In answer to the initial question SLOW uses mixed punching at all of its events, both Foot O and MTBO. Because of this we have given quite a lot of thought to the question of interrogating SI boxes in the case of a missing competitor. So maybe the first thing to note is that we have added a whole Appendix on the topic to our standard Risk Assessment folder.
On thing that struck us when considering the Missing Competitor Issue is that a lot of folks have a selective vision on it. Namely that a person can only be ‘missing in need of finding’ after courses close. If you have courses starting from 10am and courses closing at 3pm (say) you could have a junior on a short course reporting missing 2 or 3 hours before courses close. Retrieving the course boxes before staring a search would require a set of replacement boxes to be programmed before collecting in the old ones and putting new ones out - surely not practical. And then there is the question, how often have clubs resorted to interrogating SI boxes to find someone? I do not believe that SLOW ever has
So our process focuses on other approaches. One of these is around remote access. At present there only seems to be the one viable remote access system to SI boxes (as previously identified) and we have used this on occasion. I understand that other alternatives are in the pipeline but not yet up to scratch. But the advantage here is that this means information on competitors progress through a unit can be checked ‘real time’. So a strategically placed box can immediately tell the planner how far round a course one or more people have got to. Or even if controls can be collected early from part of the area
SIAC (contactless punching) is it catching on?
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Re: SIAC (contactless punching) is it catching on?
That's interesting and would seem to answer the point about safety - given that it could be argued that the remote access approach with SIAC is at least as safe as interrogating boxes without SIAC, albeit with different plus and minus points.
For the uninitiated, what would be the cost of the system, and what extra work does the organiser need to do? Would it add extra workload for a low tec 60 minute mass start score type of event that we do a log of (which do use traditional SI)?
For the uninitiated, what would be the cost of the system, and what extra work does the organiser need to do? Would it add extra workload for a low tec 60 minute mass start score type of event that we do a log of (which do use traditional SI)?
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Re: SIAC (contactless punching) is it catching on?
SeanC wrote:Electronic punching was a revolution and gave a massive boost to the sport but that was 20 years ago. We're overdue another one. This isn't it.
I'm not convinced we are. For most cross country races I do the timing is still all done manually by hand (a stop watch and a clipboard). I'm lucky if I get to see the results after a week and there are no "lap" times ever produced. Electronic timing chip systems are only used for "major" events even now.
From an organisational point of view (and I am speaking as the main SI person in our club) all the extra equipment/technological requirements just adds to the complexity of our sport for a few key "volunteers" and in most cases adds a considerable time onto the pre-event tasks/set-up etc. (not to mention the cost/upkeep of all the kit). Post event however is a lot quicker now the results are produced "automatically".
Having mixed punching is fine in theory, but it does add a few extra tasks for the SI/IT team for an event but I wouldn't say it was unfair (or unequal).
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Re: SIAC (contactless punching) is it catching on?
Electronic timing chip systems are only used for "major" events even now.
Have a word with Allan, http://www.race-results.info/ usually updated in real time.
- drobin
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Re: SIAC (contactless punching) is it catching on?
One drawback of SIAC is when using in a convensional event where controls are grippled.
The end of the unit is quite large, and it is very difficult to get the punch to register.
I was given as a mispunch yesterday when I thought I had punched the control, and was witnessed doing so. The time saved when using in contactless mode is great, but it is costing me more time when using with gripples.
The end of the unit is quite large, and it is very difficult to get the punch to register.
I was given as a mispunch yesterday when I thought I had punched the control, and was witnessed doing so. The time saved when using in contactless mode is great, but it is costing me more time when using with gripples.
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Re: SIAC (contactless punching) is it catching on?
A combination of BSF8 units (the smaller ones) and 1mm gripple wires overcomes that problem since the wire can be threaded through the holes on the unit rather than the punching hole. Although the 1mm wires may be weaker than thicker diameter ones we have found them more than adequate to deter the casual vandal. At the Brighton City Race one friendly local tried to extract the unit by constantly twisting the unit. The wire was ruined but neither it nor the gripple or unit gave.
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