When being used as an Active system a Loop Cable is used to activate the Transponders which generate the times.

This loop cable must be secured to the ground, covering the full width of your timing point, it is important to ensure that the loop cable is setup correctly to ensure reliable and accurate recording of times. The Loop Cable is connected to the Active Loop Port on the back of the system , NOT the Trigger port under the flap. You additionally need to raise the black 2.4 GHz antenna so this is pointing vertically up, this is used to receive data from the transponders. 

Loop Cable Setup

The loop cable should form a rectangle with a width of 60cm, the exact line on which you wish to record a time should be positioned across the middle of the length of the loop.

Normally the loop cable will be fixed to the ground using duct tape along the length of the loop, or covered with a mat to secure it in place. Loops can be buried in the ground, particularly for motorsports or on soft surfaces, when doing so it is common practice to protect the loop using some sort of pipe. 

Where possible use a loop of exactly the required length, never coil any excess loop cable since this can cause interference resulting in transponders not being activated. Loop cables cannot be installed on metal surfaces, this will completely inhibit the loop signal meaning no passings will be generated. 

Loop Settings

Depending on where transponders are being worn or mounted, and the setup of your loop, it may be necessary to check the system settings to adjust the detection height of the loop. This is done by adjusting the Loop Power setting. 

To open the settings for the Active Loop, press the Navigation Button second from the top, this opens a menu for Detection Settings, which now has 3 options, the top one is for Active, so press the top Navigation Button to open this menu. 

To change the Power value press the Navigation Button next to this menu item, you can now adjust the Power in increments of 10, from 0 to 100, by using the up and down Directional Buttons, then pressing the OK button to select a value.

A higher Loop Power will result in a higher maximum detection height, a value of zero will mean the Loop is switched off.

As a general rule you should try to ensure that the system can detect transponders at a height 50% higher than the expected maximum height of a transponder. To test the maximum detection height, walk away from the loop to a point further away than the maximum height, hold the transponder at the height you wish to test and walk across the loop at a moderate pace.

If the system generates a passing, which will be indicated by both a beep and red LED flash then the transponder was detected, if no passing was generated you may need to first move further away from the system or adjust the Loop Power. 

Normally it is only necessary to change the Channel and Loop ID values if you are working with multiple systems or Loop Boxes for additional timing points. The use of Channel and Loop ID is explained in the Active Settings guide.