PortaTree Pro-Ultimate (Gold Box) Firmware Version 2.07 - Manual (Page 5)

There is a small panel labeled “AS” above the 4 panels above which is for “Automatic
Storing” of results. Sometimes during a track testing session, it is best to turn this box off so
that tests are not stored. This panel can be activated and deactivated by a Left Button Mouse
Click. The Box above “AS” is labeled “Finish” and this represents the location of the Finish
Line. This can be changed automatically by going to the Category editor and entering a –1, 0,
or 1 in the Finish Line location field. A 0 means that the finish is at the 1320 foot location and a
1 means that the finish is at the 660 foot location (Mid Track), and a -1 means that the finish
location has been selected in the Pro Box Setup Screen (Look under Pro Box Setup) under the
switches page and set the “Trap End”.
The rest of the Race Screen has various buttons to Reset the Race in case one vehicle
does not finish or Reset the Tower Ready if the race has not started yet (This would allow you
to change incorrect data and send a Tower Ready again). If Breakout is on the Breakout
Panels illuminate Red if a vehicle goes below their Dial-In) and if Package is on, these same
panels say “Package” and the winners panel illuminates Green. The Package Number
appears in these boxes – Lowest Package is the Winner)! The Prestage and Stage Panels
illuminate when the vehicles break the starting line beams. The Clear Buttons clear
information off of the race screen or out of the que. The “Xwin” button exchanges the winner if
the Centerline is crossed or another Disqualification has occurred. There are “Disqualification”
Buttons at the top of the screen which turn red when depressed and automatically disqualify an
entry and change the winner of the race if necessary. These versions also have a MOV box
for seconds as well as feet (or Meters if running Kilometers per Hour). The Panic Button turns
the Panic Lights “ON” and “OFF” and the Setup Button brings you back to the setup screen to
change category, round, and type. The “Swap” button allows you to switch the entries from
lane to lane. Once you have sent a Tower Ready, some buttons are grayed out and not
allowed to be used !!
As the race progresses, the information appears on the screen as it is reported from
the Pro Box. The MPH (KPH) is calculated by the P.C. and appears instantly after the 660 foot
or 1320 foot is captured. If a driver “Red Lights” the background on that lane will changed to
Red. If the Panic Lights are illuminated, the outside of the screen turns Red. You also have
the ability to start the Tree (like a starter’s switch) on the screen above the Bump Que Button.
NOTE: High Resolution Timing (.00001 seconds) can be activated by the “Hi Res” button next
to the First Finish, Breakout, Package Panel. This will make the screen show RT, 660, and
1320 to .00001 seconds and the MPH (KPH) will have 100 times more resolution. Your
timeslips will also show .00001 second resolution.
RS-485 NETWORK
When you first start up the Drag Race Program, you would “Click On” Setup and then
“RS-485 Network” to set the addresses and activate the devices that you will be using at your
track. If you are not using scoreboards, then it does not matter whether AMT or the Daktronic
Scoreboards are selected. You should only activate the RS-485 Network Smart Switches that
are being used as we poll the smart switches and if you select one that is not working or that
you do not have connected, then the system may “HANG” for short periods of time. The smart
switches have 8 dip switches inside which are binary. Using a small screwdriver, carefully pry
the cover apart. To select address 1 turn dip switch 1 “ON” and all others OFF and to select
address 2 turn dip switch 2 “ON” all others OFF. To select address 3 both dip switches 1 and
2 would be “ON” and all others OFF and so on.
The settings for the AMT scoreboards can utilize address 1 and 2 even if you are using
Address 1 and 2 on the Smart Switches. The program uses a different format for the
addresses on the Smart Switches and the Scoreboards. The addresses that you set in the
RS-485 Network Screen must match the addresses that you set on the devices.