There are steps you can take before going out in the field to help prevent any interference when hunting in a group.
Collect all Dog IDs and Handheld IDs from the group and write them down. Any dogs or handhelds that have similar ID numbers will need to be changed on the handheld to an ID channel that is free.
Have one handheld be the main handheld, add all the dogs to that handheld. Share wirelessly or use the track/train codes to add the collars to the rest of the group’s handhelds
Conflicting IDs
Collars are automatically allocated ID numbers on open frequencies and channels when being added to the handheld. There are three main reasons you can get interference:
Frequency is overloaded, too many dogs on one frequency.
Space out the dogs on different frequencies and channels.
Channel number is repeated or are listed too close together.
Try to space out the channels at least 5 apart on each frequency.
Hunters in same area using the same frequency and channel.
When hunting with others check to make sure your dogs and handhelds do not have conflicting frequencies.
Changing the Dog ID and Handheld ID
Alpha® 100
Changing the Dog ID
Turn Dog Collar On
Dog List
Select Show Dog Info
Select the button with 3 lines
Select Change ID
Changing the Handheld ID
Select Set Up
Contacts
Select Pairing Set Up
Select
Select Transmitting to turn the transmission on or off
Select ID to change the ID number
Select Update Rate to change how often another handheld will receive location updates
Alpha® 10
Changing the Dog ID
Turn Dog Collar On
Press the Right textured button until you see your dog list
Below are common scenarios users can face while in the field.
Tracking 20 Dogs
Your handheld has its own ID number. If you are not going to track another handheld, you are able to turn this feature off to free an ID Number for a dog collar, for you to pair 20 dog’s total. You will now be able to add a 20th dog to your dog list. Refer to the above section "Changing the Dog ID and Handheld ID" for the instructions on how to turn off your handheld's ID number.
Example of Handheld With 20 Dogs
Removing and Adding Dogs
When removing a dog from the handheld, an ID number becomes available for use. Adding another dog to the handheld can cause interference if the new dog’s ID number is not changed to the available ID number.
Scenario:
Dog A is going home with its owner for the night and Dog B is owned by a different person and will be replacing Dog A on the hunt.
The owner of Dog B will need to know what ID number is available for use. Check the Dog list and see what ID number Dog A has before removing it from the handheld.
The owner of Dog B can then change the dog ID on his handheld to the available number. Others will now be able to add Dog B to their handheld by using the track/control code or by sharing wirelessly.
4 hunters each have 4 dogs, each hunter wants to track all dogs and all handhelds being use.
Example of Initial Handheld Set Up
Once each dog and handheld have their own ID number the hunters can share the track/control code or share each dog collar wirelessly to the other handheld for them to be able to track as well. Each handheld will have 16 dogs listed in their dog list and 3 contacts listed in their contacts. Your own handheld will not be listed in contacts on your handheld.
Example of Finished Handheld Set Up
Scenario 2:
4 handlers each have 1 dog, each handler wants to track each dog as well as each handheld. A 5th person has a handheld and wants to track the handhelds only.
