Submitted by Dale Mullin on 1 November 2009 - 8:58am
Those of you who use our skeet range may or may not be aware that we’ve run into some minor issues with our skeet keys. The keys that have been issued are what we refer to as “count-up” keys. They allow our members to keep track of the rounds they’ve shot by counting up as targets are selected on the control panel. The keys have a built in safeguard in case they should be lost and fall into the hands of non-members. The keys will not allow more than 2000 targets (that is 80 rounds of skeet) to be thrown until their programming has been refreshed.
Some of our members are now running into that 2000 target limit and the 4-H Center’s computer (where our Target Key software was installed) has started having some major problems. We’ve taken the bull by the horns and installed the Target Key program on a couple of computers owned by BoD members and are once again able to reprogram the skeet keys. In the short term we may simply exchange your old key for a new one. Bill Randall, Richard Duck, and I have programmed keys that can be exchanged for your older key. Your old key will be turned in for reprogramming and will eventually be reissued. Some day we may acquire a laptop so that we can reprogram your skeet key on the spot, while you wait.
This process should go pretty smoothly if we’re careful to ensure that the newly issued key number is properly associated with your name and membership number. At the same time the old key number will be removed from your record and put back into the pool of available skeet keys. When you insert your key in the controller you’ll be able to see the total count on your current skeet key. If the count is approaching 2000 targets, contact Bill Randall, Richard Duck, or me to obtain a replacement key.
