Using EMIT
Kit
Orange e-units (with a small
red light to indicate that the e-card has registered the punch) mounted on
L-shaped aluminium stakes, each with a uniquely positioned spike and a unique
number.
MAIN EVENT KIT
Current BASOC
numbers are:
31 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 56, 58, 59, 60 -
64, 72 - 79, 80, 82 - 85, 87, 88, 90, 92 - 97,
100 (x2)
Two Finish line units (control units 249)
and 2 Start units
Number 100 is usually used as the last
control
TRAINING AND
STREET EVENT KIT
(e-unit plus plate can be easily lifted
off the aluminium stake and securely attached to
posts and fences)
These units can also be used for main
events.
Current BASOC numbers are:
150, 151, 156, 160, 171 – 176, 178, 181 –
184
One Finish line unit (249) and 1 Start
unit
Green/orange e-cards (‘bricks’)
with an elastic loop and optional backup cards
Mini timer recorder (MTR unit)
linked by cable to a thermal mini-printer (EPR3) loaded with thermal
paper
Recharger unit for the
thermal mini-printer (plugs into UK mains sockets)
The Procedure
THE NIGHT BEFORE
Put the thermal mini-printer on
charge. Keep an eye on it because it
should not be charged beyond the point where the red light changes to green
(this could take up to 4 hours but usually takes much less time). The printer must be switched off during the
charging procedure.
Check that the mini-printer has
sufficient paper. (Note that the mini-printer paper is only impregnated on one
side.)
(OPTIONAL) If you are using the
backup cards, attach them to the e-cards with yellow side out.
Check that the Start unit(s) is
working (see if an e-card generates a flashing red light on the unit). Competitors will also know if their e-card
is working if the Start unit shows a red light during the Start routine. Also check each of the control units in the
same way before putting them out in the forest.
ON THE DAY
Issue e-cards at Registration. The backup cards are only necessary very
large events.
Put one or two of the Finish
control units at the Finish line, clearly separated from the Start unit on the
Start line to avoid any possible mistake (a runner wrongly using the Start unit
at the Finish will clear all the data for the run). The Finish unit appears as
control unit 249 on the printout for each competitor. A FINISH banner is also helpful.
Preferably site the MTR unit and the mini-printer a few metres after the Finish. Make sure that the two are connected by the cable and switch on the mini-printer as the first finisher approaches.
To avoid running down the internal battery of the mini-printer, the download can be run using a connection to the club generator or the 12V outlet from a car battery.
When competitors finish, collect the e-card, ‘punch’ it on
the MTR unit and the mini-printer will generate a printout showing the split
times and the total time for that runner.
Note that no e-card can be downloaded again straightaway unless a
different e-card has been downloaded in between times. For a provisional results service at the
event, the time for the run can be written on a pre-printed stub which already
has the runner’s details on it. The
runner can then be given the tear-off slip of split times which he/she can check
against their control descriptions. Don’t
forget to retain the e-card unless it is the competitor’s own property.
It is usually too time-consuming at the event to check that
every competitor has visited the correct controls in the correct order and it
is not necessary if EMIT software is being used to generate the results after
the event – see below. If there are any
problems and the backup cards have been used (very large events), you can check
the backup card impressions (each of the e-units used for controls has a
uniquely positioned spike).
A laptop computer with the EMIT software helps to improve
the efficiency of the organisation in two main ways. If the event data are set up and the control codes for each
course are entered into the computer in advance, runner information can be
entered by a helper at Registration and the e-cards can be downloaded into the
computer after the competitor finishes, producing an immediate result with
disqualification check. Competitors get
their splits at the same time. Full results either for printing or for the web
are then generated at the click of a button.
If the computer is not used at the event, the event data, control codes
and competitor data have to be typed into the software afterwards and the
results are then spooled from the MTR connected to the computer.
The first method requires experienced helpers at the event
and access to an electricity supply from the club generator or a car battery,
but if this can be done the organiser has very little to do to produce the
results after the event. For smaller
events however, e.g. evening events, with fewer runners, the second method of
producing results after the event is still fairly quick so long as the person
doing it has the expertise.
If you intend to spool all the results from the MTR unit, it
is best to ensure that the unit and the mini-printer are kept on continuously
from the first to the last download.
This is because the results will then be treated as one event and can be
spooled as such into the software afterwards.
For larger events such as Scottish O League events where
there could be over 300 competitors and a pre-entry system, a network of 2
laptop computers run from the club generator is required.