Start Clock

Platform: 📱 Mobile only

See also: Registrations & Start Lists, Connection & Reader Setup, Running a Standard Race

Entering the mode

Tap an event in the event list view and select Start Clock. The screen shows a large clock and the names of participants being called to the prestart.

The mode requires that the event has registrations with assigned start times.

Clock display

The clock shows the accurate time in large text, readable from several meters away.

Tap the clock in the header bar to sync the time with the server — useful if you suspect the clock has drifted.

Below the clock, the names of participants being called to the prestart are displayed — participants whose start time matches the time shown on the clock.

Start beep sequence

Every minute, a countdown sequence plays:

  • :50 — Warning beep (10 seconds remaining)
  • :55–:59 — Short countdown beeps, one per second
  • :00 — Longer start beep (go signal)

The sequence repeats automatically every minute. The sound can be toggled off in settings.

Participant announcements

At each minute mark (:00), the app announces the prestart time and the names of participants whose start time matches the time shown on the clock. These are participants being called to the prestart area — not the ones starting right now.

For example, with prestart set to 4 minutes: at real time 10:01, the app announces "Ten-oh-five. Virtanen, Mäkinen" — calling them to the prestart 4 minutes before their actual start.

At the same moment, the start beep is the go signal for participants whose start time is 10:01 — they are already at the start line.

Chip reading for start confirmation

If a USB reader is connected, participants can read their chip to confirm their start registration. The system validates the registration:

  • Accepted — Start registered, success sound
  • Already registered — Announces "you are already registered"
  • Future start time — Announces "your start time is [time]"
  • Invalid start time — Announces "invalid start time"
  • Not found — Announces "registration details incomplete"

Prestart

The prestart setting determines how many minutes ahead of real time the clock display runs. This creates a dual role at each minute mark:

  • Names/announcements call participants whose start time matches the displayed time to the prestart area
  • Beeps are the go signal for participants whose start time matches the real time

For example, prestart 4 minutes, real time 10:00:

  • Clock shows 10:04
  • Start beep → participants with start time 10:00 GO
  • Announcement → participants with start time 10:04 are called to prestart

Typical prestart times: 3 min (training events), 4–5 min (competitions with chip check and clearing).

Start place filtering

When an event has multiple start places, you can filter in settings which participants are shown and announced. Each phone shows only participants from the selected start places.

Landscape mode

On a tablet in landscape orientation, the view splits: large clock display on the left, list of current minute's participants on the right.

Settings

  • Start beep — Countdown sequence on/off
  • Prestart — Minutes ahead of real time (0 = no prestart)
  • Start place — Filter displayed participants by start place

Scenario: Managing a multi-class start area

Regional orienteering event, 120 participants, 6 classes, 1-minute start interval. Phone on a stand at the prestart area, USB reader on the table.

Setup

  1. Open the event and select Start Clock
  2. Tap the clock to sync the time
  3. Settings: start beep on, prestart 4 minutes
  4. Connect USB reader, confirm green indicator

Running the starts (first starts at 10:00)

  1. 09:59:50 warning beep — those at the start line prepare
  2. 09:59:55–59 countdown
  3. 10:00:00 start beep → start time 10:00 GO. Simultaneously announcement: "Ten-oh-four. Virtanen, Korhonen" → called to prestart
  4. Virtanen and Korhonen come to prestart, read their chips for confirmation
  5. 10:04:00 start beep → Virtanen and Korhonen GO

Edge cases

  1. Participant reads chip too early → app announces their start time
  2. Unknown chip → "registration details incomplete"
  3. Chip read again after start → "you are already registered"

Tips

  • Mount the phone at eye level or higher to ensure visibility.
  • Keep volume high — beeps and announcements must be heard over crowd noise. A Bluetooth speaker helps at large events.
  • For multiple start places, use one phone per place with the start place filter.
  • Tablet landscape mode gives participants both the clock and names at a glance.
  • Prestart time of 4 min works well when you need time for chip check and clearing.