How to test signal levels with 2710 timing system
Started by KenHale34 · May 24, 2019 · 11336 views
I own one of the 2710 wireless timing systems and run the XLSCORE 2 software. I just added a couple of flat panel antenna for extra signal to the end of the track.
How can I be sure the antennas are installed correctly and all cable connections are good?
How can I be sure the antennas are installed correctly and all cable connections are good?
How can I be sure the antennas are installed correctly and all cable connections are good?
Both the 2700 XL Wireless and the 2710 XL Wireless timing systems have built-in diagnostics to help identify the cause of issues quickly. To enter RF Integrity mode, press * then 5. Then press 5 again and again to walk through all the diagnostic choices until the top display shows \'rF tCd\', then press #. RF Integrity mode monitors live two-way communications between the timer, tree, and all T-Links on the track.
The top row contains \'rF tCd\' where the t is the tee, the C is the left lane T-Link at the end of the track, and the d is the right lane T-Link at the end of the track. The bottom row contains \'gHEFJL\' where each letter represents the ID of a T-Link on the track. For 1/4 mile long tracks, the g and H represent the left and right lane T-Links at the 330ft line, the E and F represent the left and right lane T-Links at the 660ft line, and the J and L represent the left and right T-Links at the 1,000ft line.
When the # is pressed, all the letters (T-Link IDs) change to a number 0 through 9, or a dash. This represents the level of communications between the timer, tree and each T-Link. The timer is continuously polling all the RF devices on the track and displaying the status of the last 10 polls. 0 through 9 represent 0% to 90%, and the dash represents 100%. At first the numbers may count up then stabilize and change slowly up and down in value. A good RF Integrity is an 8 or 9 and a perfect RF Integrity is a dash (100%).
A loose antenna connection will display a 3 or a 4 or even a zero (no RF communications for that T-Link). The lower numbers will identify where the RF link is weak and which T-Link or tree needs attention. These RF links are very important to the operation of the wireless system and adding high gain antennas to the timer and the T-Link at the end of the track make a big difference measured by this diagnostic.
Both the 2700 XL Wireless and the 2710 XL Wireless timing systems have built-in diagnostics to help identify the cause of issues quickly. To enter RF Integrity mode, press * then 5. Then press 5 again and again to walk through all the diagnostic choices until the top display shows \'rF tCd\', then press #. RF Integrity mode monitors live two-way communications between the timer, tree, and all T-Links on the track.
The top row contains \'rF tCd\' where the t is the tee, the C is the left lane T-Link at the end of the track, and the d is the right lane T-Link at the end of the track. The bottom row contains \'gHEFJL\' where each letter represents the ID of a T-Link on the track. For 1/4 mile long tracks, the g and H represent the left and right lane T-Links at the 330ft line, the E and F represent the left and right lane T-Links at the 660ft line, and the J and L represent the left and right T-Links at the 1,000ft line.
When the # is pressed, all the letters (T-Link IDs) change to a number 0 through 9, or a dash. This represents the level of communications between the timer, tree and each T-Link. The timer is continuously polling all the RF devices on the track and displaying the status of the last 10 polls. 0 through 9 represent 0% to 90%, and the dash represents 100%. At first the numbers may count up then stabilize and change slowly up and down in value. A good RF Integrity is an 8 or 9 and a perfect RF Integrity is a dash (100%).
A loose antenna connection will display a 3 or a 4 or even a zero (no RF communications for that T-Link). The lower numbers will identify where the RF link is weak and which T-Link or tree needs attention. These RF links are very important to the operation of the wireless system and adding high gain antennas to the timer and the T-Link at the end of the track make a big difference measured by this diagnostic.
I was running the RF Integrity and found the PC will not communicate to the system to start a race. Can I monitor the RF while the system is running to better see if the RF level changes during a run?
Can I monitor the RF while the system is running to better see if the RF level changes during a run?
No, if the timer is running the RF Integrity monitor, it will not communicate with the PC since it is busy testing the tree and T-link communications levels. Attempting to start the tree on the PC will cause the PC to report a connection error with the timer. Press # on the timer to exit RF Integrity mode prior to attempting to operate the timing system or start the tree.
No, if the timer is running the RF Integrity monitor, it will not communicate with the PC since it is busy testing the tree and T-link communications levels. Attempting to start the tree on the PC will cause the PC to report a connection error with the timer. Press # on the timer to exit RF Integrity mode prior to attempting to operate the timing system or start the tree.
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