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.

General Info

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ClosedHOW TO CONFIGURE FINISHLYNX TO RECEIVE A START FROM RADIOLYNX?
  • To do this:
  1. Access the Camera Settings for an EtherLynx camera with a connected RadioLynx receiver.
  2. Click the Inputs tab.
  3. Click to select the Port: used to connect the RadioLynx receiver.
  4. Click to select 000 for the Setup: Id.
  5. Click to select Start Sensor radio button.
  6. 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.
ClosedHOW TO CONFIGURE THE INTERNAL RADIOLYNX?
  • To configure the Internal RadioLynx:
  1. Select a camera with Internal RadioLynx in the Hardware Control window.
  2. Click to access the Camera Settings.
  3. Click the RadioLynx tab.
  4. Click Internal for the Port:.
  5. 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.
ClosedHOW TO CONFIGURE FINISHLYNX TO RECEIVE A PHOTO EYE BREAK FROM RADIOLYNX?
  • To do this:
  1. Access the Camera Settings for an EtherLynx camera with a connected RadioLynx receiver.
  2. Click the Inputs tab.
  3. Click to select the Port: used to connect the RadioLynx receiver.
  4. Click to select 000 for the Setup: Id.
  5. Click to select Photo eye radio button.
  6. Enter a value for Offset. See Scoreboard Configuration for more info.
  7. 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. 
ClosedHOW 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:
  1. Access the Camera Settings for an EtherLynx camera with a connected RadioLynx receiver. 
  2. Click the Start Mask or Photo Eye Mask drop-down list to view the ID’s you have set up. 
  3. 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. 
ClosedHOW 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.

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

 

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:
  1. 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.
ClosedHOW 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:
  1. Configure RadioLynx and send a signal.
  2. Look at the bottom left corner of the window, in the Help Zone of the Status Bar.
  3. 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).

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.
ClosedHOW 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:
  1. Remove the black cap from the front of the receiver and the back of the transmitter (right).
  2. Set the DIP SWITCHES for pair of RadioLynx Transmitter/Receiver to match.
  3. 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.
ClosedHOW 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:
  1. Power ON the while an arrow key is pressed.
  2. The display will show CHA and then the current channel will blink.
  3. Press the Up and Down arrow keys to change the channel.
  4. The system passes automatically to the next setting after 4 seconds of inactivity.
  5. Wait to see TYP and then the current signal type will blink.
  6. Press the Up and Down arrow keys to change the signal type.
  7. The system exits settings modification after 4 seconds of inactivity.

ID Table

ID CHANNEL TYPE ID CHANNEL TYPE ID CHANNEL TYPE ID CHANNEL TYPE
000 000 STA 010 001 STA 020 002 STA 030 003 STA
001 000 L1 011 001 L1 021 002 L1 031 003 L1
002 000 L2 012 001 L2 022 002 L2 032 003 L2
003 000 L3 013 001 L3 023 002 L3 033 003 L3
004 000 L4 014 001 L4 024 002 L4 034 003 L4
005 000 L5 015 001 L5 025 002 L5 035 003 L5
006 000 L6 016 001 L6 026 002 L6 036 003 L6
007 000 L7 017 001 L7 027 002 L7 037 003 L7
008 000 L8 018 001 L8 028 002 L8 038 003 L8
009 000 L9 019 001 L9 029 002 L9 039 003 L9
00A 000 L10 01A 001 L10 02A 002 L10 03A 003 L10
00B 000 L11 01B 001 L11 02B 002 L11 03B 003 L11
00C 000 L12 01C 001 L12 02C 002 L12 03C 003 L12
00D 000 L13 01D 001 L13 02D 002 L13 03D 003 L13
00E 000 L14 01E 001 L14 02E 002 L14 03E 003 L14
00F 000 STO 01F 001 STO 02F 002 STO 03F 003 STO
ClosedHOW 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:
  1. Setup RadioLynx for a photo eye. See HOW TO CONFIGURE FINISHLYNX TO RECEIVE A PHOTO EYE BREAK FROM RADIOLYNX?
  2. 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.