The Channel Changer Application is designed to help users easily modify the operating frequency of their Timing Solutions hardware. This tool is essential for minimizing signal interference, ensuring smooth operation even in environments with high Wi-Fi traffic. Below are the steps to connect, configure, and update the channels for your units.

Introduction

Some centers have been experiencing signal interference with TS hardware, likely due to local Wi-Fi networks. To address this, we have developed a channel change application that allows users to modify the default operating frequency, thereby minimizing interference.

Instructions

To begin, please send a request for the channel changer app to support@timingsolutions.com.au with the following details:

Name-

Centre Name-

Reason for Request (Why do you need the ability to change the channel?)-

Once we have received this request we will get back to you with a link to download the channel changer app.

Connecting

Upon launching the application, it will automatically attempt to connect to the last known wireless hub. If no connection is found, please connect manually as you would normally:

Connecting to the Hub

• Press the “Connect” Button on the application
• Select the Appropriate COM Port (associated with the Timing Solutions Hub)
• Press the “Connect” button in the connection window
• Confirmation of Connection:                                                                                                            Once the hub is successfully connected, the indicator next to the button will turn green, and the button label will change to “Disconnect.” Additionally, the hub’s version and its current operating channel will be displayed.

Changing Channels

1. Activate the Units:                                                                                                                              After connecting to a hub, power on the units that you wish to include in the channel change process.
2. View the List of Units:                                                                                                                        The activated units will appear in a list within the application, as shown in the example image below:

Unit Information Display

Each unit listed in the application provides the following details:

• Type: The specific model or type of the unit.
• Serial Number: The unique serial number for identification.
• ID: Typically a combination of the unit type and serial number.
• Last Known Channel: The channel the unit was last detected on.
• Battery Level: The current battery status, which updates every couple of minutes.
• Reception: The signal strength, updated each time a new message is received.

By default, all units are selected for the channel change process, indicated by a green tick next to each unit. You can exclude a unit from the process by toggling the button on the right side of its cell. Excluded units will be greyed out, and a red cross will appear instead of the green tick.

Starting the Channel Change Process

Once all the desired units are connected and selected:

• Press the Start Button: This initiates the channel change process.
• Channel Scanning: The application will scan all available channels to identify the least noisy option.
• Channel Update: The selected channel will be applied to all connected units and the hub, ensuring they all operate on the new frequency.

Completion and Error Reporting

Once the channel changing process is complete, the application will display a pop-up notification:

• Error Notification:                                                                                                                                     If any errors were encountered during the process, the pop-up will detail the issues that occurred.

• Success Notification:                                                                                                                              If the process was successful without any issues, the pop-up will simply confirm success

Channel Mismatch Indicator

If the hub’s channel differs from any connected unit’s channel, the unit’s cell will be outlined in red instead of the normal blue.

Manually Changing the Hub’s Channel:

The hub’s channel can be manually adjusted to any of the available channels (12-23).

To do this, press the “Change” button next to the hub’s current channel label.

A pop-up window with a slider will appear, allowing you to select the desired channel.

Pressing the “Change Hub” button will change just the hub’s channel. Pressing the “Change All Units” will start the channel change process (as outlined above) and will change all units on the unit list on the hub’s current channel to the new selected channel, as well as the hub itself.

Additional Tools for Organization and Troubleshooting

Several buttons are available on the screen to assist with organizing and troubleshooting:

• Check for Units:
  This function broadcasts a message on the hub’s current channel. Any units that are powered on, in range, and on that channel will respond and be added to the unit list.
• Shutdown Units:
  This function broadcasts a message to shut down any units operating on the hub’s current channel.
• Clear Units:
  This button clears the current list of units displayed in the application.
• Help (?) Button:
  Pressing this button will display a pop-up with basic operating instructions. The pop-up includes a “Recover” button.

Recovery Process

• Initiating Recovery:                                                                                                                                The "Recover" button triggers a process that changes the hub’s channel sequentially through all available channels (12-23). For each channel, the hub will broadcast a message to detect any units on that frequency.
• Resetting Units:                                                                                                                                     If any units are found during this process, they will automatically be changed to the default channel (23).

Completion Notification:
Once the recovery process is finished, a pop-up will appear with the results.

Using RaceHQ

Once the channel change process is completed, do ensure you're only using RaceHQ version V3.23.97 (Current BETA) or higher as past versions of RaceHQ are not compatible and tend to reverse the channel change process. See link here: RaceHQ - Latest Timing Software Download and Setup videos – Timing Solutions Support Forum.