Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Some months ago the board of directors approved replacing the gate card hardware and software, because we had been experiencing intermittant failures (probably caused by line power failures and power spikes over the years) on the system that was installed about 14 years ago, and the system was no longer reliable. In addition, that software and hardware was obsolete, and maintenance was problematic, so a new card controller, card readers, and software were purchased. The new software has some significant advantages over the old code, and we now have new card readers on both the range gate and the main entrance door of the clubhouse.
Member Tony Heckard is nearly finished with the installation of the new gate card system. He has installed the hardware, arranged the software installation, has the first 250 new gate cards, and has ordered 500 more. He is now in the process of loading the data base with member names, and assigning new gate cards to them.
The old gate cards will continue to work through 28 February 2010. New gate cards will be mailed to members as their cards are assigned to them. There is no charge for the new card. We are going to try to include at least some of the new gate cards when new membership cards are mailed to those who are life members or who have paid their dues by mail, so that we can save on postage. Those gate cards that are not mailed can be picked up at the annual meeting. Those gate cards remaining to be distributed after the annual meeting will be mailed to members before the old gate controller is disabled.
One of the advantages of the new system is that we can enable and track member access to the clubhouse. The board of directors will determine the policy for access to the clubhouse, but it will almost certainly be at least as it is now - all members of board of directors and committee chairpersons can enter the clubhouse at any time. Keys for some of the interior doors will still be required until we decide whether to add card locks to them. There will be a few changes in entering or leaving the building, however, which are given at the end of this document. Another advantage is that we will also be able to issue a temporary card (with a security deposit) to renters to enable them to access the clubhouse on the date of their rental, which will simplify the process of giving a renter access to the building for set-up, their function, and cleaning afterwards.
The new security cards are called "proximity cards", because they only need to be moved within a few inches of the card reader in order for the code on the card to be read. They work because the card reader projects an electromagnetic field for a short distance - usually about 3 inches - around the reader. When the proximity card, which contains an integrated circuit, a coil, and a capacitor embedded in the card, is brought close to the reader, the movement of the card through the electromagnetic field excites the coil (causes a flow of low voltage electricity) which then charges the capacitor, and powers the integrated circuit (IC). The IC, which includes a small transmitter, sends the 36 bit card code to the card reader, which sends the information along to the controller, which compares the card code to our authorized persons list and decides whether or not to release the electromagnet holding the gate or door closed. All of this activity takes place in less than a second. (Since these cards contain electronic circuitry, they should not be bent or folded.)
Range gate access. The new card reader is on the east side of the same metal post to which the old magnetic stripe reader is attached. Move your card near the face of the card reader, or just tap the face of the reader with your card. The green LED at the top of the card reader will illuminate when the gate unlocks. If you use your proximity card to enter and leave the range, you are not required to sign in at the kiosk by the gate. If you have guests, however, you must still sign them in at the kiosk, and deposit their range fee in the box.
Clubhouse access. The new card reader is located at the doors on the south side of the clubhouse on the wall to the right of the right-hand door about 4 feet above the ground. If the magnetic lock is enabled, a key will not open the door - the card reader must be used. Move your card near the face of the card reader, or just tap the face of the reader with your card. The green LED at the top of the card reader will illuminate when the door unlocks, and it will "beep" at the same time. To exit the building by the south doors, you have two choices. First, you may exit via the west door (the door without the magnetic lock) by pushing the bar to open the door. If you exit through this door, please confirm that the door is closed and latched after you exit, as the door latch sometimes sticks open. Second, you may exit via the east door (the door with the magnetic lock) by pressing the green back-lit button at the left side of the door on the wall. This will release the magnetic lock, and you may then exit the door. When the door swings shut, it will be recaptured by the electromagnet and automatically locked again.
The security card controller is on a battery back-up, and in the event of a power failure the door and gate should continue to function for several hours. If the power outage lasts longer than the battery, the magnets will turn off, and the door and gate will be unlocked. In the event of a failure of the electronics in the system, the exit button in the clubhouse will continue to function, as it mechanically interrupts the magnet circuit rather than sending a signal to the card controller to electronically switch off the magnet.
If you have additional questions you can call Dan Postlewait (503-266-2463) or Doug Phaneuf (503-651-3035) or send an e-mail to crgc@canby.com, which will be forwarded to the appropriate person for a response.