RadioLynx Wireless Start (RL) Plug-In

The RadioLynx Wireless Start (RL) Plug-In allows you to send start and photo eye signals to EtherLynx cameras with the RadioLynx Transmitter and Receiver.

An added advantage of these devices is that any signal they receive can be automatically retransmitted up to 16 times until the receiver acknowledges receipt. FinishLynx will then retroactively start the clock, or take a split, based on the signal time-stamp and not on when the signal was received. This is a significant improvement over previous technologies where the impulse was transmitted once and if it was missed (because of radio interference or the like), it was gone for good.

Internal RadioLynx

Vision-Series cameras offer an Internal RadioLynx option. Instead of connecting the RadioLynx Receiver (DecRadio) to the camera or C-Box, simply connect an antenna directly to the Vision or Vision PRO camera back panel.

Video

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How to configure FinishLynx to receive a start from RadioLynx?

To do this:

Access the Camera Settings for an EtherLynx camera with a connected RadioLynx receiver.
Click the Inputs tab.
Click to select the Port: used to connect the RadioLynx receiver.
Click to select 000 for the Setup: Id.
Click to select Start Sensor radio button.
Click Ok.

note: The RadioLynx Transmitter defaults to Channel 0 and Signal Type STA, which corresponds to Id 000 in FinishLynx.

tip: Type a name in the text box provided. If you are using more than one transmitter, we suggest you name each transmitter something different (for example, “400-meter start,” “200-meter start”). The name will help identify the transmitter in the Status Bar.

How to configure the internal RadioLynx?

To configure the Internal RadioLynx:

Select a camera with Internal RadioLynx in the Hardware Control window.
Click to access the Camera Settings.
Click the RadioLynx tab.
Click Internal for the Port:.
Select the Frequency that matches the RadioLynx Transmitter (EncRadio).

note: Each digit of the Frequency (left to right - 0=OFF; 1=ON) match a DIP switch (1 to 4) on the RadioLynx Transmitter (EncRadio). For example, setting the DIP switches 1=OFF, 2=OFF, 3=OFF, 4=ON is the same as selecting 0001.

How to configure FinishLynx to receive a photo eye break from RadioLynx?

To do this:

Access the Camera Settings for an EtherLynx camera with a connected RadioLynx receiver.
Click the Inputs tab.
Click to select the Port: used to connect the RadioLynx receiver.
Click to select 000 for the Setup: Id.
Click to select Photo eye radio button.
Enter a value for Offset. See Scoreboard Configuration for more info.
Click Ok.

note: When RadioLynx is used to receive photo eye breaks instead of the photo eye ports on the Connection Box, the Photo Eyes: setting on the Inputs Tab should be set to None.

tip: If you are using a photo eye to send leader splits to a scoreboard, type a comma-separated list (for example: 40-60,1:35- ) in the “Active Time” text box of time ranges when break times are allowed.

How to use active time to avoid unwanted beam breaks?

For example, let’s say you have one photo eye set up at the 400-meter mark in an 800-meter race. You want the scoreboard to ignore a photo eye beam break occurring before 40 seconds and after 60 seconds. On the second lap, you want the scoreboard to ignore a photo eye beam break occurring before 1:35.

Type, “40-60,1:35-“ in the “Active Time” text box.
Click to select "One event per active time period" checkbox to ignore beam breaks after the leader.
Click Ok.

tip: Additionally, Set Auto Break to Pause in the Scoreboard | Options... and the running time on the scoreboard pauses when the first runner breaks the photo eye at the 400-meter mark, and again when the first runner breaks the photo eye at the 800-meter mark.

note: You may type as many ranges as you like, or leave this field blank if you want all signals received to be recorded.

How to manage multiple RadioLynx transmitters?

Use the mask feature if you have set up more than one transmitter and if you want FinishLynx to ignore a start signal or photo eye beam break.

To add a mask and disable a specific RadioLynx Id:

Access the Camera Settings for an EtherLynx camera with a connected RadioLynx receiver.
Click the Start Mask or Photo Eye Mask drop-down list to view the ID’s you have set up.
To mask a start signal or a photo eye beam break, uncheck the name of the Start Sensor or Photo Eye in the drop-down list by clicking it once.

For example, if you want to mask the start signal called “Start 001,” uncheck it. To remove a mask and enable a specific RadioLynx Id, check the ID in the drop-down list by clicking on it once.

How to monitor the RadioLynx battery level?

Software Tools

FinishLynx warns the operator of a low battery by displaying a message in the Status Bar when the RadioLynx transmitters in your competition setup have a low battery and a warning message will be displayed when an event is armed.

Figure: RadioLynx Wireless Start

tip: Right-click the Status Bar and select RadioLynx from the pop-up menu to see the last status message.

Figure: RadioLynx Wireless Start

Hardware tools

The RadioLynx Transmitter emits three (3) beeps on start up and after each signal when the batteries are low (about 50 impulses remaining from the first triple beep).

To view the battery level:

Press the ON/OFF button once.

The battery level will appear as a percentage.

note: Recharging the RadioLynx Transmitter takes approximately 1.5 hours. When plugged in, an amber LED indicates charging is underway and a green LED, that charging is complete.

How to monitor the RadioLynx performance information?

FinishLynx* Quick Info* displays the number of attempts the latest RadioLynx signal was sent by the transmitter before it was received. When the transmission is strong and clear, a low Packet number will be displayed.

To view the RadioLynx performance:

Configure RadioLynx and send a signal.
Look at the bottom left corner of the window, in the Help Zone of the Status Bar.
The Quick Info reads: "RadioLynx: <Start or Photoeye> <Id> Packet #"

The number (#) represents how many time the signal was sent before it was received by FinishLynx (up to 16 for a long transmission).

Figure: RadioLynx Wireless Start

note: The Help Zone will display a Camera name or Tool Tips if the mouse hovers over an image pane or an icon. Simply move the mouse to view the RadioLynx Quick Info.

tip: Right-click the Status Bar and select RadioLynx from the pop-up menu to see the last status message.

How to setup a primary and backup system?

To reduce the risk of a missed signal due to interference, it is recommended to change the transmission frequency for each pair of RadioLynx Transmitter/Receiver used simultaneously. The frequency is selected by the DIP SWITCHES in each device.

To change the transmission frequency:

Remove the black cap from the front of the receiver and the back of the transmitter (right).
Set the DIP SWITCHES for pair of RadioLynx Transmitter/Receiver to match.
Set the DIP SWICHES differently for the second pair of RadioLynx Transmitter/Receiver.

note: This is different from the ID. Both the RadioLynx Transmitter and Receiver must have the same frequency to communicate.

How to use multiple transmitters with the same receiver?

The Id selected in the Camera Settings is dependent on the configured Channel and Signal Type of the RadioLynx Transmitter (EncRadio). By correctly matching the hardware and software, all Ids in the drop-down can be used. This allows the operator to use multiple RadioLynx Transmitters with only one RadioLynx receiver.

To change the RadioLynx Transmitter (EncRadio) Channel and Signal Type:

Power ON the while an arrow key is pressed.
The display will show CHA and then the current channel will blink.
Press the Up and Down arrow keys to change the channel.
The system passes automatically to the next setting after 4 seconds of inactivity.
Wait to see TYP and then the current signal type will blink.
Press the Up and Down arrow keys to change the signal type.
The system exits settings modification after 4 seconds of inactivity.

ID Table

ID	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE
000	STA	010	001	STA	020	002	STA	030	003	STA
001	L1	011	001	L1	021	002	L1	031	003	L1
002	L2	012	001	L2	022	002	L2	032	003	L2
003	L3	013	001	L3	023	002	L3	033	003	L3
004	L4	014	001	L4	024	002	L4	034	003	L4
005	L5	015	001	L5	025	002	L5	035	003	L5
006	L6	016	001	L6	026	002	L6	036	003	L6
007	L7	017	001	L7	027	002	L7	037	003	L7
008	L8	018	001	L8	028	002	L8	038	003	L8
009	L9	019	001	L9	029	002	L9	039	003	L9
00A	L10	01A	001	L10	02A	002	L10	03A	003	L10
00B	L11	01B	001	L11	02B	002	L11	03B	003	L11
00C	L12	01C	001	L12	02C	002	L12	03C	003	L12
00D	L13	01D	001	L13	02D	002	L13	03D	003	L13
00E	L14	01E	001	L14	02E	002	L14	03E	003	L14
00F	STO	01F	001	STO	02F	002	STO	03F	003	STO

How to use RadioLynx to send bib number?

In Time Trial Mode, RadioLynx can be used to send the competitors bib number to FinishLynx.

To send competitor bib numbers with RadioLynx:

Setup RadioLynx for a photo eye. See HOW TO CONFIGURE FINISHLYNX TO RECEIVE A PHOTO EYE BREAK FROM RADIOLYNX?
Press the arrow keys on the RadioLynx Transmitter (EncRadio) LED to select the next competitor's bib number.

When a beam break occurs, the bib number will be sent with the time.

note: The bib number will automatically increment to the next number after a signal is sent.

ID	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE
000	STA	010	001	STA	020	002	STA	030	003	STA
001	L1	011	001	L1	021	002	L1	031	003	L1
002	L2	012	001	L2	022	002	L2	032	003	L2
003	L3	013	001	L3	023	002	L3	033	003	L3
004	L4	014	001	L4	024	002	L4	034	003	L4
005	L5	015	001	L5	025	002	L5	035	003	L5
006	L6	016	001	L6	026	002	L6	036	003	L6
007	L7	017	001	L7	027	002	L7	037	003	L7
008	L8	018	001	L8	028	002	L8	038	003	L8
009	L9	019	001	L9	029	002	L9	039	003	L9
00A	L10	01A	001	L10	02A	002	L10	03A	003	L10
00B	L11	01B	001	L11	02B	002	L11	03B	003	L11
00C	L12	01C	001	L12	02C	002	L12	03C	003	L12
00D	L13	01D	001	L13	02D	002	L13	03D	003	L13
00E	L14	01E	001	L14	02E	002	L14	03E	003	L14
00F	STO	01F	001	STO	02F	002	STO	03F	003	STO

ID	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE
000	STA	010	001	STA	020	002	STA	030	003	STA
001	L1	011	001	L1	021	002	L1	031	003	L1
002	L2	012	001	L2	022	002	L2	032	003	L2
003	L3	013	001	L3	023	002	L3	033	003	L3
004	L4	014	001	L4	024	002	L4	034	003	L4
005	L5	015	001	L5	025	002	L5	035	003	L5
006	L6	016	001	L6	026	002	L6	036	003	L6
007	L7	017	001	L7	027	002	L7	037	003	L7
008	L8	018	001	L8	028	002	L8	038	003	L8
009	L9	019	001	L9	029	002	L9	039	003	L9
00A	L10	01A	001	L10	02A	002	L10	03A	003	L10
00B	L11	01B	001	L11	02B	002	L11	03B	003	L11
00C	L12	01C	001	L12	02C	002	L12	03C	003	L12
00D	L13	01D	001	L13	02D	002	L13	03D	003	L13
00E	L14	01E	001	L14	02E	002	L14	03E	003	L14
00F	STO	01F	001	STO	02F	002	STO	03F	003	STO

ID	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE	ID	CHANNEL	TYPE
000	STA	010	001	STA	020	002	STA	030	003	STA
001	L1	011	001	L1	021	002	L1	031	003	L1
002	L2	012	001	L2	022	002	L2	032	003	L2
003	L3	013	001	L3	023	002	L3	033	003	L3
004	L4	014	001	L4	024	002	L4	034	003	L4
005	L5	015	001	L5	025	002	L5	035	003	L5
006	L6	016	001	L6	026	002	L6	036	003	L6
007	L7	017	001	L7	027	002	L7	037	003	L7
008	L8	018	001	L8	028	002	L8	038	003	L8
009	L9	019	001	L9	029	002	L9	039	003	L9
00A	L10	01A	001	L10	02A	002	L10	03A	003	L10
00B	L11	01B	001	L11	02B	002	L11	03B	003	L11
00C	L12	01C	001	L12	02C	002	L12	03C	003	L12
00D	L13	01D	001	L13	02D	002	L13	03D	003	L13
00E	L14	01E	001	L14	02E	002	L14	03E	003	L14
00F	STO	01F	001	STO	02F	002	STO	03F	003	STO