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Instructions
for using the Race Control Computer
New
Instructions for 2002
If you are asked to do the OOD duties then you
should use the race control computer to control the starting and to get the
timing correct. These instructions tell you how to set-up and use the
computer.
It is assumed that you know what the OOD duties
are and the basic principles of setting the course, running the race and
calculating the results.
Sound Signals
New for this year is that the horn is finally
wired into the control box. In fact there are two horns (I am trying to
make up for lost time!). For the best results set up the air horn which is
stored in the green box.
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The green box
contains a air horn (preferred option) which should be setup to the
West of the race box and the firing cable led through the window.
Unplug the switch on the end of the cable and plug the jack plug into the
horn socket under the computer shelf.
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The siren is
permanently wired into the race box.
Step by Step Instructions
Turn the mains power on. Make sure the circuit breakers (to the west
of the door) are both on. Above the window there are two sockets on the
right and one on the left, make sure all of these are on. Make sure that
all the light switches are in the 'off' position.
The race computer is a laptop. It plugs into the docking station which is on
the bench. You don’t need to open up the laptop, just keep the lid closed
and use the external mouse and keyboard. Turn the laptop on by pressing the
small power button on the left had side, near the front. It needs help in for
about half a second or so.
Wait for the computer to complete its boot process. It will come up in
Windows 98. The race control program is automatically started but may
not be visible. If the window does not appear on the screen, use the
mouse to click on the 'RaceBox' task in the taskbar at the bottom of the
screen.
The initial screen shows the current settings. The program defaults to
a single start with 3 minutes between intervals and a single start.
- If you want to change the interval between the starts press the number 1
through 9 corresponding to the number of minutes required.
- If you want to change the number of starts press the + and/or - keys
until the required number of starts are shown.
- At the set-up screen the 'T' will quickly test that all the lights are
working. Each light is switched on in sequence (mirrored on the
screen). The 'H' key will test the horn(s).
- When ready to start the sequence press the 'S' key. If the starts
are to be synchronised against a clock time, press this key 6 seconds plus
two interval times before the required start time of the first (or only)
start.
- The screen then shows a count down clock giving 6 seconds to the start of
the sequence. To abort the sequence, exit the program by pressing 'Q'
or the Escape key (this can be done at any time). During the start
sequence the status of the lamps is shown on the screen. Watch the
screen at the appropriate times make the sound signal. Note that the
status line below the clock changes to inverse just before the next signal
is required.
- During the start sequence monitor the progress of the boats and ensure
that none are over the start line at the actual start. If boats are
over then you must manually do an individual or general recall. If
necessary quit the program and start the sequence again.
- After the last (or only) start the screen changes to show a count up
clock. This shows the elapsed time since the last start in the
sequence. Simple instructions are shown on the screen.
- To record the time of a boat (without any sound or light signals)
press the 'L' (lap time) key. The current time is then recorded at
the end of the list of times. The time is displayed as h:mm:ss and
in brackets as the number of seconds (useful if calculating handicaps).
- When a boat finishes press the 'F' key or space bar. The time is
recorded and a sound signal is made. Note down the time on the
race results sheet. If you are recording handicap times from other
than the last start of the sequence you must add compensation for time
difference between the boat's real start and the last start in the
sequence.
- If the list of times becomes full press the 'C' key to clear the
list. Remember to write down the times first as they are lost
after the list is cleared.
When the last boat has finished, press the 'Q' or Escape key exit the
program.
Finally with the mouse select 'Start' (bottom right of the screen), then
shut down and confirm that you want to shut down the computer.
If things go wrong quit the program using the 'Q' or Escape keys. The
program can be restarted by double clicking on the RaceBox icon (looks like a
ship!) on the desk top. Then go back to step 3 of these instructions
Calculating
Handicaps
Handicaps are easy to
calculate provided you know the handicap number that should be used. Most
people should know their handicaps, if not there is a list of handicaps in the
race officer's pack.
Non-Average Laps
Use the calculator
and enter the elapsed time in seconds (this should have been
recorded direct from the computer). Divide this number by the handicap
and multiply the results by 1000. The result is the
Corrected Time. Record this number on the race sheet (one decimal place is
sufficient).
Average Lap Races
Use the calculator
and enter the total time in seconds (this should have been
recorded direct from the computer). Divide this time by the number
of laps that this boats (different boats can do a different number of laps).
Divide the result by the handicap and multiply the answer
by 1000. The result is the Corrected Time. Record this number
on the race sheet (one decimal place is sufficient).
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