Hi,


I send you this, because you have shown interest in my opto-electronic
C/L speed timing system.
Or just because you are interested in speed or Control Line in general.

The "TRANSITRACE" system, as you may know, was presented on my web site
early last summer:

http://www.plasma.kth.se/~olsson/f2atimer.html

Later in the summer the system was tested at last year's World
Championships in Landres, France. 

I should have compiled the findings from that event a long time ago,
really, and my apologies to those who have been waiting.

Now, at last, my report is ready. It comes in three parts, which can be
downloaded from my web site.

First, the report itself:

http://www.plasma.kth.se/~olsson/timerreport.pdf

Then the table with the comparison between manual and electronic results
from the W/Ch:

http://www.plasma.kth.se/~olsson/wch00f2aeval.pdf

These two files are in PDF format and require that you have the Adobe
Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

The third file is the W/Ch Flight Record Log that the system produced.
I have inserted the names of the competitors and a few comments.
This file is in plain text format:

http://www.plasma.kth.se/~olsson/wch00f2alog.txt

Here there are lap by lap records of the flights when the system was in
use, timed flights as well as attempts. 46 timed flights out of the
contest total of 102 were used for tests, and 22 attempts. The report has
a description with examples.


I hope you treat this information wisely. In some cases there are
differences to the official results that would affect the placing. Do
respect the official results, as the timekeepers did a very good job, and
their only shortcoming is that they're human! :-)


-o-


I indicated in Landres that I would have prototype systems for delivery
early this year, but this schedule has slipped. I hope that a pilot run
of a small number of units will be finished in two months from now, so
they can be used this flying season.

Sorry also for this delay, I'm not in for a speed prize here. But, after
all, my development started, honest-to-god, 19th April last year!


I still cannot give you a firm price. I gave US$100 as a rough price
indication, but I am afraid an increase seems likely. I prefer to offer
high quality rather than committing myself to this early price.

What I now offer consists of the sensor unit with a 7-metre connection
cable to a PC, plus software, with free updates for a reasonable period,
and support as far as my personal limit reaches. The sensor will be in
kit form, with the electronics fully assembled and tested, but with the
mechanical assembly remaining. I leave some of the fun to you! The
software will have versions for F2A and most US national classes, as well
as F2C practice.

I now declare a maximum cost of US$150 for this, including worldwide
shipping. Hopefully it can be lower than that, but my cost will depend on
how many units I can make in this run. The extension cable needed for
contest use will cost another US$50 including shipping. (It weighs 2.5
kilograms, or 5 lbs.) You need a cable winder for the extension cable,
but this you can find locally.

The PC you have to provide yourself. You should equip it with an external
battery so that it can run for a day, rather than the two something hours
you get from the internal battery.

Another thing you have to provide yourself, is a "dolly fender". This can
be made by two pieces of 12 mm (1/2") plywood, 750 x 360 mm (2.5 x 1.2
ft) and 360 x 360 mm (1.2 x 1.2 ft), joined at right angle. (If you use a
hinge here you get a foldable unit.) This is put as a roof over the
sensor, providing protection both for rain and dollies. Start
constructing one right away!


NOTE!!   
*************************************************************************
You have to send me a reply NOW if you are interested in buying a system
of this pilot run. I ask also those of you who gave me a more or less
firm order for a system last year to CONFIRM this now. Also tell me in
case you want the extension cable too.
************************************************************************

Please state if you make a firm order for a system, and your conditions,
if any. (Like price less than, delivery before, and so on.)

If you reply, I shall keep you posted on what is going on, and the final
cost. My web site will will also have the latest information.

If you are just interested, but cannot make a commitment, please tell me
so. I shall keep you informed, but you have to be prepared to wait for
delivery until the next production run.

My conditions for delivery is the usual in the C/L cottage industry,
payment in advance, after I notify you that your system is ready for
delivery. Final cost will be given, and payable, in Swedish kronor.


If you know someone who may be interested, but hasn't got e-mail, please
spread this information. People can also reply by mail or telephone, see
below.

I need your replies in two weeks from now.


Best regards, and may your speeds be, not just high, but also well known
and documented!


Goran


Taby, 23rd March, 2001

Goran Olsson
Gyllenstiernas vag 20
S-183 56 TABY
SWEDEN

+46-8-158320