NLSIC Equipment

NLSIC is the North London SportIdent Consortium. For background information, see the main Equipment page.

Please note that NLSIC does not supply control kites or computers.

Control Units

Standard Controls

NLSIC owns over 100 controls. These are mostly type BSF7, although the Schools Kit (see below) has type BSF8. Operationally there is no difference between the two types – the BSF8 unit is smaller but contains the same hardware.

The controls have a defined control code, which is programmed into the unit and the unit is labelled accordingly.

Although they can be used in ‘fly-by’ mode, at most events they are used in ‘standard’ mode, whereby the competitor inserts their dibber into the unit. The action of inserting the dibber transfers the time to the dibber and the number of the dibber and the time to the unit. When these transfers are successfully completed the unit will flash and bleep.

Because of the timer drift inherent in the units they must all be synchronised shortly before the race. See 'Time Sync Units' below.

Units are turned on by any dibber. This takes slightly longer than subsequent dibbing. Hence, for fairness, all controls should be turned on before the first competitor reaches them.

All units are normally set to turn themselves off 4 hours after the last activation by a competitor, but they can be turned off sooner with a purple Service/Off Dibber. It is expected that all units are turned off as soon as possible after the race, in order to extend the battery life.

Start/Finish/Clear/Check

The above standard controls can also be programmed to be one of the following:

• Start

• Finish

• Clear

• Check

• Battery Check. For use with SIAC (i.e. fly-by) cards/dibbers.

A Start control has two modes, set by using the purple Service/off dibber:

• Standard. For recording the start time of a competitor.

• Start with Clock. As well as recording the start time, the unit will beep at minute intervals (similar to a start clock). This latter mode is seldom used as it is battery intensive.

Master Stations

NLSIC owns seven Master Stations (type BSM7), all with RS232 connectivity, for competitors to download their dibbers at the end of a race into the event computer.

As with control units, Master Stations can be turned on with any dibber, but it takes a purple Service/Off dibber to turn them off.

Master Stations are also the means by which control units are programmed and monitored. This is not the responsibility of the planner and will have been done before the planner receives the equipment.

Time Sync Units

The Consortium owns two Time Syncs. These are blue BSF8 based units. Their principal use is the time synchronisation of units before a race.

A Time Sync unit has three modes of operation, which are selected by repreated insertion of the purple Service/off dibber:

• Clear. The unit can be used as a Clear control but rarely is.

• Time Master. In this mode, when joined to another unit using a coupling stick (see ‘SI Tools’), the time is transferred to the other unit.

• Extended Master ('Ext Master'). Similar to Time Master mode, but as well as writing the time, the other unit will be cleared of existing records. This is an important step so that a unit can be used at the end of a race to locate outstanding runners.

Before the Time Sync is supplied to the user/planner it will have been set to radio/internet time. It is then ready to set the time on all the units being used in the event - the procedure is detailed in a handout included with each hire.

Other Equipment

SI Tools

Hirers are supplied with a pouch or pouches known as 'SI Tools', including:

• Purple Service/Off dibber. References to its use are included in these notes at various points.

• Coupling stick. This is used for inductive coupling between units, e.g. when time synching or when programming a unit using a master station.

Stakes

NLSIC has two types of control stakes available:

• Alloy. Can be used at any event but mandatory at Level A and preferred at Level B. Alloy stakes have labels conforming to the size and font mandated by the rules.

• Fibre. Usually used at lower level events. There is no labelling so competitors have to look at the number on the control unit for identification. Lighter and less bulky to carry than alloy stakes, but require some kind of tool to make a starter hole in most ground conditions.

All stakes are equipped with a pin punch for backup punching in case of control unit failure.

Gripples and Cable Ties

Metal gripples are available and are often used in urban races. These consist of a length of hardened wire with a lock. They are released by the use of a key.

Gripples are available in three lengths:

• ~1m, usually used for attaching to fences/gates/drainpipes etc.

• ~2m

• ~3m, used for attaching to objects such as trees

NLSIC does not stock cable ties for equivalent use because these tend to take up too much space in the hole of the control unit, hence making it more difficult for the competitor to punch quickly.

Dibbers

NLSIC has the following for hire:

• ~50 Type 5

• ~10 Type 9

• ~20 Type 8 (these are part of the Schools Kit; see later)

• ~20 SIAC

Splits Printers

NLSIC has three Splits printers, all equipped with USB connectivity.

Inverter

NLSIC has an inverter which is useful if there is a risk that power supply (such as a generator) should fail.

Clock

NLSIC has a remote-controlled start clock. It can be set to any appropriate time and therefore used either as a start clock or call-up clock.

Schools Kit

The Schools Kit consists of:

• carrying case containing 10 controls, 1 start, 1 finish and 1 clear/time sync (all type BSF 8’s) and ~20 type 8 dibbers

• carrying case containing Martel (Model MCP 7830-242) printer with Printer Station unit (BSF7)

• 12 alloy stakes (optional use)