User's Manual Part 2

Troubleshooting
G
ATEKEEPER SYSTEMS INC.
2007
CART CONTAINMENT MANUAL
Page 71
Antenna Troubleshooting with the Tracker II
The Model 501 Tracker II is designed to
locate the path and depth of buried cable,
service wires, metallic pipe or conduit, and
locate the end of a cut cable. The Tracker II
transmitter is housed in an aluminum case
and is powered by eight 1.5v AA batteries.
The transmitter has an on/off control knob
which is also used to adjust the output level
and a LED indicating the battery condition.
Effective range is greater than 4,000’ in
length and for depths up to 7’. The receiver
is encased in an aluminum housing,
mounted with an antenna and is powered by
a 9v battery. The receiver has a speaker for
listening to the signal, a meter for monitoring
the signal level, a handset jack, an on/off
volume control knob and an antenna for detecting the tone over the cable.
The tone generator and probe should always be used with a set of headphones, as ambient noise makes it
difficult to hear the subtle tone changes that indicate a break or short.
1. Plug the cord set leads into the transmitter and clip the leads together.
2. Turn the transmitter control on and rotate fully clockwise. A bright LED indicates enough battery power. If the
battery test light is not lit brightly change the batteries following the directions on the Transmitter housing.
3. Turn the transmitter off.
4. Connect the transmitter to the perimeter antenna:
• Twisted Pair - connect a lead to each separate conductor within the cable. It is important to make sure
that the shield and drain are not touching either conductor.
• Antenna Loop Cable- connect one lead to the conductor and the other lead to earth-ground. This can be
done via a screw driver or to a conduit that has been tested with a ground plug.
5. Turn the receiver control on and rotate clockwise to the 12:00 position.
6. Turn the transmitter on to the #3 position and pass the receiver antenna close to the transmitter. Any
indication from the receiver indicates acceptable battery condition. If the receiver has no indication as it
passes near the transmitter, change the batteries follow the directions on the receiver housing.
7. Walk along the perimeter antenna path with the end of the receiver held near the ground. The signal will
diminish rapidly and be lost as you near and then pass the break.
8. Double back and check again. Make a mark where the signal disappears.
9. Reconnect the transmitter leads to the other side of the antenna and test from the other direction to confirm
the location of the break before exposing the cable.
This same procedure can be used to locate cable splices and damaged cable. As the signal begins to fade mark
the asphalt. You will see a larger area of weak signal.