Jiglu: BLOKART-NZ: Discussion: RE: Re: Computer whizz!! race timing system

Originally sent by: Don McKenzie

Thanks Mike.
These points are the very things that we have been researching.
Yes each transponder has a unique 7 digit number which as you say can be your individual frequency number for your racing career.
It would appear that the transponder for the rc system will not interact with the activeX system although both are AMB systems. So co-operation between clubs to operate the same system is very advantageous.
It does use the loop system.
The mat system is generally a Championchip system which is often used in marathons etc and possibly the one that Nike uses?
The general idea would be as you say for clubs to encourage members to purchase their own transponders and have a 20 rack rechargeable set for hire on race days.
If you get a chance check out JLap Race Manager and download their evaluation package. I am sure you will find it interesting. Perhaps Nicholas and Grant 2 could look at it also.

Don

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike and Louise Lansdown [...]
Sent: Monday, 20 June 2005 5:54 p.m.
To: ...
Subject: Re: [blokart] Re: Computer whizz!! race timing system
Hi Don,
Very impressed with your research.
The AMBrc system sounds to be the best for the transponder side of the equation.
Does this system operate on a loop receiver that you sail over (not like the narrow mat you had to endure at Ivanpah)?
How many transponders can this system accommodate, not all in one race, but what identify's them?
Can there be an infinite number of unique transponders, ie: is there enough channles or ID codes for everyone to have their own transponder.
If so, how about the clubs purchase the decoder/software, and each competitor is then responsible for buying their transponder, that way the cost can be shared across the people who enjoy the racing.
If they all work on unique codes, then you keep that channel for your racing "career".
The clubs could look at buying a few extra "loan" transponders, for people wanting to "test the water".
The $3,000.00 purchase price for the decoder/receiver unit is not beyond the reach of grants from Charitable Gaming Trusts (eg: lion Foundation, Scottwood Trust, Pub Charity, or NZ Community Trust).
One only has to go into any pubs that are under these trusts for their poker machine licence, and ask for a funding application form.
Of course your club has to be an incorporated society etc.
Regards,
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don & Lesley McKenzie" <...>
To: <...>
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 9:58 AM
Subject: RE: [blokart] Re: Computer whizz!! race timing system
I have been evaluating JLAP racemanager.com software, it is cheaper than
AMB ones and has a voice engine, will call out competitors in each heat,
give placings over the pa every 90 seconds or what ever interval you want,
do the voice count-down, give pre heat notices "sponsors name" etc and
thru
a recording can give adverts. Back up assistance is on-line, like they are
there talking to you and answering your questions right away. The price
was
$750us This system works with AMBrc transponders and decoders but can also
run through a manual system like Russell said. Just means we have to run
out
and hand out discs to everyone in a heat which the computer has allocated,
during the race the disc numbers are clicked on the lap top and the
programme does the rest.
The Auckland guys don't have the frustration that we have in the Bay as
your
circuit is longer but as you saw yesterday we had karts everywhere on our
short course and that was in light winds with no crash distractions.
We think we may get the software first and use the manual system until we
can afford the hardware.
Of the transponder systems we have looked at, AMB appears to be the going
thing but pricy. Kopropo is a cheapee but can only have 20 transponder
frequencies, so would have to be a heat by heat thing. Championchip is the
mat style one we used at Ivanpah but is too bulky for what we want.
Of the AMB units we have looked at the AMBrc looks to be about what we
want.
Transponders are around $95us and the decoder about $3000nz. There is an
AMB
ActiveX which has transponders at about $70nz but the decoder is about
$7,000nz. What I can see is that clubs would eventually want to buy their
own decoders and maybe subsidize the cost of the transponders so are
looking
at AMBrc, also there are more rc transponders about and the aCTIVEx is
relatively new on the market.
So something workable and cheap in the interim would be great.
Cheers,
Don

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