This form has been coded using technologies available to web browsers all the way back to mid 2015. Chrome, Firefox, Edge (Chrome-based), Opera, and Safari are supported. IE 11 may still be compatible but IE-specific features are not.
Mobile device-based web browsers are also supported! This includes Chrome, Samsung Internet, Opera Mobile, and Android Firefox. You can rotate your device to change the view and the form will adjust its layout to accommodate the new screen dimensions (try it now!)
A note about mobile and tablet browsers: The on-screen keyboard will definitely get in your way. Use a compatible external keyboard if you have one.
The form is broken up into three sections:
Note: This form provides limited keyboard-only support.
If you have questions or feedback about keyboard-only mode support, talk with Jon K7RMZ or visit the GitHub Project.
Note: Be certain to select the Aid Station you are reporting for. It is **critically important to get correct**.
The "Send To" data is used to address the Winlink Message to the intended recipient. Multiple recipients (including external email addresses) should be separated by semicolons ;. Address space is very limited so only add the absolute minimum of addresses.
Enter the Bib Number and time that a Runner arrived (IN), exited (OUT), or bowed-out of the event (DROP):
The following items are updated after clicking IN, OUT, or DROP buttons:
Note: Bib Number and Yesterday fields will be cleared after an action button is pressed.
Bib Number and Bib Time fields will auto-populate if you forget to add data to them. Mis-keying certain characters will cause the form to attempt to correct the mistake (but it is not perfect).
The Time field will default to "0000" when no numbers are entered. Watch for this while you are entering data and fix it before clicking IN, OUT, or DROP.
If you entered a Bib Number, then change the Max Bib Characters field value, but have not clicked IN, OUT, or DROP buttons, the Bib Number entry will be cleared. This is expected behavior.
Note: Be certain to enter Time in a 24-hour format like "0006" or "00:06" (for 6 minutes after midnight), and "2350" or "23:50" (for 11:50pm). Avoid using "am" and "pm". Adding these or other characters will just take up space and will be removed before it is copied into the Entries Field below. Other characters besides numbers and ":" will result in the form changing your entry in an attempt to format it correctly.
Pay attention while entering data. Always verify data while entering it, and use the Save Race Data button to save your place.
The Entries Field uses comma-separated-values. The Bib Record data fields are (from left to right): Bib Number, Bib Action, Action Time, Day Of Month, Aid Station (abbreviated). If you must edit an entry, it is probably a better choice to remove the entire line than to edit the data directly. Use arrow and delete keys to remove the line with the incorrect data, then press TAB to save changes, then re-enter the correct data using Bib Number, Time and Action Buttons.
In any case, be certain that all 5 fields exist for each entry (row) and are separated by a single comma ,.
This is a trail-running event, not a timed competition. Use your best judgement when entering Bib Times, for the safety of registered participants, and for the well-being of their crew (knowing where their runner is).
Only one Action per Bib Record entry is allowed.
Example: Bib 123 entered at about 12:34 today you would enter the data like this:
When a runner actually arrived yesterday, click the "Yesterday" checkbox before clicking the appropriate Action button.
If you don't know the exact time the runner entered the Aid Station:
If you don't find an answer following the above steps, chances are you have the best situational knowledge to determine what time makes the most sense. Make a fair estimate based on your experience and enter that time. Add a concise note in the Comment field about that bib number if extra information will be helpful.
These shortcut keys only activate the IN, OUT, and DROP buttons when a field or element in the Bib Data Entry section is focused. Outside of that area the keys will not trigger adding bib data entry.
This accurately counts the number of bib entries currently stored in the form. This number will update every time you click IN, OUT, or DROP, and any time you make a direct edit to the comma-separated values.
For any bib entries that need additional explanation (especially DROP) use the "Comments" area to free-form a short and to the point statement.
If the message is too long or complex for the Comment field, contact Bigfoot Base via a separate Winlink Message, voice radio, or other means to relay the necessary information to them.
One last note about runners that drop from the event: It is usually a good idea to radio-in to Bigfoot Base by voice with the "DROP" in addition to sending via the list. Have the bib number, time, and the reason (if known) ready before you call.
Use the Save Data Race Data button to store the bib entries into a plain text file.
If you launched this form using Winlink Express, use the Submit button to have Winlink Express automatically create a new, well formatted message. On-screen information will guide you through the submission process.
The information that is sent in the new Message via WinLink can be copied and pasted directly into an excel spreadsheet or other database software. This is what Bigfoot Base does when they receive the message. If it is not formatted exactly as this Form does it, they might call you on the radio and ask for you to resubmit or clarify information. This is not a good use of your time, so refrain from editing the "posted" Winlink Message after submitting this Form.
Use the Clear Entries button to remove Comment text and all bib record entries. This will not clear the header information, such as Event Name, Aid Station, or Message Number. It will also not clear the Subject Line. See the above sub-section "Saving and Loading Race Data" for more information.
Stay on top of your runner records lists. Even if you cannot send data via Winlink for some reason, keep entering data into this Form and click Save Race data to store a list on your device. Start a new Form and repeat this process until you can send the data via Winlink using the Load Race data or by other means. You will have an easier time keeping track of runners this way by viewing files stored on your device.
The sooner you get valid data to Bigfoot Base, the better the hams and the event organizers understand the status of all runners and Aid Stations. Since runners come and go from Aid Stations both day and night, you will end up with a list of runners that arrived, exited, or dropped, sometime in the past. If you get behind by more than a day or so, you will find the record-keeping duty much more challenging than it needs to be.
Load this Form on a tablet or laptop computer and track runners until you have several dozen. Use the Save Race data button to save the data to a thumbdrive to share the data with the Winlink Operator, who can then open a new message form and click Load Race data to load the collected data and send it. This will save you time and effort, and might even free-up your Winlink Operator to perform other duties while you collect bib records on your phone or tablet, instead of pen and paper.
If you have a computer network savvy ham on your team, try networking your devices within a small WiFi, so you can just transfer the saved race data directly to the Winlink computer at any time.
There are many possible ways to slice this cake. Use your imagination and allow this form to help you be efficient in tracking runners.
The original form was designed by Greg KG6SJT, a member of the Winlink Development Team
Custom redesign and ongoing development: Jon K7RMZ [ Nojronatron on GitHub]
Design and code assistance: Mark K7TUM [ Bytescream on GitHub ]
New features and development: Jason KI7TYU [ JHMartin on GitHub]