Clock Rules

1. Only clocks approved by the Union shall be used in Races for the purpose of timing in. The following clocks have been

accepted by the Union.

Electronic Timing Systems.

Benzing

Bricon

iPigeon

Mega

Tauris

Tipes UK

Unikon

Victory

Toulets (with square spindle from 1970).

Benzing (modified to prevent wrong setting).

Plasschaerts.

Jundes-Thextor.

Le Continental (lock to be riveted to lid).

Simplex (non-fakeable).

Abicht.

Belgica (fitted with all patents).

Invincible 6 Bird.

Rex, Gerrard, Phoenix and Phoenix Premier.

Abel (with fixed back and locking and opening puncture).

Rotherham (fitted with dolometer).

Skymaster (fitted with dolometer).

S.T.B. (fitted with all patents and modifications).

Easy Way (modified to prevent wrong setting).

Benzing Comatic (with glass face).

Benzing 261-301.

Benzing Computer Clock.

Toulet-Super, Junior Timer (printing clock) T1,T2,T3.

Kovo Clock (printing clock).

Racemaster.

Girod Printing Timer.

The Junior Quartz computer and Racemaster 11.

L A Ladoise.

Any clock not mentioned can be placed before the Committee for approval. All printing clocks must use the rolls provided

by the makers, and printing pads must be attended to for renewal when required. Where certain clocks require open

thimbles, these must be inserted OPEN END DOWN. All clocks fitted with a sealing device must be sealed with the special

Welsh Homing Pigeon Union Clock Seals before being issued for a race and the Seal Number Recorded. Cylindrical

telescopic thimbles will be optional when timing in arrivals. Clocks listed below are exempt: Skymaster, Gerrard, Invincible

Six Bird, and Benzing Comatic 25 bird.

2. All clocks having passed the annual compulsory Three Way Test, under provisions of Clock Rule 21, must remain in Club

Headquarters thereafter except under provisions of Clock Rule 9.

3. Should any clock gain or lose time at a rate of more than two minutes variation in 24 hours, a fast clock shall be regarded

as correct and a slow clock shall have double the time added.

4. The Federation, Club or Chief Clock Setter have the power to detain any clock, and the owner has the right to be present

when this clock is impounded and the owner must be informed when they consider the examination of the said clock.

5. Master timers and control clocks should leave a permanent record of each stage between start and finish of each race.

Should the Master Timer stop between setting and checking then it may be reset using the Greenwich time signal/Tim and

Radio Controlled Clocks. A clock that is being used as a Master Timer must not be used to record arrivals.

6. (a) Should a clock stop or is rendered useless, he or she shall time into the first available clock set for that race, such clock

will be disqualified for said race, and returned intact for inspection by the Clock Committee as appointed at the Annual

General Meeting.

(b) In the event of a bird or birds being timed in races of two or more days and the competitor having had his or her clock

check punched with the Master Timer then these pigeons prior to the check punch would be safe should the clock stop

before being raked out. Clocks must be returned to the Club intact for inspection by the Clock Committee. Should a clock

stop after timing an arrival and not having had a check punch with the Master Timer then that clock will be disqualified.

7. When taking the variation the total gain or loss of a clock to be averaged through the hours which the clock has run. When

the gain or loss has been found, same to be added or deducted as the case may be only up to the time of the arrival

concerned.

8. All clocks must be at the Checking Station within a reasonable time after timing an arrival, and competitors may make

such arrangements as they think fit for this purpose, but no responsibility for delays, etc, that may arise from any cause,

will be taken by a Club or Federation. In all instances clocks must be handed in for checking within twenty-two (22) hours

of timing first and successive arrivals.

9. Should a Member require his clock for a race other than a Club Race i.e. National/Open Races, application for same to be

made, when the clock will be given out under seal. All clocks to be returned to the Parent Club under seal, where the clock

was presented for three (3) way testing. Under no circumstances has a competitor to retain possession of an unsealed

clock during the racing season. In the event of a clock being returned to the Parent Club not under seal or sealed to

the satisfaction of the Chief Clock Setter and either the Secretary, Chairman or President of the Club, the clock will be

rendered ineligible for competition until such time as the same shall has been re-run in accordance with clock Rules 2 and

21 and each Club shall be entitled to fix a fee for such re-run not exceeding £5 as part of its domestic Rules.

10. Members should be issued by Parent Club with a certificate confirming that their clock has passed the Three-Way-Test for

that year. This certificate to accompany clocks to all National and Open Races.

11. Clocks to be read to the last second past and the exact proportion of the total variation applied.

12. Clocks competing under Welsh Homing Pigeon Union Rules must have the approved size glasses fitted and all glasses

must be intact.

13. Under no circumstances shall a Member, including Clock Setter, set or check or withdraw thimbles or rubbers from his

own clock.

14. All clocks set for competition must be set to receive a thimble or rubber in the first receptacle available for that particular

make of clock. It is the competitors responsibility to ensure when taking possession of the clock that it is on number one

(1) cylinder.

15. Clock Setters to examine clock to ascertain if receptacle is empty and clock in order before checking.

16. A puncturing clock must show a full complement of punctures.

17. Greenwich Wireless Time or T.I.M. and Radio Controlled Clocks must be used in connection with all clocks and Master

Timers.

18. Should the velocity of any competitor's bird or birds appear unreasonable or impossibly in advance of other birds on day of

race, the said competitor's clock be detained by the Club, and if necessary to be submitted to the Federation Committee

Meeting following the Race.

19. Any Member may have two or more clocks set for any race but must number such clocks one (1). two (2), etc. Number two

(2) and subsequent clocks will be allowed for use only if number one (1) clock stops, is rendered useless, or if fully and

ready for checking, or has been submitted or taken away from the competitor's loft for checking or striking the same

against the Master Timer in accordance with the provisions of Clock Rules 6a and/or Rule 8.

(a) In addition to Clock Rule 19, in races when birds are singularly rubbered, a clock containing a rubber that does not

comply with any rubber number on the pool sheet, then that rubber time shall be discounted, and all other correct rubbers

in the clock be allowed and that clock NOT be termed "RENDERED USELESS".

(b) In cases where birds are double rubbered, should any rubber in the number one (1) clock, not comply with a rubber on

the pool sheet, then the appropriate time in Number two (2) clock be allowed, provided this number on pool sheet. Should a

competitor's clock stop he or she may time into the first available clock set for the race, placing his or her name in the

thimble or with rubber ring and must make a statement concerning same, which must be returned to Club Headquarters

with the faulty clock intact for examination. Where race entries are double rung a competitor may time the second race

rubber simultaneously into another clock set for the race together with name, and a velocity may be calculated from times

taken from this clock but only where the clock containing the first race ring stops or is rendered useless. Time allowance

for reaching such clocks shall be five (5) minutes per mile on foot, three (3) minutes per mile on cycle, or two (2) minutes

per mile by motor propelled vehicle.

20. All clocks & Master Timers used in competition must be set the day previous to the date of the race, except Electro-

Mechanical and Electronic clocks which may be set the day of marking and clock dials must be signed the night of setting,

complete with the name of the competitor and the date, also the signatures of two (2) Member Lofts present at the setting.

In the event of a clock stopping before timing in, it can be reset by the Master Timer. A clock may be reset after being

opened for checking the first arrival, in two or three races, for the timing of successive arrivals. At the raking out of clocks, three (3) Members lofts must be present other than the Member whose clock is being checked. One (1) ring container or

rubber only shall be taken at a time from the clock and checked.

21. Wind-up clocks used in competition must be subject to a Three-Way-Test. The positions for the test must be Normal, On

Face, On Back. The tolerance allowable for this Test is Plus or Minus One (1) Minute. The tolerance should be applied to the

run of the clock in the Normal Position. Clocks must be run for twenty-four (24) hours in each of the aforementioned

positions. Respective dials to be kept in safekeeping of Club Secretaries. ALL WIND-UP MASTER TIMERS AND WIND-UP

CLOCKS MUST BE WOUND AND RESET USING FRESH DIALS FOR EACH TEST POSITION.

21a. Electro-Mechanical, Electronic and Print-outs. Clocks in this category submitted for use in competition shall be tested by Clubs for a period not less than twenty four (24) hours, which , any gain or loss must be the same tolerances and

parameters as wind-up clocks, in the normal operating position. A record be kept of the running of the clock. Only one test

need apply".

22. Only one puncture or print be necessary to record each arrival.

23. Mr. C.B. Mussard of 1 Benson St., Penclawdd, Swansea, SA4 3XY. Tel: 01792 850349, can be recognised Clock Repairer for

the Welsh Homing Pigeon Union.

24. If at any time a fancier should require a Velocity, then he or she must have his or her clock raked out and checked at the

same marking station at which it was set.

25. That at setting, provided the mechanism allows, all clocks must be running before stamping/puncturing against the Master

Timer.

26. Quartz (Junior) T3 Computer Clocks on checking a data print out must be obtained and sufficient clear white paper allowed

to provide room for:

(a) Name of Organisation.

(b) Racepoint.

complete unbroken strip of paper must be cross-checked against the digital display information in the clock itself. THIS

MUST BE DONE PRIOR TO OPENING OF THE CLOCK. THE EXCEPTION BEING THE JUNIOR T3

AND BENZING COMPUTER CLOCKS, WHERE SIGNATURE REFERENCE SETTINGS MUST BE INSERTED IN CLOCK BOOK. In the

event of a power cut, or breakdown on the print- out, information contained on the digital display will be manually recorded

on a sheet of paper together with information and signatures called for in this Rule. Only after two (2) copies of the

information have been extracted, cross checked and found correct, will the seal be removed and the clock opened, after

which one container or rubber only shall be taken at a time from the clock and checked.

27. That a maximum tolerance often ten (10) be placed on the Dolometer of STB Clocks, however, should the Dolometer move

from eleven (11) to thirty (30), the clock should be investigated, but not disqualified - there- after if the clock moves into

the black the clock will be disqualified.

28. Wind-up clocks used in competition must be reset following a three (3) day holdover of a race. Failure to comply with Rule

will result in automatic disqualification of

fancier and clock. These conditions do not apply to Electro Mechanical, Electrical Clocks and Printouts as these clocks will

be exempt from a re-set.