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First time using rfid at an event

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Joshua Fraser

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Nov 4, 2024, 9:00:05 AM11/4/24
to Webscorer Users Group
Last weekend, we timed our first event with RFID chips. We used a laminated RFID chip and had 2 on each runner, programmed the same. Using an impinj R1000 and 2 antennas connected directly to the computer, allowing us to push live results. This allowed us to have the awards read directly from the RDs phone. Everything work flawlessly and i got 100% read rate with 66 runners!

The results email function is great! I feel like it is far easier to understand and implement than what I have experienced with Runsingup.

I'm going to play with the chip start and chip check in next. Our next event isn't until January, so I have a lot of time to play around with it.

As always, Vesa provided me with some last minute troubleshooting and I am truly thankful for his support and the webscorer app!

Adam Engst

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Nov 4, 2024, 11:57:06 AM11/4/24
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I'm curious how you would compare the amount of pre-race work with setting up bibs to work with the RFID timing system with the time it saved at the race? With hand timing, I just print a sheet of runners and bibs to hand out before the race, rather than having to attach chips to every bib. (Which also makes the bibs less recyclable.)

We've thought about RFID timing but most of our races are under 150 people and hand-timing seems cheaper and not much more work. I'm still trying to figure out better results displays, but the new Announcer View is looking very promising for that and is unrelated to the timing method.

Victor Gonzalez

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Nov 4, 2024, 12:40:02 PM11/4/24
to Adam Engst, Webscorer Users Group
Hi everyone
I've been taking times for at least 10 races a year.
I've been using chips for over 4 years now.
I take times in races with 100 to 300 runners.
It definitely takes a bit more time setting up the numbers, chips and system but you have more efficiency in the results.

Despite taking time with the system I take them manually to have a backup.

It may take you more time before the race but you save time at the end since it's automatic and you don't have to be transferring the results to excel afterwards or tabulating data and checking who won. Also when you have a Race Series setup you also save more time.


Victor



On Mon, Nov 4, 2024 at 10:57 AM Adam Engst <ace...@gmail.com> wrote:
I'm curious how you would compare the amount of pre-race work with setting up bibs to work with the RFID timing system with the time it saved at the race? With hand timing, I just print a sheet of runners and bibs to hand out before the race, rather than having to attach chips to every bib. (Which also makes the bibs less recyclable.)

We've thought about RFID timing but most of our races are under 150 people and hand-timing seems cheaper and not much more work. I'm still trying to figure out better results displays, but the new Announcer View is looking very promising for that and is unrelated to the timing method.

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Joshua Fraser

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Nov 4, 2024, 12:41:07 PM11/4/24
to Adam Engst, Webscorer Users Group
  I don't use chipped bibs. I have 400 reusable laminated chips and have them programmed 2 each to 001, 002, 003.... the race director or myself supplies any bibs and pins. The chips have a hole to connect with the safety pin at the bib top corners. Pre race, I just assign the chip ID in webscorer. So unless chips aren't returned at the end of the race which happens every race I don't do any programming. I just verify they all still read correctly and replace any that weren't returned. This race I lost 10 chips which costs $8.50 to replace. Most RDS like saving money, so I keep cost lower with reusable chips.
  So basically I don't have to get chips and apply to bibs for every race. Using RFID allows my wife and i to time without a group of volunteers to write down bibs and times.

Thank You!
Joshua Fraser
Warehouse/Safety/Project Manager
McDonald Electric


On Mon, Nov 4, 2024 at 11:57 AM Adam Engst <ace...@gmail.com> wrote:
I'm curious how you would compare the amount of pre-race work with setting up bibs to work with the RFID timing system with the time it saved at the race? With hand timing, I just print a sheet of runners and bibs to hand out before the race, rather than having to attach chips to every bib. (Which also makes the bibs less recyclable.)

We've thought about RFID timing but most of our races are under 150 people and hand-timing seems cheaper and not much more work. I'm still trying to figure out better results displays, but the new Announcer View is looking very promising for that and is unrelated to the timing method.

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Jan Chavarie

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Nov 4, 2024, 12:43:48 PM11/4/24
to Webscorer Users Group
Has anyone used chips for timing on water events? That is paddling races. Occasionally, we have issues with paddlers finishing closely enough to the line to read their numbers/see who they are.

Thanks,
Jan



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JAN CHAVARIE
Head of Applications Support | St. George's School
d. 604.221.3921 c. 
www.stgeorges.bc.ca Vancouver, BC
BUILDING FINE YOUNG MEN. ONE BOY AT A TIME.
St. George’s School acknowledges that we are situated on the unceded traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation.

Joshua Fraser

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Nov 4, 2024, 1:09:54 PM11/4/24
to Jan Chavarie, Webscorer Users Group
I haven't yet, but I spoke with some folks at the paddling event I did last month, and we will use our laminated chips next year. We plan to use buoys to direct them close enough for our antenna to pick them up.
Thank You!
Joshua Fraser
Warehouse/Safety/Project Manager
McDonald Electric

Adam Engst

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Nov 4, 2024, 1:28:51 PM11/4/24
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Thanks, Victor. I am using Webscorer for the 15+ races we time every year—no fussing with Excel other than to print bib pickup lists—but we just tap in finishers' bib numbers by hand as they cross the line, with a tick sheet and Seiko printing stopwatch as backups for when we get four or five people crossing simultaneously.

Joshua, can you share which reusable laminated chips you're using? 

We've also looked into the parkrun-style QR code timing, but that requires runners to be more organized than I think many would be. ;-) 

cheers… -Adam


Adam C. Engst
President, Finger Lakes Runners Club

Joshua Fraser

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Nov 4, 2024, 1:36:12 PM11/4/24
to Adam Engst, Webscorer Users Group
I get them from agee race timing. .85 each. I can send a picture when I get home later tonight.
Thank You!
Joshua Fraser
Warehouse/Safety/Project Manager
McDonald Electric

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Joshua Fraser

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Nov 6, 2024, 7:06:40 AM11/6/24
to Webscorer Users Group, Joshua Fraser, Webscorer Users Group, Adam Engst
here are pics of the chips i use.
20241105_165716.jpg
20241105_165708.jpg

Adam Engst

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Nov 6, 2024, 12:39:32 PM11/6/24
to Joshua Fraser, Webscorer Users Group
Those look quite interesting and durable. Agee doesn’t seem to list such things on its website—is it something where you just buy direct from them in some other way? Do you have to use their timing system?

cheers… -Adam

Vesa Suomalainen

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Nov 6, 2024, 12:41:22 PM11/6/24
to Joshua Fraser, Webscorer Users Group, Adam Engst
A local cyclocross series here in Seattle uses these waterproof RFID tag that you can order with labeling from AtlasRFIDstore: https://www.atlasrfidstore.com/hid-slimflex-uhf-rfid-tag-m730/.  You can get them with programming / barcode labeling.

The tag size is 3.25 x 1 inch.  They use these settings in Webscorer PRO / Chip Timing:

Chip timing system:                RFID-LLRP
Chip ID = Bib:                         Off
Use partial chip ID:                 On
# of last chatacters to match:  5


IMG_2299.jpg



Joshua Fraser

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Nov 6, 2024, 12:47:37 PM11/6/24
to Vesa Suomalainen, Webscorer Users Group, Adam Engst

I couldn't find them on the site either so I emailed agee and they were very responsive. They sent an invoice, I paid with venmo and received them a few days later.

IMG_2299.jpg
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