I have a 605. It worked fine last season and it continues to work fine this season. Your comment about trying different cables sounds suspicious. Not all are the same if the wrong cable is used you will get no love. Reliable Racing is the TAG dealer for USA and they can supply the proper cable.
While most of the time it is not the hardware that is a problem but the conection of the hardware (cable), however, the ptb can be the issue. Mine has taken a holiday or two to Switzerland in the past and it is not infalable. Check and see if there is another resort in your area that uses a ptb and have them give your unit a try. If they have the proper cable it could help you troubleshoot.
Another thing you might try is using the ptb controller program or hyperterminal. These programs will help you see the raw data from the ptb and show you if you are having an issue with the communication from clock to pc (cable) or if your sst software settings are the issue. The ptb controller program is available from TAG (email them) and should also be available from Jerry T. at RRS.
The only other thing to mention is that SST has two ptb timer selection options. One for a standard ptb and one for the v13 firmware. The standard ptb setting will work with the older and the newer or upgraded clocks with v13 firmware, but the v13 selection will only work with a clock that has been made in the past few years or an older clock that has been upgraded to the v13 firmware (v13 clocks should print v13 just below the tag logo when you turn the printer on). The upgraded clocks with v13 firmware installed, with v13 selection on the SST timer options, will allow bi-directional capabillity to the clock and will enable the ptb printer to print bib, name, net time, and rank on the tape along with TOD stamps.
Call RRS or Fred at PST and arrange to send it to them for testing. Either outfit may also have a loaner available if you are in a pinch. If you are in the RMD I may be able to help you with testing but do not have any loaners.
