The name is long. The meter is pocket-sized, plain on the outside, and useful inside.
It measures radio-field strength, for two jobs:
During an event it shows whether the timing antennas are actually transmitting.
It also looks for interference that could wipe results.
Some will say they have timed many races without one.
The 2019 Lanzhou Marathon, a double gold-label race, is the reminder: suspected outside interference and a large block of lost times. The meter is new TMK equipment and is meant for larger events from here on.
How does the PowerMapper V6 do that?
Start with how a timing system works.
Most events use RFID, radio-frequency identification: a contactless read and write over a radio signal.
The chip carries the entry. Crossing a mat or an antenna records the time. Several points along the course become gun time, net time and splits in the timing software.
That signal is a radio wave, so a nearby wave on a close frequency can interfere.
The meter receives that band and moves a needle with the strength. At zero there is no signal. Point it, and you can see whether an antenna is on, whether it faces the right way, and where the dead zones are. Interference can be hunted before the start.
It is sensitive, includes a −6 dB attenuator, works with RFID timing gear, carries CE marking and matches known radio rules. It has no battery and transmits nothing, so it does not add interference. Hold it, set it down, or fix it in the timing area.
Lost times are hard to repair and they damage the event. The meter starts at the source: equipment faults and radio noise, before the results exist.
Specifications:
· Frequency range 850MHz to 950 MHz Europe, USA and Fare East frequencies.
· Tested with Dipole, linear, circular patch and cross polarized antennas.
· Tested for use to EN302 208, 866 MHz EU standard.
· Tested for use with 915MHz US FCC approved RFID readers.
· Tested for use at 922.5MHz China.
· The Battery life is Infinite. (It runs on harvested RF power)
· CE marked and conforms to all known radio standards.
· The TMK Power-Mapper contains no banned substances, RoHs compliant.
· The TMK Power-Mapper does not transmit or radiate any RF signals.
· Height 109mm, Width 70mm, Depth 41mm.
· The antenna is hand tuned to 908MHz center frequency.