THE PRECISION TIME SYSTEM AND HOW IT WORKS:
The Precision Time System was developed to solve a major problem in sports such as basketball; ACCURATE GAME CLOCK OPERATION. With the game clock being measured in tenths of a second accurate clock operation has become critical to the modern game.
The human clock operator however has a reaction time to each clock stoppage averaging 0.5 to 0.7 seconds. That can add up to over one minute of lost time in EACH GAME! Not to mention that at the end of close contests, when in the last minute tenths of a second are displayed, these “clock slippages” become a point of contention especially for the team that is losing, often leading to game interruptions to adjust the clock.
Precision Time eliminates this by using the latest technology to stop the clock INSTANTLY when the referee blows the whistle. By using radio technology to communicate between the referee and the scorer’s table the clock is stopped at the speed of light. The Precision Time System further enhances game clock operation by giving the on court referees the capability to restart the clock through their PTS belt pack. The full capability of Precision Time reduces the amount of clock reviews, improving game flow and allowing all participants to FOCUS ON THE GAME!!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Precision Time System contains three components:
THE PRECISION TIME SYSTEM BASE STATION
The Precision Time Base Station is the brains of the system. Designed to interface with virtually all scoreboard makes worldwide, the base station receives the signals from the REFEREE BELT PACKS and stops or starts the game clock instantly. The Base Station also makes available important information such as the battery/signal strength of each Referee Pack as well as the Game clock data.
The base station also contains clock start and stop buttons for the game clock operator, who still fills an essential role in the timekeeping process.
THE PRECISION TIME SYSTEM REFEREE BELT PACK
These lightweight battery powered radio packs are worn by each referee and contains a omni-directional microphone that detects the referee’s whistle. The microphone is attached in close proximity to the referee’s whistle using a PTS lanyard with a microphone clip. When a whistle is sounded a radio signal is sent instantly to the base station stopping the clock. Each belt pack also contains a clock start button affording the referee the capability to start the clock properly. This capability has over time been deemed essential to overall proper clock operation.
THE PRECISION TIME SYSTEM POWER PACK
The High Performance PTS 500 Lithium 3.2 Volt Battery was specially designed to give longer service life in our belt packs than ordinary cells. When purchased in bulk, we can save the venue or team a significant amount of money.
FAQ:
DOES PRECISION TIME REPLACE MY TIMEKEEPER?
No the timekeeper is still an integral part of the table crew-we ask that the timekeeper, now through the Precision Time Base station, still start and stop the clock as though PTS were not in place. This ensures that if an official forgets to start the clock or blows a weak whistle we are still operating the clock and avoiding lengthy delays to review and correct the time.
HOW DOES PTS CONNECT TO MY SCOREBOARD?
Most scoreboard controllers have or can support an external hand switch to start/stop the clock and operate the horn. The Precision Time base station simply replaces the hand switch and plugs into this port. When ordering we confirm your scoreboard make so we can ship the correct interface cables for a “plug and play” install. For some older controllers that do not contain this port, Precision Time can physically add that connection for a fee to facilitate the PTS interface. For select scoreboard makes (Daktronics, OES, Tissot) Precision Time, through a second data connection, can import the clock data from the controller to generate the game file using the actual clock values. Not having this capability in no way will diminish the primary purpose of accurately starting and stopping the clock. Our help center contains videos on how to setup PTS with your scoreboard.
WHAT WHISTLE IS REQUIRED TO WORK WITH PRECISION TIME?
Our original systems were manufactured to work with only the FOX40 Classic and Mini whistles. These whistles are still recommended for use with our current models. However with the current use of digital sampling technology for whistle detection, any whistle, can be used. For our Generation 2 systems that are still in service, the FOX 40 whistle is still the only whistle that should be used.
DO I NEED A SPECIAL LANYARD?
Officials using Precision Time need to purchase a PTS Lanyard that include the microphone clip for the belt pack microphone. Your system will come with a couple of lanyards for you to test the system and for emergencies but your officials should have in their kit a PTS lanyard, or you should notify your referee assigner that you have PTS so he/she can inform their staff to acquire the proper lanyard. The lanyards are available for purchase through many of the sports officials equipment/apparel suppliers.
CAN I CLIP THE MICROPHONE TO THE REFEREE’S SHIRT COLLAR?
This is not recommended, as the microphones are set for a sensitivity level to be worn in the PTS lanyard. By clipping the single microphone to the collar, the microphone is now further away from the whistle and especially if the referee’s head is turned away from the microphone, it may not detect the blown whistle. Our professional league customers use custom made belt packs with dual microphones to accommodate their officials that do not use a lanyard. These packs use different sensitivity levels to adjust for the different parameters.
WHAT IS YOUR RETURN POLICY?
Return any of our products--no questions asked--within 30 days of purchase. We even pay return shipping.
DO YOU SHIP OVERSEAS OR TO P.O. BOXES?
Yes, we’ll ship your package anywhere that can accept deliveries.
DO YOU HAVE CUSTOMER SERVICE?
Of course! Our friendly and knowledgeable customer services reps are available to answer your questions.