Overview

All our transmitter packages are custom-designed for the particular needs of your study animal and project type. The following is a guide to the basic types of transmitter on which we build to your custom requirements. Please contact us before ordering to discuss which configuration best suits your individual needs.

Single Stage Transmitter

Suitable for monitoring the smallest of animals, One Stage Transmitters are useful for many applications due to their simple design and consequent low weight. Read More.

Two Stage Transmitter

Using long life lithium batteries these modest sized lightweight transmitters employ advanced technology to provide the highest possible performance and reliability. Read More.

Specifications

The transmitter package is most often custom-built for each species and research program. Consideration must be given to the weight of the package, how long the transmitter needs to run for (longevity) and transmitter configuration which includes attachment method, antenna type, battery shape and desired frequency.

Weight

It is usually recommended that a transmitter package weighs no more than 5% of the animals body weight. Flying animals such as birds, bats and aquatic animals should carry no more than 2-3% of their body weight.

Longevity

Most users require the transmitter to keep transmitting for as long as possible and this is limited by battery capacity, which in turn is limited by weight considerations. In general, the longer a transmitter is required to transmit, the bigger the battery required.

Pulse Rate

Pulse rate is not relevant except that it needs to be fast enough to determine direction as an animal moves and this will vary depending on the type of animal being tracked. Most animals can be tracked successfully at 40ppm but fast moving animals may need 50 or 60ppm.

For more information about the specifications required for your study animal please contact us.

Attachments

Attachment	Details	Suitability
Collar	Most common form of attachment	Camels, koalas, kangaroos, hunting dogs
Tail mount	Attached to the tail features	Birds
Leg mount	Useful when other form of attachment not tolerated or practical	Long beaked echidna, cassowary
Harness	Used when collar is not suitable, such as when animal's neck diameter may exceed their head	Small mammals, amphibians, long-necked birds
Adhesive	May be glued onto the animals body	Birds, bats, lizards
Implant	Used when externally mounted transmitter interferes with movement or cant be attached easily	Snakes, Amphibians

Antennas

Transmitters require an antenna to radiate the signal. The ideal length of the antenna (a multiple or fraction of the wavelength of the frequency on which the unit is transmitting) is usually not convenient so shorter antenna lengths are chosen and the transmitter circuit should be tuned accordingly.

Whip Antenna

Gives greatest range for a given transmitter, typically 150-200cm in length it can be single strand (lighter) or multi-strand (more flexible) in various gauges. It can also be made to stand proud of the animal rendered in stiff wire (increases range.)

A compact design but often heavier as it is usually rendered in copper to allow coil shape retention. A helical antenna is formed when the antenna wire is wound into a spiral or coil to reduce space required while maintaining length. It is often used in implants.

Loop

Used when trailing whip antenna is not desirable or likely to be damaged. It can be incorporated in a collar or wrapped around a transmitter/battery in implants.

Battery Options

The choice of battery and where it is attached can also influence the size and weight of the finished transmitter. The following batteries are available in a range of sizes, shapes and capacities.

*For Two Stage Transmitters, the electronic boards themselves can be configured differently to give a different product. For example, two boards can be joined end to end, placed side by side or sandwiched one on top of the other. This can be specified when placing an order.

Coating

Transmitter coating is very important as failure of transmitters is often traced to moisture ingress (entering) - especially around the antenna base. Layering of coating can minimise these problems.

Transmitters can be dipped, building up several layers depending on how long you want the transmitter to last (eg. several days vs several years) or cast in a mould (eg. shaped to fit gluing on a turtle shell.)

Standard marine grade epoxy

For robust and water resisitant operation in a range of environments.

Lighter, flexible plastic or silicon conformal coating

For single stage transmitters where transmitter life is shorter and weight is an important consideration.

Epoxy

Impregnated with cayenne pepper to discourage chewing in rodents etc.

Dental Acrylic

Extra heavy duty eg. camel collars where fighting and biting is a problem.