F5J Contest Management

[Jay I Watkins]

iHi Guys,

One man’s opinions.

Some lessons learned and future options:

Part 1 - GliderScore

GliderScore is the gold standard for contest scoring software.  When used with cellphones for score entry and a cell phone hotspot for Internet access, contests run smoothly.

The latest version of GliderScore includes the “Start Next Group” feature to speed up the contest when possible.

At a contest in Cincinnati, we discovered that it was not only possible but useful to use two laptops to run a contest.

     One computer - connected to the Internet - to manage contest setup and score corrections during the contest.

     Another computer to run the Digital Timer program which creates the audio playlist and sends data to the on-field timer boards.

I would encourage every club that uses GliderScore to make an annual contribution to the creator of GliderScore - Gerry Carter.  See the GliderScore.com site to make a contribution.

Part 2 - Audio

This year, we (MOSS and DARTS) used four Makita FM radios spread across the field and pit areas.

The FM signal is created by a low-power FM transmitter driven by the audio output from GliderScore.

In the future, I would suggest that we expand the coverage of the FM signal by using something like this:

Put it in your pocket, connect wired earbuds or bluetooth earbuds.

Note that many hearing aids will accept bluetooth input ( for me in the future!).

Something like this costs less than the price of a tail servo.

Part 3 - Timer Boards

I have been unable to figure out how to make additional copies of the timer boards that other clubs use.

So here’s my idea:

First, use GliderScore to display the timer in full-screen mode. This creates a large image.

Next, get a video camera from as FPV drone.  Just the camera and its 5GHz video transmitter.

Lastly, use a small video monitor to give everyone their own timer display.

Something like this:

Hope this blows your mind !

Jay

[Norman Poti]

Interesting observations and thoughts.  So the future might be each pilot has his own FM receiver in his pocket for the gliderscore audio,  and a video display of the clock on his wrist.  I like the out of the box thinking.  Hopefully Jay can put together sample hardware and demonstrate it at the club meetings coming at the end of the year.  Keep up the good work Jay.

Norman

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[Jeff]

Jay,

I have these older items 

that might be usable for you

 video capture?

Huntsman

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

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[Barry Andersen]

Yikes!  I appreciate Jay taking the time to think about F5J solutions. This is a lot, I’l reply in stages:

On Dec 1, 2024, at 3:24 PM, Jay I Watkins <jwat...@columbus.rr.com> wrote:

iHi Guys,

One man’s opinions.

Some lessons learned and future options:

Part 1 - GliderScore

GliderScore is the gold standard for contest scoring software.  When used with cellphones for score entry and a cell phone hotspot for Internet access, contests run smoothly.

The latest version of GliderScore includes the “Start Next Group” feature to speed up the contest when possible.

At a contest in Cincinnati, we discovered that it was not only possible but useful to use two laptops to run a contest.

     One computer - connected to the Internet - to manage contest setup and score corrections during the contest.

     Another computer to run the Digital Timer program which creates the audio playlist and sends data to the on-field timer boards.

We used two computers at our last contest due to a serous problem with the timer section of GliderScore causing the program to crash.  Likely due to a software update and the oddities of running Windows via BootCamp on an Apple machine.  I have invested in a refurbished Lenovo Windows machine to work directly with Glider Score.  IMHO the second computer adds another layer of complexity and isn’t necessary.  Having said that, it is nice to have someone’s backup machine available.  I bring mine to contests in the event of failure.  Happily Ed Dumas also brings a backup machine.  

I would encourage every club that uses GliderScore to make an annual contribution to the creator of GliderScore - Gerry Carter.  See the GliderScore.com site to make a contribution.

I concur and we always send just a dollar a pilot to Gerry; ends up about $40 AU money. He always sends a thank you.  

Part 2 - Audio

This year, we (MOSS and DARTS) used four Makita FM radios spread across the field and pit areas.

The FM signal is created by a low-power FM transmitter driven by the audio output from GliderScore.

In the future, I would suggest that we expand the coverage of the FM signal by using something like this:

Put it in your pocket, connect wired earbuds or bluetooth earbuds.

Note that many hearing aids will accept bluetooth input ( for me in the future!).

Something like this costs less than the price of a tail servo.

I found the output from the Makita  FM radios adequate.  Perhaps another Makita or even two would more than suffice.

As a pilot I really don’t want to have constant countdown directly in my ear.  I think the speakers/FM are easier to “tune out”.  I assume that pilots would need to supply their own radio adding another expense and layer of complexity, something else to forget ;).  

Anyone with hearing aids would find it troublesome to get this all working.  

Part 3 - Timer Boards

I have been unable to figure out how to make additional copies of the timer boards that other clubs use.

So here’s my idea:

First, use GliderScore to display the timer in full-screen mode. This creates a large image.

Next, get a video camera from as FPV drone.  Just the camera and its 5GHz video transmitter.

Lastly, use a small video monitor to give everyone their own timer display.

Something like this:

Hope this blows your mind !

Well, it does, but not in a good way.  F5J is already a very complex event.  Much like with the audio, I don’t want to be paying attention, or have my timer/caller paying that much attention to another gadget.  A quick glance at a clock is nice and enough.

The parts for a clock are available,  The LED boards ship from Canada very quickly and are reasonably priced. IMHO soldering individual LEDs to boards is a fools errand.  Buying the assembled individual numbers is money well spent.  

Here’s the link, they are in stock: https://store.qkits.com/seven-segment-display-10-inch-led-mxa079.html.  

Total for 4 numbers $240

There is a detailed booklet available that shows how to build and wire the board in a step by step illustrated way.  Additionally, Chris will almost immediately reply to email.  We even spoke on the phone to get the correct pinouts from the transceivers.  All solved now for the future.  I will make myself available for questions.  Can’t find a link to the booklet, but it’s available. 

The immediate problem is that Chris will have a delay in producing the interface boards.  They will be available before too long.  If someone builds a board and all that’s missing is the interface board, I’ll pull the board from my small round/group board until one is available.  I don’t think that will be necessary.   I think Chris’ board is around $125

A pair of wireless adapters, transceivers,    eByte E32-DTU (915L20) , is the last remaining piece.  Less than $50 for a pair. 

Chris estimates around 1.2 amp/hour to power the clock.  A 25 amp 12V gel-cell is ample for the day: https://www.embedded-ability.com/gliderscore-display-interface/

I’ve built two, while they are a lot of work, it is not difficult.  A bit tedious and time consuming.   There are a number of DARTS/MOSS guys that could build a clock over the winter down time.  Big Fun Project :). I’m not eager to build another though. 

A bonus to proceeding with a standard clock is that both Steve Gammons and my clock all work on the same frequency and have been used together at our field and at E-Town. 

Sorry to be negative about these possibilities; just my .02.   I think were are now at place with F5J where the contest needs and processes are all working with some variations.  I don’t think most pilots will want to move to individual audio and clocks:  I don’t. 

We have all sorted out mobile phone scoring, a big bonus for both CDs and pilots.  I’m happy with contest procedures now.

Barry

Old dog…...

[Jeff Huntsman]

Excellent!

I may have the small camera needed.....

In the mean time synchronize your watches...

To "synchronize our watches" means that everyone's watch is set to the same time. In speech it means to make sure "we are all thinking the same way", or "we are all working to the same plan". Sometimes it is found in a similar expression, "all singing off the same hymn sheet".
The expression comes from the military - where different units of an attacking force could be sure that they didn't attack too early, or too late, to upset a plan.

Great communications!

Thank you!

[Barry Andersen]

I want to emphasize that I appreciate all the work that Jay has done for soaring.  I don’t want to be the primary nay sayer here, but I just remembered another problem with bluetooth and GS audio.  Most of you that fly F5J have been to the Aeromodelers field.  You are aware that we use two large speakers hard wired to an amplifier that is directly connected to the GS computer. The speakers are aimed at the pilots in the field; works well. I thought it would be nice to have a small speaker in the staging area so that pilots could more clearly hear the callups.  I purchased a small Bluetooth transmitter/receiver to do that.   Sadly, there is enough of a delay via Bluetooth to make the audio unusable.  There may be workarounds for this, but it’s something to consider.  

I don’t know if the video feed you’re thinking about would have the same delay issue.  The RF system in use for our clocks had to have a default error checking system  disabled to eliminate a lag in the video feed to the clocks. This is a widely known issue discussed and solved in online forums. Steve Gammons and I have setup our systems to eliminate the delay. 

Barry

still an old dog…..

always trying to learn new tricks….

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[Marc Marcum]

Also tend to fall in the old dog crowd with Barry. Love the forward looking thinking but think the added gear and complexity will eliminate some participants locally and certainly those that travel in or don’t fly regularly. We rarely have a contest where everyone has remembered all their equipment ( batteries, transmitter, charger, wing joiners). I also wouldn’t want the audio in my ear to interfere with the valuable input from my timers. Even proof of concept is costly and likely to be different in the field versus lab setting. Sorry, just my 2 cents. Marc

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[Ed Franz]

At this point I am lucky to remember the transmitter when I walk out...

On Tue, Dec 3, 2024, 10:58 AM 'Mclaughlinjms' via Mid Ohio Soaring Society <midohio...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

So everyone will carry around an FM radio and a mini screen on the flight line ...... ? Or am I missing something ?  

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[Barry Andersen]

I was seduced by the new Prusa Core 1 printer.  It will arrive sometime in January from the heart of the Czech Republic.  

So, my Prusa MK4S, a current excellent printer will be available.  It’s in perfect working order, recently upgraded to “4S”.  Sold with a very nice enclosure with charcoal filter/fan and illumination.  I’ll be bringing  some XT30 soldering jigs printed with it to the January meeting, weather permitting.  

I thought I’d put the notice out to my soaring buddies before putting it out in the wider world.  If you’re interested, let me know and I can send pictures.  

I’ve attached one to see if it will work on the list serve.  

Hope to see you in January,

Barry