STEP 1 - Competitor puts dibber in SI Unit
The competitor dibs the SI Unit and the normal feedback (audio and flash) are performed. The performance of the SI Unit is unaffected by being connected to the PixiePac. The SI Unit is a standard SI Master Station (i.e. one witn a RS232 serial lead) and has been programmed normally but with AutoSend TRUE.
STEP 2- PixiePAC Recieves punch from SI Unit and converts to Radio Format
The PixiePac takes the SI proprietary message format and encapsulates it in a AX.25 APRS Radio Frame and sends it to the transceiver. (The actual radio transceiver to be used will vary depending on licencing rules in the country of use. Note: The PixiePac can be operated with any radio as it is not frequency specific). The PixiePac uses a simple APRS message sequence to reliably transfer the data to the remote destination with retries as necessary to ensure guranteed delivery.
STEP 3- Remote PixiePAC Recieves Radio Transmission and converts back to SI Message Format
The remote PixiePac decodes the radio transmission and reformats it to SI Message Format; effectively the laptop results computer believes it is directly connected to the forest control.
STEP 4- Standard Software displays the punch
Either standard software such as SIManager or OESpeaker (not yet tested) can be used to display the results or bespoke software can be written to exploit the ability to track competitors in the forest. Particular key areas are safety (tracking of who has passed where), relay handover and commentary are well suited to radio controls.