Tracker Receiver Classic Receiver Operating Instructions
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18 ∴ received strong signals at the first loca- tion and note if another strong signal comes from a common bearing. ∴ If you can easily reach a higher eleva- tion (increasing the odds for a line-of- sight signal), take another reading. ∴ If the object (house, hillside, etc.) at the source of the bounce is small, try moving perpendicular to a line be- tween you and the source of the sig- nal. Often if the angle is changed the strength of the signal will change sig- nificantly. If this occurs, review the initial angle to create a possible candi- date bearing to the transmitter or eliminate this bearing (bounce signal). ∴ Implement a process of elimination strategy. If the signal is difficult to read remove from consideration all line-of-sight locations that you do not receive a strong signal. You will notice that the signal in the open field led you directly to the transmitter while in hilly area the bearing changed slightly as you move around obstacles and hills. This signal “bounce” is completely normal and eventually, with practice, you will be able to “read” the sig- nal in relation to the terrain. Note: As you search with the receiver on, you may note that after 15 minutes of continuous use where no key is pressed, the receiver automatically turns off (you may need to turn the receiver on again). 11 It is important to remember the characteristics of a line-of-sight situation as it will aid in reading the signal in the field. Automatic Shut-off: The Tracker receiver features an automatic shut-off circuit that will guard against running down the batteries if the receiver is inadver- tently left on. Most receivers are set to shut down after 15. Changing the Batteries: 1. Start by turning the receiver upside down to allow access to battery compart- ment. 2. Loosen the retaining screw on the bat- tery cover and remove the cover expos- ing the two 9 Volt batteries. 3. Replace BOTH batteries with 9 Volt bat- teries of same type and equal strength. New 9 volt Alkaline batteries are recom- mended. 4. Replace the battery compartment cover – start by inserting forward edge in slot at the front end of the compartment. 5. Tighten the retaining screw.
12 Maintenance: The CLASSIC receiver is designed to be rela- tively trouble free. You can prolong the life of your system by following these simple sugges- tions: 1. Store the unit in a dry place at room temperature when not in use. 2. Minimize the contact with water. Tracker receivers are among the most water re- sistant on the market but no unit is wa- terproof. Do not store receiver in a wet holster. If unit is submerged in water or becomes soaked, immediately remove the batteries and ship unit to Tracker Radio where it can be chemically cleaned and dried. WARNING: If a receiver is stored wet and left to dry, pockets of water may be left under components. This will cause corrosion and damage, even though unit is working. 3. When batteries are weak, replace BOTH at the same time. Both batteries should be identical type (9V – non rechargeable, etc.). Good quality alkaline batteries are recommended. Rechargeable batteries may be used but, if employed, the low battery indicator may not provide much, if any, warning. 4. If the receiver becomes soiled, the body and antenna can be cleaned with alcohol or damp cloth. 17 Next repeat the practice procedure in an area similar to your hunting area (open fields, for- ested area, etc.). By this point, you should have mastered the few controls that are required on the Tracker receiver. This is important as your attention should be focused on analyzing the signal rather than operating the receiver. If the channel is set correctly and the gain level is set correctly, your attention can then be focused on interpreting the signal. As you proceed with more complicated searches, it is important to keep moving as you are processing new data points at each new location rather than re- sampling the same data point when stationary. Follow a similar procedure as in the previous example. Have someone from your family or group hide the transmitter in an area that will provide a range of obstructions (physical and/or man-made). Unfold the antennas, activate the receiver, select the correct channel and deter- mine if a signal is present. If the signal is heard, slowly sweep 360 degrees to ascertain the direction of strongest signal. You may no- tice that you receive a relatively similar strength signal from two or more directions. Under these circumstances, first try to ascertain whether a hillside or other obstruction is the source of the bounce signal. While there is no universal method for analyzing multiple strong signals, try the following when encountering a bounce signal candidate: ∴ Move to another location some dis- tance away and repeat the procedure. Try to remember the bearing that you
16 No signal 225 o Strong: 2-4+ LEDs 0o 315 o No signal 90 o 270 o 45 o 180 o Weak: 0-1 LEDs 135 o No sig nal N o sig na l We ak: 0 - 1 LED s Weak: 0- 1 LEDs Figure 1: Typical receiver behavior in line-of- sight situations. the signal of the field. Transmitting Collar 13 5. If the antennas fold in and out with diffi- culty, DO NOT lubricate. Lubrication re- quires a special non-penetrating conduc- tive lubricant and is best accomplished by sending the unit to Tracker for ser- vice. 6. Do not try to adjust the forward/front antennas as it may cause damage to the circuit board, If forward/front Antennas are loose (will not stay in the open posi- tion), send unit in for service. USING YOUR SYSTEM GETTING STARTED It is important to ac- quaint yourself with the features of the receiver before using it in the field. While your system is simple yet powerful, you will need some time to become proficient in its use and be able to “read” the signal in differ- ent locations. It is highly recommended that you practice first before taking your dog hunt- ing. Radio Tracking is essentially one-way communi- cation. Like a radio station, something is trans- mitted (music, news) that you hear through your receiver (radio). The transmitter collar in this example is the radio station and your Tracker receiver is the car radio. The observed strength of the signal depends on the amplitude of the wave detected by HINT: Make sure you take the time to familiar- ize yourself with the con- trols before tracking a transmitter in the field. With a little practice you will become a proficient tracker.
14 the receiver. The higher the signal amplitude, the greater the signal indicated by the Tracker receiver. Radio waves spread in all directions from the source of the transmission. As the spreading signals travel away for the source their amplitude decreases and the indicated sig- nal level is reduced. The antenna’s function is to receive the waves for the receiver to process. The degree of difficulty in locating a dog fitted with a radio collar can vary considerably. Key factors include, landscape, natural and man- made obstructions (trees, buildings, power lines, etc.) and weather conditions. These factors in- fluence the strength of the signal received, ei- ther by attenuating (reducing the strength of the signal) or creating a reflection that will indicate a “false position” where the signal will “bounce off” an object. Understanding how the signal is influenced by these factors will vastly improve your ability to locate your dog. To become proficient with the operation of the receiver, you should consider activating a trans- mitter, and have someone in your family or group place it in an open area free from ob- structions (where it can be relocated, if neces- sary). A good distance to start would be at least several hundred yards. Turn on the re- ceiver, select the correct channel and reduce the gain setting so that only 2 to 3 LEDs (green) are illuminated in the direction of the strongest sig- nal. Once this is completed, keep the receiver on and walk toward the strongest signal sweep- ing continuously in a 180 degree arc that con- tains the strongest signal. As you approach the 15 transmitter (indicated by the signal becoming stronger) continue to reduce the gain (turn knob counter-clockwise) so that only a few LEDs are illuminated in the direction of the strongest signal. If any of the red LEDs are illuminated it is a signal to reduce the gain. You should quickly locate the transmitter after a little practice. After you be- come proficient in locating the transmitter in a flat area (line-of-sight), you are ready to practice in more challenging landscape. The speed of the sweep is important. If you sweep too fast, it will be difficult to get a good reading. A steady sweep is best to start in order to get an initial reading. Once you have an initial bearing indication, verify that your bearing is cor- rect by making a few sweeps in other directions. Practice will provide you with the correct tech- nique. In the line-of-sight exercise, you should have noted several characteristics of the signal: - The bearing of strongest signal was consis- tent. - The signal strength diminished in a consistent pattern as you varied 30 or more degrees right or left of the true bearing to the transmitter. It is important to remember the characteristics of a line-of-sight situation as it will aid in “reading” HINT! Pay particular attention to the gain control setting. It is much easier to track a transmitter when the gain is set at the lowest setting that yields an audible signal. If you see red LEDs, that is your indication to reduce the gain.