Issue 8, March 2009

New Tag Programming Options Now Available

VEMCO tags provide researchers the ability to program various combinations of On and Off times for tags during the course of the tag life. Until now, VEMCO tags could only be programmed with one acoustic output power setting (Low or High) and one set of minimum and maximum delay settings. We were able to provide various combinations of programmed On and Off periods for tags during the course of the tag life.

Now VEMCO is happy to announce we have enhanced our tag programming options to include multiple acoustic power settings, multiple minimum and maximum delay settings and continue to provide a variety of programmed ON and OFF options during the life of the tag. This gives researchers even greater flexibility on how the tag behaves and allows them to tailor the tags' programming parameters to enhance detection range for some period of the tags life and maximize battery life during others.

Here is just one example of a tag programming option that can now be supported.

Stage 1: The tag is programmed to start in LOW power mode with min/max delay settings of 15/45 seconds for a period of 1 day. This allows a researcher the ability to activate a tag and have it active for 1 day during the surgical implantation phase of the study.

Stage 2:The tag is programmed to turn OFF for a period of 9 days. In order to conserve battery life while the animals recover from surgery the tags are switch to the OFF state since the location of the animals is known.

Stage 3:The tag is programmed to turn ON in HIGH power mode with min/max delays settings of 30/90 seconds for a period of 45 days. This allows a researcher the ability to track the animals during a 45 day migration period through the study area.

Stage 4:The tag is programmed to stay ON but switch to LOW power mode with min/max delay settings of 110/250 seconds for a period of 100 days. This allows a researcher the ability to track the animals during 100 days during a more residency type setting. The lower power and longer delays will also extend the battery life from what would have traditionally been possible.

There are many more programming option variations available. Please contact your Vemco Sales Representative to discuss your particular study and desired programming options.