Dear all;
There appears to be many rumors going around from the uninformed that SANPO (South Africa National Pigeon Organisation) are in the process of designing its own ETS Clocking system, with its own Software and own ETS rings.
Please note that nothing is more removed from the truth than these rumours.
SANPO has engaged dialogue with ETS OEMs about its proposed change in policy as well as requesting feedback.
None of SANPO Council members nor the SANPO clock committee members are involved with any facet pertaining to the Development, Retail, Sale, of any ETS Equipment other than those serving on the committee in other portfolios who are agents for already approved FCI ETS systems – even then these members are in no way involved in the ETS Clock Committee. SANPO has a strict policy that no Member serving on a committee will have vested interests associated with the particular Committee.
SANPO strictly subscribes to the fact that all ETS available in South Africa need to be first approved by FCI even before being tested by SANPO regarding South African Racing conditions and requirements.
It should be noted that SANPO has also been in dialogue with aspirant manufacturers of ETS systems to ascertain progress on their developments, however in no way whatsoever is SANPO, the writer or its Council members involved in such activity.
SANPO remains interested in all new developments worldwide on these timing devices and would welcome any information updates from ETS OEMs.
I trust that should you ever hear of such rumors, this be regarded as unsubstantiated, false and to be rejected as rumour mongering.
Trust SANPOs positions is clear on this matter.
Should you have any questions pertaining to this please do not hesitate to contact the sender.
Yours in sport
Shane Gerber
SANPO Clock Committee Chairman
Thanks a million Shane for your quick reply and explanation around the issue of E-rings and systems. Be assured that it will put many minds at ease as well as demonstrate that our National Governing Body is willing and capable to assist in whichever way it can.
Of possible interest is that SANPO are in the process of testing all ETS Software at present. It is a long tedious process that has to be done and is long overdue. Already one ETS Software has been found to be non-compliant and such software approval has been rescinded and the agent/manufacturer advised to address the issue before the commencement of the 2016 season if possible.
It is important to note that no software, once the basketing/entry list has been printed, should allow a pigeon to be deleted and/or added to a race once in Race mode eg. After Basketing/Entry List printed. Once Basketing/Entry list printed, the clock to be locked to prevent any tampering with the Race Data from the time the list is printed until such time that the race is released after arrival list printed at the club.
Should any approved software not comply with the above other than the software already identified this to be reported to SANPO ASAP.
Fully agree with previous commentator about the escalating costs of ETS rings forcing the majority of fancy to revert back to manual systems. Cannot understand that a while back at one of our functions mention was made of a cheaper system that was going to be tested in the Free State somewhere and that we will receive feedback from SANPO of the progress made. According to Shane Gerber(SANPO clock committee chairman) it weren’t even on the cards, what now.
In response to undermentioned please allow me to respond: SANPO have advised all SANPO Approved ETS Manufacturers that the revised SANPO policy re ETS systems requires them to have all SANPO approved ETS clocks opened to read all SANPO approved E-Rings. Due to this entailing software development that will render the 2016 Racing season to close to implement – the 2017 season is when this would commence allowing manufacturers time to have their software compliant. SANPO are not saying that ETS Manufacturers cannot continue to have the closed software functional, however this will only be approved if the manufacturers offer fanciers the “open” system as well. The Fancier would then make their choice as to which system they would prefer using. SANPO will also not be getting involved in any price fixing of rings and each OEM will determine the price they wish to sell their merchandise. What SANPO hopes to achieve here is that should system be “Open” the competition amongst Approved E-Ring suppliers will be of such a nature that the best prices could be offered to Fanciers through natural healthy competition. Of course SANPO has discussed other ETS systems other than those approved, some of which are waiting FC approval in order to find out how far they have progressed in obtaining such FCI approval, and on this we note that three clocks other than the familiar brands have been FCI approved and will be launched in South Africa during the course of the year. Rings for these ETS systems will rang from ZAR15 through to ZAR20 per ring from the information received. One of the FCI approved ETS are Taiwan Manufactured system, another a locally manufactured system. Please note that these system still have to be tested and approved by SANPO. Re the Free State trials, SANPO cannot conduct any trials on an ETS system if the ETS is not approved by FCI as they would simply be wasting time should the ETS be non FCI Compliant. There was reports of a free or very low cost systems for fanciers whereby rings were “dirt cheap” however it should be noted that the systems viewed worked on cellphone technology with Sim Card Application and costs associated with such SIM cards. Therefore despite the marketing campaign that the system is either free or rings very cheap, one needs to understand the hidden costs associated with some of these at present non-compliant systems. So whilst it might appear that SANPO has simply overlooked these systems – it is quite the contrary, and have not and will not progress these system if not first FCI approved.
As for the price of E-Rings. If one has a look at the some of the E-Ring prices, the E-Rings prices in Euro terms has remained the same and in some instances even softened a little. The Macro effect of our weak currency is what is driving the prices upward and one can imagine just this year alone our currency has lost 30% of its value – that means a ring costing ZAR24 last year now will cost the equivalent of ZAR32 just on the back of the poor Rand.
As stated SANPO will not get involved in the supply of E-Rings at present as SANPO also acknowledges the role that the ETS Agents play in South Africa as providing back-up support. This is sometimes overlooked and if SANPO were to possibly embark on such an initiative it could have a broader impact impact on service levels from these agents to the Fancy in general.
The whole exercise is trying to manage a happy balance between the parties concerned and manage the situation that neither party is being exploited. Trust this assists.
The issue surrounding the cost of electronic rings remains a huge challenge within our sport. Only the minority of members are in the fortunate position where the cost of these rings is not a major concern. It is a fact that the weakening rand is not helping at all but it also remains a fact that the bulk of pigeon fanciers will require electronic rings. There are already talks among fanciers about having to revert back to the manual system as the only alternative. Surely we do not want go backward in terms of keeping up with technology. We should strive toward finding ways where ALL pigeon fanciers can enjoy the comfort and advantage of having to race with electronic clocks. All that said, the question is What is SANPO doing to assist its members in this regard?? Sharing some ideas that are currently being work shopped would be great!
All good and well but what is SANPO doing with regards to the price of rings, will we be getting cheaper rings and will the club systems be “opened” so that we can use rings from different manufactures on different clocks?