Using the Radio (Wireless Network) Functions
All XL3 and XL4 units are more than performance monitors for in the boat. They are also powerful frequency-
hopping transmitters and receivers. In basic terms, this means the performance measurements can be
transmitted from the boat to the coach in real-time.
Use of the radio functions requires a network of at least two XL units: one set up as a transmitter (Boat), and
one set up as a receiver (Coach). Every XL3 and XL4 display unit can perform both of these functions - it is
simply a setting in the Radio Menu. All units intended to communicate with each other must be set up on a
secure network, which is also done in the Radio Menu. A network is defined by the Group Name and Private
ID settings. You can think of the Group Name as the name of your club or school, and the Private ID as the
password. Units without matching Group Name and Private ID will not communicate with one another. In
short, Coaches with different network settings will not be able to access your Boats' information and vice
versa.
Up to 9 Boats can be used on one network, and unlimited Coaches can view the Boats' data. If more than one
Boat is used on a network, each Boat must be assigned a different channel number between 1 and 9 to avoid
interference. It is a good idea to give each Boat unit a Unit Name to help with identify it, like “MIKE 1X”. Any
networked Coach within range of these Boat units will have access to their stroke-by-stroke measurements.
The SpeedCoach XL’s radio has a line-of-sight range of approximately 400 meters, or 1/4 mile. (Meaning that
from one antenna, you can see the other antenna without obstruction.) Additionally, the antenna should be
vertical for optimal performance.
Many regattas do not allow communication devices of any type in rowing shells during competition. Please
check with your regatta organizers to find out if the regatta allows communication devices before racing with
the XL radio activate.
The XL is factory programmed with the radio turned OFF.To turn on and configure the radio, see page 10.
Using the Radio - Rower
With the radio
enabled, you'll see:
Screen Windows:
A: Speed or Pace
B:
Workout Interval OR User Selected - time, average
speed/pace, distance, number of strokes
C: User Selected: time, average speed/pace,
distance, number of strokes
D: Stroke Rate
E:
Heart Rate (XL4 only)
F:
System Window - Battery Indicator,Channel,
Signal Strength and Unit Name
Active Buttons:
Start/Stop
Window B Select (Just Row only)
Window C Select
Main Menu Setting
When rowing with the radio activated, the display will appear nearly identical to rowing with the radio off.You
can use the Just Row or Workout modes exactly as previously described. The only difference is that Window
F will display the channel, unit name and signal strength and antenna symbol instead of the time of day. The
signal strength is indicated by a vertical bar next to the antenna symbol. The open antenna symbol (looks like
a chicken’s foot) indicates that the radio is on and set to Boat mode.If there are no Coach units in range, an “x”
will replace the bar.
A
B
C
D
E
F
5
Using the Radio - Coach
With the radio enabled and
the unit in Coach Mode, you'll see:
Screen Windows:
A: Speed or Pace
B: Workout Interval OR User Defined: time, average speed/pace,
distance, number of strokes
C: User Selected: time, average speed/pace, distance, number
of strokes
D: Stroke Rate
E: Heart Rate (while viewing XL4 data only)
F: System Window - Battery Indicator,Channel, Signal
Strength, Multiple Channel Indicator & Unit Name
Active Buttons:
Window B Select (Just Row only)
Window C Select
Main Menu - convenient for checking for boats in range
and refreshing the network in this menu.
Channel Up
Channel Down
The Coach unit does not have any control over the Boat units. You cannot start or stop a boat's timer, start a
workout or reset the unit. Also, no data will be stored by units set in Coach mode. However, because the Coach
unit is receiving all data from the Boat units, it can cycle between time, average speed/pace, distance and
number of strokes in windows B and C by pressing the
and
buttons. When a Boat unit is running a
workout, the Coach unit’s window B will display the current workout interval and window C can cycle between
time, average speed/pace, distance and number of strokes.
To view the data from different Boats in your network, press the
and
buttons. Each Boat’s channel
number and unit name will be displayed with their performance data, making it easy to identify which boat
you are monitoring. Additionally, at any time, pressing the
button twice will open a list of all boats in range
(in the same network).
When you have multiple Boats and/or Coaches in a network coming in and out of range, it is possible for Boats
to “disappear” from the Boats in Range. Simply refresh the network by pressing the
button to enter the
Main Menu and select “Refresh Network”. This is due to the complex nature of the network that is set up by
the SpeedCoach XL, and anytime the network is intermittent or inconsistent, “Refresh Network” is a simple
resolution.
If there are no boats in range, the Coach unit will continually look for Boat units. “Reconfiguring Radio” will
appear on the screen.
Mounting brackets are available from NK to secure the XL to a motorboat or bicycle.
6
