This has the latest timing software to download and has a series of videos that will help you get comfortable with the setup and use of the timing gate hardware and RaceHQ software. This article has:
- Before you start
- Minimum Specification
- Quick Start - Sprints
- Quick Start - Pack
- RaceHQ update steps
- RaceHQ Setup Videos (1-6)
- FAQs and Tips
- Using two or more systems at the same location
- Missing Events in Saved Events
- Battery Recommendations
- Trolley Assembly
- Setting up lane draws (Race Lane data)
- Enabling Race Lane data in RaceHQ
- How to use RaceHQ Saved Events across a network
- Beta download and install steps
1. Before you start
Please note the following:
We recommend downloading the latest live version of RaceHQ using the link provided below. It's best not to update a previously installed version, as recent updates mean older versions may no longer be recognised on your device.
Available RaceHQ Versions:
1. RaceHQ - V3.24.03 (Current BETA)
Release Date: 31/10/2024
PLEASE NOTE: The current BETA version has a specific issue when using a secondary race timer. If your Centre times races this way, please continue using the current LIVE version of RaceHQ. Another BETA version with a fix for this issue is expected to be released in the coming days.
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- This version is required for compatibility with the StartLine functionality of the new ResultsHQ Mobile App.
- For additional information, refer to the ResultsHQ Mobile App Summary – Timing Solutions Support Forum.
- This version also requires the user to login using their credentials. You will have to login using the Centre SuperUser credentials that were setup in Centre Admin on the web.
- Note: If you're using the previous beta V3.23.97 we recommend you update to V3.24.03 as it is better optimised for performance and less intensive on the CPU.
- Please keep in mind: A BETA version is an early release of software intended for a limited user group for testing. It includes most intended features but may still have bugs or missing elements. The purpose is to gather user feedback, identify issues in real-world scenarios, and make improvements before the official release. BETA versions are generally temporary and updated based on user reports until a stable version is ready.
2. RaceHQ - V3.23.29 (Current LIVE)
Release Date: 30/09/2023
Download RaceHQ V3.23.29
- This version is NOT compatible with the StartLine functionality of the new ResultsHQ App. You can continue using the Web StartLine option instead. (Please note, the previous StartLine App is no longer supported).
- As this is an older version of RaceHQ, it does not include the latest improvements but may be more suitable for systems with limited power or older hardware.
- Support for this version is planned to continue until 31/12/2024.
- Please note that all other / previous versions of RaceHQ will no longer be supported.
WiFi Timing Hub Driver:
If you're experiencing issues with your WiFi Timing Hub being recognized by your computer, you can download the necessary driver here:
Download WiFi Timing Hub Driver
For additional help, check out our resources on the Timing Solutions YouTube channel.
2. Minimum spec
- Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7 (32 or 64-bit)
- I5 or I7 processor
- Quad-core processor
- At least 4Gb of RAM
- Anti Glare screen with at least 13" monitor
- 3 USB ports
- Longest battery life possible
3. Quick Start - Sprints
- Place the weighted bases on the track
- Set up the Wireless Timing Gates
- Connect the Timing Hub to your laptop computer
- Open the RaceHQ software from your desktop
- In the RaceHQ Setup screen connect your wireless timing gates, from inside track to out, one at a time
- Connect your Wireless Start device/s
- Press Continue and proceed to Race Screen
- Run your Race
4. Quick Start Guide: Pack Races
- If using a wireless start device, connect the Timing Hub to your laptop computer
- Open RaceHQ
- If using a wireless start device, connect your wireless start device to the setup screen and press Continue
- If not using a wireless start device press Show Non-Gated Race
- Run your Race
- Press the Space Bar to record finish times, or use the wireless transmitter to signal finish times
5. RaceHQ update steps
NOTE - how to do Software and firmware updates...gate firmware v1.24 needs extras attention via this video
6. RaceHQ Setup Videos
1. Set up of bases and gates
2. Close up of the timing gate and bases going together
3. Connecting the timing gates and start device to the laptop
4. Close up of how to turn on the timing gates and change batteries
5. Close up the timing hub USB cord and start the device
6. Having a detailed look at all the settings options in RaceHQ
7. FAQs and Tips
Here is a list of items that will hopefully help your experience with the RaceHQ app and hardware... Download the one-page PDF here
Windows Updates:
- Currently, Windows 10 has a lot of regular updates coming from Microsoft
- These updates may not always be obvious, but they can make the laptop work harder than usual causing sluggish performance
- There have also been some cases of drivers for the timing hub and printers being uninstalled without warning
- So if your computer is sluggish, misbehaving, not finding printers/timing hubs and/or has gone through a large volume of data, then this is most likely the cause
- You can control when and if the laptop will do these updates - more
Optimal Reception – make sure:
- This article has a number of tips for Reception issues
- Each gate can see the antenna on your timing hub
- The start device/s can see (has a direct line of sight) your antenna on your timing hub - we recommend placing the start device on a stand/tripod to maintain a standard height for optimal reception like this
- The antenna on your timing hub is pointing up towards the sky
- The antenna is connected properly to the timing hub or the extension cord
- The antenna from that timing hub is above head height and with a metal/aluminium structure in the way of its line of sight
- If you still have poor reception, then your timing hub could have been damaged, please contact us to arrange a quick turnaround repair
Timing Gates – make sure:
- The arrow on the base of the gates points along the finish line and towards the sunniest side of the track
- You turn the gates on in order from the inside of lane one first, then the next gate etc.
- Before you turn the next gate on – check the battery levels, reception levels and 4 green dots for alignment
- Every gate shows four green dots, if not, stop and find out why you do not have four green dots
- The pair of just you have just turned on, makes a beep when you walkthrough
Start device – make sure:
- When you turn it on it connects to your set-up screen
- Check the battery and reception levels
Troubleshooting tips:
- Ensure the power settings on your laptop prevent the laptop from going to sleep
- If using multiple sets of timing gates/devices, only have one system in “set up” at a time - more
- Always do a test race before you start your first proper race to confirm all working
- Ensure the timing hub and USB cords are protected from being unplugged/bumped/disrupted
- Make sure the timing hub USB cord is plugged directly into the laptop, not via a USB multi-hub
- If you have “alignment” issues with a yellow lane and a red cross, untick a lane and tick it back on. Note this indicator lets you still run a race but that lane will not get a time
- If you get some crazy time (this is from the USB Hub getting disrupted), it will be best to try and go back to “set up” and come back into the “race” screen and do a test race. Otherwise, you may have to turn off RaceHQ – unplug the timing hub – wait one minute – plug the hub back into the laptop via a new USB port – restart RaceHQ and set it up again (note the latest 3 series 3.22.86 onwards has this fixed)
8. Using two or more systems at the same location
If you are using two or more timing systems on the track, you must ensure you only have one system on the setup screen at one point. If two or more systems are on the setup screen simultaneously, then these systems will be seeing and talking to other systems simultaneously...which will cause issues!
So you can either make sure you only have one system set up and talk to their respective wireless hardware units simultaneously. Once that first system is in Race mode, you can turn on your next timing station and repeat the process.
Otherwise, using the "Use Preconfigured List" option in Setting General, you can lock the gate/s and start device/s to a single laptop. Note in combination with this pairing of devices to a laptop, we also recommend colour coding the gates and starting device with electrical tape or stickers, etc, so that visually, they are apparent.
Follow these steps to pair your devices to your laptop...Note you will only be able to use these gates/start devices with that laptop, so mark them to make sure they all stay together.
9. Missing Events in Saved Events
If you are missing event dates or events from your RaceHQ saved events screen follow these steps.
1. Go to Saved Events
2. Click on the "..."
3. Navigate to the prior season - Doc
4. Look in either Saved Events or Pack for the Date folder you are looking for
5. Select the TS_Race_Data.rhq file
6. Then it should load up into your Saved Events Screen and let you upload all or edit etc
10. Battery Recommendations
From the graph and table below you can see that the best bang for the buck in the battery world with what we had tested is the Eclipse battery from JayCar - here
These batteries as by the far the most cost-effective and have a very good run time when compared to other more expensive batteries.
The big note here is to absolutely not touch every ready general-purpose battery or every ready heavy-duty...as they are very low performers.
The firmware version used in the gates was v1.13 of using the power at a rate of 48 mA an hour. The new low-power version available at 1.41 uses only 12 mA per hour, which means you will get 4 times the life out of the same batteries.
Rechargeable batteries
As the majority of AA recharge batteries are 1.2 v compared to a normal battery of 1.5 v, The combination of 4 x AA recharge batteries means you have 4.8 v with a brand new set. The minimum voltage required by the gates is 4.39 v so you are already close to the margin before you have started. So then the cost and benefit are not looking good for using recharge batteries. This is why we do not recommend you invest in them and the charger etc.
Performance and cost table
Performance | Brand | Cost/battery | Hours Run time (old firmware v1.13) |
1st | energizer ultimate lithium | $4.68 | 68 |
2nd | energizer advanced | $2.31 | 47.2 |
3rd | energizer | $1.03 | 43.2 |
4th | duracel normal | $1.46 | 43.1 |
5th | duracel ultra | $2.31 | 38.8 |
6th | eclipse | $0.45 | 38.5 |
7th | arlec alkaline | $1.01 | 38.2 |
8th | everyready general purpose | $0.95 | 4.8 |
Graph of performance by brand
The red dotted line is the minimum power of 4.39 v that the gates require to operate.
11. Trolley Assembly
Here are a few steps to help you assemble your Timing Solutions trolley...
1. You will receive the parts to your trolley in a box. They will be packaged such as below:
2. Take the 2 poles and the screws in the plastic sleeve and pop the longer pole into the hole with no axel - let it stick out the other side about an inch - this is where the T-bar will connect and the shorter pole in the hole with the axel.
3. Take the Steering T-bar. Face the hinge end away from the trolley base.
Turn the trolley on the side with the underside of the trolley facing you and the poles away from you..
Place the T-bar to the trolley base and have the hole aligned to where the pole is and let the pole connect to the T-bar. Take one of the screws and drill it in - there will be a small notch in the hole for the screw to be placed. Do the same to the other hole with the pole.
4. Take your handle and unscrew the screws to reattach them to the trolley.
Place the trolley down again and open out the hinge so that the holes align with the holes on the handle.
And screw all four in!
5. Then attach the wheels using the four R clips provided
12. Setting up lane draws (Race Lane data)
You may want to create an event where all your lanes have predetermined athletes in lanes. This will be based on athletes that have been nominated for that age gender event.
To do this follow these steps:
1. Go to Events - Calendar
2. Click on View for that date
3. Click on the List view
4. The Race Lane set-up will be available for all track events. If it has already been set up it will have a tick next to it. Otherwise, click on the Race Set up button
5. You can choose the number of lanes you want for this age-gender event and what lane number you wish to start from (swimming can start from lane zero). You can also let the PB results from these athletes sort them into ranked races.
5. Then if you are happy with your order press to save. Otherwise, drag and drop athletes into a new order or into other races. You can even close an athlete out of that race if you need to.
6. If you need to edit the Race Lane set-up at any point, just click on the Edit button. Note the PB value of 9999.99 is for athletes who do not have a PB value. This is how the display needs to be.
13. Enabling Race Lane data in RaceHQ
Want to see some cool magic happen. This function gives you the ability to read the race lane data into the race screen, race by race.
1. Start up the application and go to settings and select Use ResultsHQ Setup List
2. Set up your gates and start device/s and then continue to the race screen. Note the "No Events" in the drop-down on the left. This means you have not yet synced to get this data. Press the Sync button to update your event list
3. Select the event you're looking for
4. Select the Heat type (you may have semis/finals also set up
5. Select the Age
6. Select the gender
7. Select the event number. Note the yellow X means there is no data saved against this race. A green tick means you have already run that race.
8. Once you have selected the race it will populate with your athletes as per the race set up in your ResultsHQ profile
14. How to use RaceHQ Saved Events across a network
Take a copy of RaceHQ and place it on a networked computer. On the computer that will be your networked / data entry computers, open RaceHQ. In the Setup screen select Saved Events.
Click on the Select (...) button next to the event drop-down, this will allow you to search for the RaceHQ data file from the Host RaceHQ data directory. These files will be located on the Timing computer, where another copy of RaceHQ will be running. You will only be able to do this if a Network has been established between the two computers.
Navigate to the file across the network (you are trying to find a file on the computer which is doing the timing with RaceHQ) as per the below instructions. Note: You must have SAVED at least one race for the day for a data file to have been created.
To do this:
- A windows explorer/file navigator will appear
- Click on the bottom left on the Network icon and find the networked computer (Note: You must set up a network from the timing computer, and allow access to this secondary computer before this step)
- Navigate to the path: <timing computer network>/Documents/ResultsHQ/<YourCentre>/<Season>/Pack folder
Within the folder, are date-stamped folders. Open up the relevant dated folder.
Within the data folder, you will find a 'data file' which will house all of the race data that has been saved from the primary computer. Select this file.
RaceHQ will now open with the race data displayed. You can add member names, print them, and upload them to ResultsHQ, as you need
Depending on whether you have used this computer with RaceHQ applications before, you may need to do a ResultsHQ refresh to get the latest data about your members and events. Click on the 'cog' at the top right of the screen to go to the Settings menu.
15. Beta download and install steps
1. Click here:
2. Click "Check for Beta version"
3. Click here:
4. Click "Yes"
5. Click here:
6. Click here:
7. Once you have completed the download and restart, update/remove any shortcuts to the old version/s of RaceHQ so that you don't accidentally open the old version instead of the new version you just downloaded.
Comments
1 comment
Hi Nick,
RaceHQ - V3.22.21
Are these some kind of version release notes to see what has been fixed in this release before upgrading?
Regards
Abe
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