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Connect an FDS T-Box

The four ways a T-Box reaches the desk: straight into the computer by USB in Chrome, through the timing box, over the box's own Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.

TimerUpdated 27 October 2026Open in the app ↗
On this page
  1. What it's for
  2. Before you start
  3. Steps
  4. What success looks like
  5. If something goes wrong
  6. Related

What it's for

An FDS T-Box is the timing device Race Bureau reads today. It records every press in its own memory and sends each one to the desk over whichever link you choose. One T-Box is the usual start; a second or third joins the same way, and each one can carry a different job (start, finish, an intermediate, a backup).

The four connections, chosen per device under Connection:

  • Direct to this computer — the T-Box's USB cable into this computer. Needs Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on a computer; the browser asks for the port once and reconnects by itself after that.
  • Internet (through the timing box) — the T-Box plugs into the Race Bureau timing box, which sends to Race Bureau over the internet. Works from any browser, an iPad included.
  • Timing box (offline, its own Wi-Fi) — the same box with no internet: the desk joins the box's own Wi-Fi. Box Wi-Fi name & password shows what to join.
  • Bluetooth — the T-Box over Bluetooth, from Chrome or Edge on a computer or Android. With a cable also connected, Bluetooth stands by as Standby and fills only what the cable misses; alone, it is Main.

Before you start

  • The T-Box switched on. On power-up it looks for GPS and syncs its own clock.
  • For USB or Bluetooth: Chrome or Edge on a computer. An iPad or iPhone has neither; use the timing box there.

Steps

  1. Open Timing Desk › Connect device. The Timing devices screen opens on Timing device 1's row; for another device, press Connect another timing device.
    Screenshottiming/connect-fds-t-box-01.png
    Make, Connection, then Connect
  2. Choose Make › FDS.
  3. Choose the Connection.
  4. Press Connect:
    • Direct: Plug the timing unit into this computer by USB, then press Connect and pick it. Pick the port in the browser's list.
    • Bluetooth: Switch the timing unit on and keep it close, then press Connect and pick it in the Bluetooth list. A T-Box this computer has used is offered first.
    • Internet or Timing box: the units plugged into the box are listed; press the one to use.
  5. The status line now reads … is connected with the device's own name and serial, and the device's own box (General Settings, Synchro, WIRC/WINP, Times List) opens under the row. Press Test timing device and press a button on the box: the press appears in the test window.
  6. Press Sync all on the card to set every connected device's clock (This Device, GPS or Manual).
  7. On the desk, open the window's setup (right-click, or press and hold, its tab) and tick the device under Timing devices so its impulses feed that window.

What success looks like

The card shows the T-Box with a green dot and CONNECTED; the device's own name and serial are on its row; a test press shows within a second; and the first impulse on the desk carries the box's time of day.

If something goes wrong

  • The dot is orange: the box is plugged in by USB but not turned on.
  • The port list is empty: the cable is not in, or this is Safari. Use Chrome or Edge.
  • Bluetooth finds nothing: keep the box close and switched on; a new box needs Chrome's own Bluetooth list, a known one is offered by Race Bureau.
  • The box answers on the timing box but the desk is quiet: check the light is green for the race and run, and that the device is ticked in the window's setup.
  • The T-Box keeps every press whatever happens to the link; see Offline for the gap fill.
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Connect an FDS T-Box · Race Bureau Help