Step 3 Set up the track and the decoder

Tell FINISH which decoder you have and how it is connected, place the finish line and the intermediate lines, then check that every passing arrives.

The goal

“Decoder: Connected” in the status bar, and every transponder that crosses a loop appears in Latest passings with the right line name.

Before you start

The decoder powered on, its loop connected and laid on the track (or on the floor for a test).
The cable between the decoder and the FINISH computer (network or USB, see the table). On a network: the decoder's IP address (decoder display or its manual).
One transponder for the test.
No decoder at hand? Start SIM on the same computer: it imitates each of these decoders.

What to do, one action at a time

The timing mode
SessionTiming mode (decoder)… (or, in the Configuration module, Timing mode…): Decoder (or Hybrid to keep the numeric keypad too), then your device.
The connection
In the same window: the IP address and port (network) or the COM port (USB), as in the table below. Indoors, without GPS, tick Set the decoder clock to this computer's clock on connection. Confirm.
Switch on
In the command bar, the Decoder switch to ON, then Passings to ON.
The status bar says “Decoder: Connected”; the Configuration module shows the decoder status.
The track dimensions
Configuration module › Track dimensions…: length (111.12 m on short track, 400 m on long track), turn radius or straight length. Confirm.
The finish line
Track and loops… › Add a finish line: name STA, identifier (what the decoder sends for this loop, for example “Channel=1 LoopID=1”), position in metres after the track's zero.
The drawing shows the STA line (black line).
Intermediate lines (optional)
One more loop on the track gives a split time. In the same window: Generate N loops, the position of the 1st one and the spacing, name “L”, numbered identifier (“Channel=1 LoopID=” from 2). The USB Timing Box has only one loop: no intermediate line. Confirm.
Blue marks on the drawing; “What a race on STA will see” lists them (L1, L2…).
Test the passings
Pass a transponder over each loop (by hand, at ankle height, without stopping).
The line indicator lights up on the module drawing; Latest passings shows the transponder number, the time and the line (STA, L1…).

Decoder	Connection	Settings in FINISH
RACE RESULT (Active, Passive)	Network	IP address, port 3601; the decoder in operation mode
Ubidium	Network	Empty address = automatic search
USB Timing Box	USB (serial port, 19200 baud)	The COM port; a single loop, the finish line
MyLaps (Prochip)	Network	IP address, port 5403
TAG Heuer / Chronelec (Protime)	USB (serial port) or UDP	The COM port; STA and BOX units

Photocells (FDS TBox, Microgate REI2), photo finish and manual timing: see Install and set up a computer.

What success looks like

“Decoder: Connected” in the status bar, all the time.
Each loop lights its indicator when a chip crosses it; Latest passings says STA for the finish line.
The test transponder is recognised: its usual code (step 1) or its athlete (step 2) is displayed.

Common problems and solutions

What you see	What to do
“Decoder: Disconnected” or nothing in the status	Same network? Try `ping` to the decoder's address. Right address and port (table)? Firewall: the installer opens it for FINISH; another firewall (antivirus) may block it. On USB: the right COM port (Windows Device Manager).
Connected, but no passings	Passings switch ON? RACE RESULT: the decoder must be in operation mode. Read the scenario A decoder with no passings (rejection log, clock).
Passings arrive but are rejected as “out of time”	The decoder clock is off: tick Set the decoder clock to this computer's clock on connection and reconnect.
A silent intermediate loop, or one seen as STA	Its identifier does not match what the decoder sends: read it in the detailed log when a chip crosses, and copy it into Track and loops….
A passing counted twice	Chip too slow over the loop, or two loops too close: lower the loop power (Equipment settings…).