MyLaps/AMB issue
 

We have been fighting missing laps and low signal strength on our system. It will read 3-4 laps, then miss the next 3-4, the start counting again. Signal strength ranges from 50-75 and noise ranges from 30-40.

I have replaced the loop multiple times with new AMB wire, speaker wire...etc. I have also tried using resistors from radio shack. Also dug up and reburied the loop at multiple depths. Nothing helps.

Also, the loop is only active for roughly 6ft. We currently have an 8ft front stretch and the inside line does not get counted.

All measurements are within AMB specs for resistance.

Looking for help...don't know what else to do..

Have you tried a different coax cable?

That's the only thing we haven't tried. I have plenty of the proper coax, just not the black box with the red wires coming out .

Give it a try with just coax, it cant hurt anything.

We had a night where our system did that and ended up being corrupted software. We reloaded the RC Scoring Pro program and it was good as new.

It doesn't matter what software you use, with signals that low, you are going to have a hard time counting laps.

Mylaps suggests a 60 points difference minimum between signal and noise levels. You need to get those signal levels up in around the 100 mark, as that is normal.

If you are able to, take the decoder home and do a mock-up with a new loop and coax. If that doesn't work, try resetting the decoder to default values as I beleive there is a sensitivity setting in there also that could be set to high.

I've seen RCSP not count some laps (min lap time was set to high for some drivers), but the signals at the decoder were good. That one stumpped us for a couple hours :)

Hi Danny,

For coax cable, make sure it doesn't touch metal parts like fence, guard rail, and some like that.

And also make sure no speaker near the loop area. I have bad exprecience when my loop near speaker (we have racing and music stage side by side). My decoder cannot detect the passing when the music plays, but when the music stop, my decoder can detect the passing.

I'm sorry for my bad english :)

Thanks for thr suggestions! I will work on it tomorrow night and let you know what i find.

Are you using the original cable or other Coax? Other coax do come in 2 impedances, 50 and 75 ohm, be sure you have the right one. Also in the middle of the loop antenna a resistor can be needed.

The other thing to do, keep it away from all electrical cords. I was helping another track who had the same issues as you. I looked how all the wires were run, and they had the coax cable looped up and sitting on top of the cord for the power stripe to run the computer etc. Once I rearranged the wires, the system never missed a beep.

Experiencing the same thing locally, I found relocating the transponder closer to the bottom of the chassis did help the skipped laps but no good for clubbies. RCtransponder services sells the loop with resistor for $30 plus freight so thats what I was going to try

Our track had similar issues with missing laps on cars. Turns out the PA system was interfering with the timing system. Once the PA speaker/wires were moved away from the timing system cables, the problem went away.

Good luck!

Mark

coax / black box
 

Can I make my own black box or do we need it? I have made my own loops and the work great. have to tracks and it would be awesome to make another coax unit so i didnt have to move them.

Any help would be awesome.

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