RFID News

Joey a low cost alternative

The latest innovation from RFID Race Timing Systems is now available for purchase from our web shop. The Joey (named after a baby kangaroo) has many features that do not exist in the marketplace today and provides a true ‘plug and play’ experience for smaller timers. The device is perfect for clubs wanting a low cost RFID solution for timing yet have access to disposable transponders that are under half the cost of those from our competitors. As CEO Andrew Peterson said, “There are plenty of integrated readers in the market today (called portals) but none of them work as a timing system straight out of the box”. The Joey also has the latest version of bluetooth LE which allows a tablet or phone to interface with the hardware – an improvement over the harder to configure LAN connection. The Joey was designed to be as easy to use as possible whilst still having enough power to achieve good read rates and all for a cost of USD$3500.

 

RFID News

V4 Antenna Mats Receive an Upgrade

RFID Race Timing Systems has been producing the latest version (V4) antenna mats for two and half years and during this time we have been able to gather valuable feedback on the mats during every day use as well as some of the world’s most extreme events including the Polar Circle Marathon in Greenland to adventure races in the heat of Australia’s Great Sandy Desert. The change to a single Polyurethane material has been a great success with the V4 antenna mats being the most robust model produced. In addition to the hardy nature of the Polyurethane material the added weight ensures the mats remain in position during heavy traffic without having to tape down and there is reduced risk of the mats being lifted up by strong wind gusts.

Despite these advances RFID Race Timing Systems is continually looking for ways to improve its products and feedback from our customers suggests that the cable assemblies could be changed to enable better handling and storage of the mats as well as prevent damage to the cable. Following months of development and testing RFID Timing Systems has been able to add a weatherproof QMA connector to the antenna end of each cable. This new connector not only protects the cable from potential damage during handling and storage but it allows customers to replace cables cheaply and quickly without having to replace the whole mat or even the antenna insert.

The QMA connector simply works like an air compressor fitting using a single push and pull action to connect and disconnect the cable. The fitting also swivels which prevents any twisting of the cables during setup and use. For those customers that have existing V4 antenna mats this new system is compatible by replacing both the antenna insert and cable.

Should you have any questions or require further detail on this product please contact RFID Race Timing directly at info@rfidtiming.com or your local distributor.

RFID News

Generation 4 Timing Mats

RFID Race Timing has perfected the manufacture of new antenna mats that have been in use now since early 2015. The 4th Generation mats boast even better antenna sensitivity whilst being made of bomb-proof polyurethane. The development took close to 1 year experimenting on shapes and materials to come up with what we believe is the ultimate UHF timing mat. These new antenna mats are proving popular with our existing timers due to the professional look they exude at the finish line. Like in previous generations the new mats are easy to deploy in about half the time of our competitors. The weight and suppleness of the polurethane means that the mats stay in one place and the ribbed non-slip surface will give years of service. The new Gen 4 mats are now shipping standard with Ultra4 and Ultra8 systems.

Low profile design

Antennas bolt into the mat for easy replacement

RFID News

Eindhoven Marathon 2014

Tilahun Regassa won the 2014 De Lage Landen Marathon Eindhoven in 2:06:21 on 11 October. The womens event was won by Iwona Lewandowska in 2:28:33. Over 20,000 competed in the event held in the picturesque dutch town of Eindhoven. The event was timed by MySports who are the leaders in event timing and videography in Holland. They used over twenty Ultra8 systems to provide live race results and a comprensive video montage of each athlete in HD quality at many points along the course. Our new Ultra mats also debuted at the finish line this year.

Recent Events, RFID News

3rd European Timing Conference 17/18 September

RFID Race Timing Systems is pleased to announce that this years timing conference will be held at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Riga, Latvia on the 17 and 18 September. Come along and here the latest technology developments from RFID Race Timing Systems as well as other invited speakers discussing ways to improve your timing business. The event kicks off with welcome drinks and food on the Tuesday night followed by a full days conference on the Wednesday. This is a fully catered function so all attendees must register with us by email. Rooms should be booked by attendees directly with the hotel at the soonest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Radisson

Radisson Blue will again play host to the 2013 RFID Timing Conference on 17/18 September

 

 

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4th USA Timing Conference Announcement – 2 to 4 Feb 2014

We are pleased to announce that next year’s biennial RFID Race Timing Systems Conference will be held in San Antonio (Texas) at the Emily Morgan Hotel between Sunday Feb 2 and Tuesday Feb 4, 2014.

This is an opportunity for you to find out about the latest technology developments in sports timing as well as methods and strategies to get the most out of the equipment and software. The focus of the conference will be about ‘improving my timing business’ and is a must for all timers looking to grow and expand their business. The format follows that of previous conferences with a Sunday evening cocktail party followed by 1.5 days of structured seminars and dinners. This unique hotel venue is opposite the historic Alamo and famous River Walk so there is plenty to see and do after the conference.

More information on the agenda will be released closer to the conference date.

SanAntonio

The Emily Morgan Hotel is opposite the Alamo and River Walk

 

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HBF Run for a Reason – Sunday May 26

The 2013 HBF Run for a Reason is particularly special to RFID Race Timing Systems given it is on our doorstep here in beautiful Perth. This year we were contracted to time and report the results of over 29,500 entered runners and walkers using a 12m start line and 16m finish line in a novel finishing environment – a horse trotting track.

260513genrun2_18q363j-18q363pThe setup with Ultra and disposable transponders worked flawlessly and the weather was close to perfect at a time of year that can sometime see winter storms emerge from the nearby Indian Ocean. The race is primarily a charity event where runners can choose to donate to any number of charities and over 1.3 million dollars was raised. This event has grown from just over 10,000 runners in 2010 to one of the countries biggest fun runs. A great video of the event can be seen here.

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Copenhagen Marathon – Sunday May 19

11,000 hardy souls competed in the Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon. Despite the wet conditions good times were posted with the event eventually won by Rachid Kirsi of Morocco (2:17:22) and Anne-Mette Aagaard of Denmark (2:44:12).

The event was timed by CM2013Ultimate Timing (DK) using 23 Ultra8 units, all feeding data over the cellphone network to a live tracker that showed where the runners were on a map of the course.

RFID Race Timing Systems Outreach software was used as the backbone for these live transmissions of times. The web interface developed by Ultimate Timing was particularly impressive given the position on the map of the lead runners correlated exactly to where they could be seen on the live video feed. Race organisers Sparta were more than happy with the service as were the athletes and spectators that came out to play.

 

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Two Oceans Marathon

A total of 28,000 runners took to the streets over the easter weekend at the 44th Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town South Africa. A record 11,000 runners took part in the bruising 56km premier event which was won by a rank outsider David Gatebe in blustery conditions. The marathon is considered the most scenic in the world and caps off a busy month with the equally large Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour a few weeks prior. Both events are timed by RaceTec who uses our HDD Systems.

Two Oceans 2013_3Two Oceans 2013_2

Recent Events, RFID News, Uncategorized

Two Big Weekends in South Africa

The Cape Town Cycle Trust runs the largest timed cycle event in the world (Cape Argus Cycle Tour) at over 30,000 riders this year on March 10 . The 109km ride takes in some of incredible scenic coastline and is a annual favourite of any South African who owns a bike. The Cycle Trust owns and operates their own timing system consisting of 14 RFID Race Timing HDD Systems and low frequency transponders.

Argus2013_2

Argus2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

A week later (17th March) another major timing company in South Africa (Finish Time) used Ultra to time the Spar Womens Race in Cape Town. This event is part of a 6 race series that tours South Africa and this year Cape Town had 18,000 women run either the 10 or 5km event. This entire race course was a sea of purple. Craig Eldridge from Finish Time reported excellent read rates with the disposable tags.

SparWomensCT

A purple theme for the Spar Womens Race in 2013

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