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Understanding ID Numbers and Interference

Both the handheld and the dog device have an ID number. Both the dog ID or handheld ID are made up of two components: frequency and a channel number.

Frequency

The Astro® 430 and Alpha® dog tracking systems run on 5 different MURS/VHF frequencies ranging from 151.820 mHz and 154.600 mHz.

  • Frequency 1 transmits on 151.820 mHz
  • Frequency 2 transmits on 151.880 mHz
  • Frequency 3 transmits on 151.940 mHz
  • Frequency 4 transmits on 154.570 mHz
  • Frequency 5 transmits on 154.600 mHz

Channel Number

There are a total of 20 channel numbers that are able to be spread out on the 5 different frequencies listed above. You can only use a channel when that channel is not currently being used in your list. You are not able to track a handheld or dog collar if the channel number is repeated at all on your dog list or contact list. 

What the Frequency and Channel Number Look Like On Your Device

The frequency is always the first number listed, the channel will be the number listed after the dash. 

Example:

1-12 

The frequency is 1 and the channel is 12

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:

  1. Frequency is overloaded, too many dogs on one frequency.
    • Space out the dogs on different frequencies and channels. 
  2. Channel numbers are repeated or are listed too close together.
    • Try to space out the channels at least 5 apart on each frequency. 
  3. 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. 

Frequency Overload

All of the dog frequencies being on 1 with the channel number being right next to each other can cause symptoms of interference

frequency chart 


  • Chart 1: All the dog collars frequencies are listed as ‘Frequency 1’ with the channel number being right next to each other can cause symptoms of interference.
  • Chart 2: The channel numbers are spread throughout the frequencies; there is not just one frequency being used.
    • The channels are also spread out between similar frequencies, as shown in Dog 1 and Dog 5. 

Repeated Channel Numbers

channel chart

  • Chart 1, the frequencies are different, but Dog 3 and Dog 6 are on the same channel.
  • Chart 2, the channels are all different, and the frequencies are different as well.
    • If you have the same channel number listed on your dog list or contact list you will have interference.

Hunting With or Near other Hunters 

Interference can happen when you are hunting around other hunters or hunting in groups. The best way to avoid this is ensuring that you all have your collars set to different channel numbers. Collars are automatically allocated ID numbers on open frequencies and channels when being added to the handheld. If you are unable to be on different channel numbers make sure there is ample distance between hunters on similar channels, distance can help prevent conflict and collars dropping signal while out in the field.

Each device has their own way of troubleshooting these experiences:

Troubleshooting Interference on the Alpha 100, Alpha 10, Astro 430 and Astro 900
Troubleshooting Interference on the Pro 550 Plus
Troubleshooting Interference on the Alpha 200 Series Handheld