Multiple-Starts Sequence

Medway

At a start the OOD watches the line and he calls individual recall or GR - they have nothing else to do as the box is doing the sound and visual signals.  If recall is called then either the OOD or assistant  presses the orange strobe (individual) or red strobe (general recall) and makes a sound signal.  If its an individual recall the orange strobe goes off after a minute or when all OCS have returned. 

It uses coloured lights - so it can shorten course for individual starts - e.g. green light + flashing orange strobe is shorten course for the handicap fleet.

The sailing instructions allow us to revert to flags if the lights are not working - but I have only seen that happen once in all the time we have used it.  We really only use flag C to indicate a change of course.

One day we'll get around to integrating it with our PC based lap timer and results system - but for now the OOD just needs to remember to start the light/sound box at the same time as they click the "timer start" on the PC. 

If we were to build another one I would like an aural indication that a signal is coming up.

I have a picture of the control end of the box somewhere I'll see if I can dig it out and post it.

Mark

P.S we use the 6-3-0 system for nearly all of our races.  I think you need a 3 minute gap to allow a decent separation and to allow the starting fleet a clear run at the line.  Sometimes when doing junior training we have used 1 minute intervals and I just override the automated time signals and signal the lights and horns manually with the external controls.


Edited by marke - 03 Nov 14 at 3:26pm

The front panel of the control box.  Its about 600mm high - but would be a lot smaller if made today



Edited by marke - 04 Nov 14 at 12:21pm

Originally posted by Medway Maniac Also nice, on a Wednesday with few boats out, say, if it were possible for someone to set it going then shoot off to join the racing.  But now I'm trying to gild the lily...

But who then finishes the race and takes the times?

Here is an idea - how about crowd sourcing a solution.  Find a handful of clubs who are interested and get a common spec sorted out (OK maybe that won't be entirely straightforward) and then go to a contractor to get several built at reasonable cost to you (and reasonable return to the contractor).

P.S would be nice if it had an API so that it could be configured from a PC - i.e our race programme automatically configures the race timing/results software - but would be nice if it could also automatuically configure the lights box as well.