How It Works - Tinyloc R2 FINDER Manuel D'instructions

6. RADIO TRACKING AND GPS MODES

6.1 HOW IT WORKS

Tinyloc devices, unlike other tracking equipment, combine two modes of operation, GPS and
Radio tracking, which makes them the safest option to retrieve the dogs after the hunt.
The GPS TINYLOC search technology consists of the R2 Finder and the Hound Finder collar. Both
incorporate a GPS device that provides both the receiver and the collar with the exact position.
The collar sends its position to the R2 Finder through a radio link.
Warning! Communication between the collar and R2 Finder are established through radio waves and
not through GPS satellites. The satellites do not establish communication between the receiver and
the collar. (Figure 3). For the compass to indicate the distance and direction of the collar, both must
have GPS signal and must be able to communicate with each other via radio.
The radio tracking mode provides a range that is three times more powerful than the GPS mode.
The receiver gets the radio tracking signal pulses even if they are very weak which results in a
large increase in the tracking distance.
The GPS mode works very differently as data (coordinates) are transmitted via a radio link. A
weakening of the radio link signal derived from long distances or due to the existence of major
obstacles will prevent determining position. In these cases, the search should continue with
the radio tracking system until the R2 Finder receives a GPS signal again. We will never get the
position of the collar if we do not have radio tracking signal, as data cannot be transmitted if there
is no radio link.
The incorporation of both modes of operation ensures dog retrieval. Other tracking devices do
not consider the possibility of losing the GPS position on rugged terrain and do not include the
radio tracking mode for long-range search, so factors influencing GPS reception such as weather
conditions (very cloudy sky, thick forests) can prevent the retrieval of the animal.
Figure 3
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