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Timing positions.

The Transponder system uses at least 3 timing positions around the track.

1. Gate drop.
2. Bottom of the Start Hill.
3. Finish line.
4. Intermediate loops. (optional)

The Gate Drop is picked up with a cable run from the Start Controller (SmartStart, ProGate or similar) to the first Decoder (normally named Hill Decoder).  An Interface box is needed between the Start Controller and Decoder.  See further in this document for details.

The Hill Loop is put at the bottom of the Start hill.  Normally about 10 to 20m from the gate.  But this measurement is not critical and basically goes wherever suits.  It does need to be at a point where riders would normally cross the loop between 1 & 10 seconds after the gate drop.

The Finish loop is also two parallel conduits run across the track.  The first conduit is buried 600mm before the finish and the second conduit is under the finish line.  The finish is when the transponder is exactly in the middle of these two conduits.  With the transponder mounted on the fork this puts the front wheel just touching the finish.  Install them as per the instructions below.

Intermediate Loops.  Extra timing loops can be added at various positions around the track.  These loops give split times around the track.  Uses for these intermediates are for coaching sessions and for commentary to assist the announcers identify the riders and positions.

Further in this document is the recommended method of installing the loops in the track.

Mylaps instructions for positioning the loops are:

Finish loop placement.

Mylaps advises the conduits are 100mm deep but I prefer them shallower.  Basically have them deep enough that they are not going to be in the road when doing track maintenance.  Another idea is if you have a concrete start hill and no suitable area after the concrete is to simply run two cuts in the concrete across the track 600mm apart.  Then simply lay the cable into the cuts and hold it in place with some silicone. 

Decoder Cabling.

The Decoders are normally in the scoring hut.  Cables are required from the decoders to the timing positions.  The cables from the Hill and Finish loops are coax type cables.  The cable type is normally 75ohm RG6 (or RG6 Quad Shield) cable.  Normal TV aerial type cable is suitable.  It costs approx. $150 - $200 for a 305m roll.  It should be buried in conduit to protect it.  Do not run this cable overhead as it could act like an aerial and pick up lots of false transponder readings.  The connectors on the end are BNC type, a male connector on the Decoder end and a female connector on the loop end.  The connectors can be either compression, crimp or screw type.  If you are not experienced in fitting these connectors it is easiest is to get a local TV aerial installer to put these connectors on as they have the correct tools.  At the Track end they need to be within 5 metres of the conduits.  The connector needs to be protected from the weather so installing them in a waterproof box is best.  The female connectors can be hard to buy.  So if you cannot buy then then use males each end plus buy the adapter shown below.

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; MyLaps coax is recommended for 2 reasons:

• it connects directly to the loop without a BNC connector (bad BNC connections can be a source of timing issues)
• using MyLaps coax means you will have MyLaps equipment from the loop all the way to the decoders

Start Pulse Cable

The start pulse cable is run from the Hill Decoder to the start controller.  Any 2 wire insulated cable can be used.  If purchasing cable any insulated cable with at least 2 wires is suitable.  It does not need to be thick cable, telephone or Ethernet cable is all that is neededwith twisted pairs is good.  It can be buried or overhead cabled, it should be in conduit to protect it.  If the Start Hill has a roof it can be run along the roof to reach the start controller.  No connectors are required on this cable.  This cable connects to the Grey Interface box.

Grey Interface Box

An interface box is required between the Start Controller and the Hill Decoder.

The interface box provides three functions.

• Interfaces between the 12v Start Controller to the 5v input of the Mylaps Decoder.
• Allows connection of the GPS as well as the start signal to the same input on the decoder.
• After a start signal is received the box blocks any further spurious start signals from being received by the Decoder for 5 seconds. Without this function spurious extra start signals are regularly received and interfere with the BEM program scoring correctly.

If a ProGate Controller is used then a second interface box is required due to the connector type used on the ProGate.

Marty Baker produces these interface boxes.  If more information please contact him at Martyb@bigpond.com or 0418875760.

Cables from Mylaps.

Track cabling supplied from Mylaps comes in the following lengths:

• ProChip detection loop 9m (5m coax).
• ProChip detection loop 12m (5m coax).
• ProChip detection loop 9m (20m coax).
• ProChip detection loop 12m (20m coax).

Most tracks will use a 12m loop at the Hill loop and 9m at the finish loop.  But measure the track width at these points to determine which length loop will suit.  Secondly measure the distance from the loop to the registration hut.  If a 20m coax cable will reach order the 20m coax with the appropriate loop.  If over 20 m order the 5m coax and loop, then use RG6 type coax as described on the previous page.

How to install track cabling.

Below is photos of how to physically install the conduits and cabling at the track.

This method of installing conduits was developed by Neil Cameron from BMX NSW.  This method means that the cabling is sealed and not visible and should be very reliable.

Start/Finish Loops

Many clubs already have conduit in the ground through their tracks. The size of that conduit will determine what elbows, t-pieces and inspection points you use. The following pictures have all been made out of 25mm pipe, which is enough for the loop etc, but if you have bigger pipe in the ground then you can step it down with reducers to use 25mm elbows etc, or you can just use elbows and inspection points out of the size you have already.

The following photos shows what the system looks like buried in the ground. Obviously I have shortened the pipes in the track (where you can see the coils of white wire, and the pipe between the T-junction and the box should be much shorter, so that the box is right next to the track.

Position of the elbows and pipes in the track

The elbows (ends of the loop) need to be 50cm past the white line on the track. Therefore you need to know where the sides of your track are, and where they will always be. This may require measurement from a fixed point at the venue so you can always tell where the ends of the loops are.

This also means you need to know “exactly” where the finish line is, and where it will always be. So measurements from the jumps on the track for instance are not accurate, and will change over time. So you need to measure from something at your venue that will not move (like a drain grate, or power pole etc). You will need exact drawings because the white finish line needs to be in a very specific place and over time this buried system will be forgotten.

Finish line position

The white line marked on the track goes on the last pipe in the ground. So when travelling down the finish straight, you will pass over the first pipe in the ground, then 60cm later you will pass over the second or last pipe in the ground. The white line must go directly over the last pipe.

For this reason you need to put something in the ground beside the track to mark the finish line, or have a way of measuring exactly where that pipe is as you will need to remark it both during a race day and once or twice a year when using the finish line.

It is also very important to know where the sides of the loops are, so that you can paint your white lines in the right place each time. We can’t have the track change from year to year and move away from the correct positioning of the pipes.

If we turn up to a track and can’t work out exactly where the finish line is, someone will be taking a shovel to your track and digging to find the second pipe 

Start Straight loop position

This doesn’t matter. The start straight loop can be anywhere near the bottom of the start hill. There is no specific measurement for this. So put it 1-2 metres past the bottom of your concrete/tar of your start hill. It’s a good idea to keep track of the exact distance just so you know where it is when digging your track at a future date. You will also need to know where the sides are. Over time tracks get wider or narrower based on dirt work by different people, and without marking on the start hill, or some measurement, you may well end up with the track running outside your loops in the future.

Computers

Any Windows computer is suitable if you are running the Sqorz software.

To ensure the computer is reliable regularly connect the computer to the internet to update Windows.

The following software is used:

Registration:    Sqorz

Scoring:           Mylaps Timing and Scoring & Sqorz

Training:          Mylaps Timing and Scoring & BEM Train (note BEM Train needs Excel 2010 or earlier to run)

For scoring Sqorz and Mylaps software can either be run on separate computers or on a single computer with a second monitor.  

Printer

Laser printers are preferred over Ink jet printers as they are generally faster, cheaper to run and more reliable.  Colour printing is not required.  Therefore a mono laser printer is recommended.  Options of network and wireless connectivity are handy but not compulsory.  Make sure you have a spare cartridge on hand. Brother do a great printer which prints 40ppm and is very reliable.

Transponders

Networking your System

At the very least you will have the following on your network

• 1 or more laptops
• Decoder
• Printer

You will either need a router or a switch to connect all the equipment. If you use a switch you'll need to assign IP addresses manually to your equipment which will need a basic level of technical knowhow to do.
It is recommended all equipment is connected by LAN cables as opposed to wireless.

UPS

 An UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) is good to have as a backup as if the power fails to the Finish Decoder while a race is on the track you will not be able to score the race.  Plus the UPS provides protection to the equipment from power spikes.

GPS Unit

If more than 1 decoder is used then each Decoder requires a GPS connected.

2 decoders will required 2 GPS units.

Software

Mylaps software: Timing and Scoring.

Timing and Scoring is the interface between the decoder and the scoring program Sqorz. Any club wanting to download Timing & Scoring need to apply to Mylaps for a login before downloading from their website.

Eventsoft software: Sqorz

Sqorz is event management software used for managing race events from end to end.

Optional Extras

Wireless Hotspot

A wireless hotspot can be setup to cover the BMX track area.  This hotspot provides a connection back to the decoders.  This connection can then be used for:  Coaches at various locations.  A feed to Commentary to give them passing information.  Plus a connection to the checking station.  Here is an example of an access point for the hotspot.

Access Point example.  Example of where to buy from and expected cost Umart