VEMCO - VR2C Manual
9
Jul 2018
12
2.4
Testing
Before deploying a VR2C, it is wise to test it with a tag to verify that it has been configured appropriately
and is operating properly. This test also creates a VRL file containing all the configuration information for
this receiver. It is important to keep the VRL files as a record of the receiver’s configuration.
Tests can, and should, be done in both air and water. The VR2C can detect coded tags in air, but at a much
reduced range compared to their range capabilities in water.
2.4.1
In-Air Test
Perform air tests away from electrical noise sources such as motors, PC screens, or fluorescent lights.
Before beginning the test, ensure the clock of the PC to be used is set to the correct local time and time zone.
Follow the steps listed below to perform the in-air test.
1.
Connect the VR2C to your PC or terminal using the VR2C external cable.
2.
Enter Record Mode. In VUE, this means starting a study (see section 3.1.6). If
you’re using ASCII commands, then follow the instructions in section 3.2.5 to
enable Record Mode and RTM output.
3.
Activate a tag that operates on the same frequency as the VR2C receiver and place it
near the hydrophone at the distance listed below. Position the tag so the side of the
tag is facing the side of the VR2C hydrophone, as shown in the photo.
If using a 69 kHz tag, place the tag less than 30 cm (12”) away from the
hydrophone.
If using a 180 kHz tag, place the tag less than 8 cm (3”) away from the
hydrophone.
4.
Wait while the VR2C records the tag near it. You can watch the flash patterns as the tag’s pings are
detected and the data is stored in memory. Each faint flash of the Status Light (LED) is a received ping
and a long, bring flash is a stored detection. If you are connected to VUE, you can see the detections in
real time in the Detection Monitor section at the bottom of the Receiver tab window. If using ASCII
commands, then verify that the VR2C RTM output on the PC or terminal contains the tag detection.
5.
If the VR2C is not in communication with VUE while the tag has been pinging, then follow the
instructions in section 3.1.2 to connect to VUE and check the number of detections and pings received
listed in the receiver status information.
6.
Offload the data that was collected during the test (section 3.1.7), creating a VRL file.
7.
View the data to verify that the data was stored and retrieved without problems. Instructions for viewing
data are found in the VUE manual.
2.4.2
In-Water Test
Tests performed in water are almost identical to the in-air test explained above. The only difference is that
the tags should be positioned farther from the receivers – 5 meters is suggested. In-water tests are often
performed to establish an ideal range for the VR2C receivers in the environment in which they are moored.
Details of conducting a Range Test are found at
