Contactless punching is enabled except for start and finish. The SIAC is woken up by the check box. It is my intention to have control boxes awake, but if you are first out on a course there is a possibility that the contactless punching will not work for 1 more controls. Just punch the box and this will wake it up.
Look for the SIAC battery test unit as you head for the start. This gives a readout of the voltage and if voltage is low (I think below 2.72) it will give audible feedback. The SIAC does not need to be awake for this.