Wave Start

[Sean Allan]

Brian/Group,

I watched your video from your two mile race in the neighborhood and I'm confused on how you got it to display the last seen person at the start of the race.  I've only used chip start for large races with one wave but I have an event coming up where I'm going to have multiple wave and a separate starting and finishing setup.

Am i correct to assume I can simply have the "Starting computer" capturing chip starts the whole time and then import those to the finish line computer periodically?  Or am I missing a step?

Thank you for the support.

[Brian Agee]

Yeah, I have been sitting on this newest update much longer than I anticipated. Partially because of some new requests that came in that I want to see if I can fit in, to make sure I've allowed enough time for testing, and because very few people are timing right now so there hasn't been much demand for any of the new features to be released immediately. The display of the last participant to leave the starting line (and how long ago they left) is in this next update.

As for the setup - Yes, you'll have one system at the start doing nothing but capturing chip start times. With the starting line computer - on the "RFID Readers" tab you'll make sure the "Auto Save" checkbox is checked. This will periodically (every 15 seconds is the default) save all of the chip start times that were captured out to the database. On the "Action Keys" tab you can check the box that says "Auto Copy". This will automatically save a copy of the database out to whatever path you specify in the "Backup Database Location".

If the start and finish are too far away from each other to be networked together you can email the database (from the backup location), use DropBox, or any other method to get the database file onto the finish line computer so that you can "Import Chip Start Times Captured Remotely" (located at the bottom of the RFID Readers tab).

You can import chip start times as often as you want, and there is no concern if you import the same file or an older file by accident because the software will only accept the chip start time being imported if it's more current (or after) the time it already has for the athlete.

[Ted Finch]

Brian

I plan to time a 'physically distanced' run for the local club in a couple of weeks. The chip start display would be a great asset. Might this be available in an interim update?
Thanks

Ted Finch
Keep it Simple Timing

[rickcummins05]

Brian/Group

If the Start/Finish Line are the same - same line - same ART computer & you are capturing chip start times (the old way)

Will this still work if you are releasing each runner in 5 second intervals?  

My plan is to group people in 25 person waves and release each runner in 5 second intervals with a minute or so break between the waves.

Should I be doing the "capture chip start times" differently than last year's version?

Thanks

Rick

[Patrick W]

Rick the feature Brian mentioned coming soon ( where the first set of reads is treated as a chip start time (and after a user defined gap) the next set of reads is treated as the finish ) would be required for this, unless all waves have started before anyone finishes.  To effectively do wave chip starts that overlap with finishes you need two separate read zones for start and finish.

p

[rickcummins05]

Patrick

Thank you.  I think I am ok doing the "Capture Chip Times" as I have previously.  I have 5 races with 3 start times (7:00am  50k-26.2  / 8:00am 13.1  / 8:45am 5k-10k) with 4 small waves each.

All runners in all races will start before any runner in any race finishes.

If there is a flaw in my thinking please let me know.

Thanks

Rick

[JK Race Timing Systems]

Then you will be fine with old way. Just remember to switch to read mode after your waves have all started.

[Neil Dowell]

We have a race coming up that will be the very first time we have ever tried using chip start.  Can someone please give me a detail description of exactly what I need to do?  If the start and finish is at the same point, do I need multiple computers or can I just use the same one to capture starts and then capture finishing?  This will not be a large race <100 runners and I assume due to Covid, we will be starting them in waves.  I know there has been some mention of copying the starts to a jump drive(never done or set this up before either so help here with details would be great).  I know the jump drive would come in hand if start and finish in different areas but this one seems to be in same place.  We are really nervous about this as we have never done chip starts, only gun starts for our races.  We are hoping to get as much details and advice as possible (step by step details as we are not super tech savy).  Maybe after getting one under our belt we will feel much more comfortable in offering and doing chip starts.  Any and all help would be GREATLY appreciated!

[Brian Agee]

I recorded a video on Sunday that I'll try to get posted on YouTube today, the video is all about chip starts and how to do it based on many different race formats:

• Starting line and finish line in two different locations
• Starting line and finish line in the same location
• How to capture starts or finishes manually if you only have one set of equipment (or no RFID equipment at all)
• How to time a race where the start and finish are at the same location, but you'll have some people finishing before everyone has started. I've added a new feature that can handle this.

With a starting line and finish line at the same location, you do not need to use a jump drive. Just do these steps:

1. Before starting the clock, check the box on the RFID Readers tab that says "Capture Chip Starts"
   
2. Now click on "Start Listening".
3. Now send off the waves.
• As a backup system, if you have time it would be great if you could have someone write down every bib # that started with each wave. You can use the bib # capture sheet and draw a line after the last bib # in each wave. Use the "Notes" column to write down the starting time of each wave. This way, if anyone is missed for any reason at the start you can easily put their start time in manually by double clicking on their name on the Athlete list on the right side of the screen.
4. After the last person has left the starting line, uncheck the box that says "Capture Chip Starts" and the software will immediately treat any new tag read as a finishing time.

[Brian Agee]

In my rush to respond while juggling work stuff I left one step out - starting the clock. It's also important to know that you don't have to wait until right before the race begins to 'start listening' and starting the clock. I try to do it 10+ minutes before the race actually starts just to make sure I don't have to worry about any surprises right before the race begins.

Here is an updated process based on what you described. 

1. Before starting the clock, check the box on the RFID Readers tab that says "Capture Chip Starts"
   
2. Now click on "Start Listening".

• You should see the green activity indicator flashing as people walk by or line up at the starting line.
  
1. Start the clock.

[Neil Dowell]

Thank you Brian for the information.  I really look forward to seeing your video as soon as you get it posted.  The copying to a jump drive and then uploading scenario (start and finish at different locations) is one that I can definitely see us doing in the near future.  Thank again!

[Eddie Terkhorn]

does this work if people are finishing and there are still people yet to start? Meaning, same start and finish....this is on a track, 800s. but 60 + boys. 8 going at a time. relays. same computer, etc as mentioned above. Do I just leave it on Capture start times until the last set of 8 go?

never used the capture start times. thank you for being patient with me

[Ted Finch]

Yes ART can record chip starts and finish times concurrently.
Look at the Chip Star Screen, you need to start the clock, set capture Chip Starts and also set a sensible gap from Start to finish to try and exclude false finish times.

Take a look at Brian's reply and video.

Ted