User's Manual

27
SHIFT
SET
∆
and enter the two-digit gain increment value (e.g., 01).
Returning to the SIGNAL/Interval routine, you continue to increase the gain until you begin to
see random triggering of the signal strobe character (lower right display quadrant). For
automatic signal recognition by the receiver you should set the gain just below this value. In
many applications this will also be the optimum gain for audio tracking as well. For a further
discussion of these issues, see the Optimization section, below.
On tracking flights, you will be using the SCAN routine to search for animals and record their
locations. You want to minimize the probability of missing animals, either because they are not
where you expect them to be or because they are in a radio shadow (e.g., in a steep ravine) and
their detection window is very short. In the interest of economy you also want to minimize the
flight time. As the study evolves, you develop a plan for which tables to check in which
locations, and in all cases you use the remove and copy utility to facilitate the aims listed above.
PROCEDURE: USING THE SCAN TABLE
To start the SCAN routine, press
SHIFT SCAN
The program will begin scanning the current active partition (active table). On entry, the signal
measurement strobe will be inactive. To activate it, press
SHIFT SIGNAL
The upper right quadrant of the display will show the lower and upper boundaries of the time
interval window and the arrow keys will control the window size. For tracking, you will
normally want to have access to gain or frequency control, so you may use
SHIFT SET F
or
SHIFT SET G
to restore arrow key control of gain or frequency respectively, while leaving the signal strobe
active.
If you are using a set of isolating headphones, you will be able to hear very weak transmitters
before the receiver does (see Optimization below). You may wish to turn the aircraft in the