the wand throw to start the clocks and the horn at the same time. After the sync remove the wires. Your horn will now be sounding with the selected interval from the top of the minute when your sync was performed. To avoid annoying noise at the start perform the sync shortly before the run starts. Early and late starts can easily be identified on the tapes.

Someone else has always hooked up our horn when we've used it, so I don't know much about it. We sync our clocks and watches together from a single switch in the timing shack. We could sync the horn with the clocks using this switch, but is there any way to turn off or lower the volume until we get it to the start without losing the sync?

You should start doing the synchro from the stargate, which is the proper way of doing it in the first place, that way your problem is solved. Another way to fix it is to send a TOP minute impulse back up to the start and reset the beeb on the startgate with it.

Could you explain how to send a TOP minute impulse to the start gate?

We sync our clocks and watches together from a single handheld contact switch. The FIS timing booklet says this is an acceptable method in lieu of using a wand throw. There may be a way we could sync our watches with the clocks using a wand throw, but I'm not aware of it. Maybe someone could explain it. Having the watches synced with the clocks simplifies some problem solving and if the hand times are significantly off, we can immediately determine if the problem is at the start or finish. I know most people don't do this but it has been a tremendous help in many situations.

The actual connection would vary depending on the timers you use but most have a procedure or a connection available for an output impulse at the top of the minute. As far as sending the impulse to the start you can either use and extra pair on your hill cable or use one of the existing one to send the impulse back up the hill. You connect everything the same way you do it with your switch it is just that you connect your start gate and your start timer (manual) with a very long wire.

THe same procedure can be used to reset the manual timers during the race if something goes wrong with them, that way you keep the race time of day accurate and you avoid long delays caused by bringing the 2 cloks back to the timing shack.

Starting the synchro with the wand eliminates the time difference between the A and B start times on the gate as they are activated by 2 separate mechanical switches.

Thank you Marc for sharing. I learned a lot from your answer to BillF queries. Kudos.