Power Supply; Range Test - bca Tracker S Owner's Manual

Familiarization
Distance/directional display should be against your body and transmit light
should be exposed and visible.
To search, remove Tracker S from its pouch, but keep the harness on and
lanyard attached. If using without a harness, keep Tracker S in a secure
pocket, preferably in your pants or other garment that won't be removed
while traveling in the backcountry. Attach the lanyard clip to a belt or
other solid fixture. If the lanyard is removed from harness or clothing for
searching, keep it attached to your wrist with the loop provided.

Power Supply

Tracker S operates with three AAA alkaline batteries. Use only high-quality
alkaline batteries of identical age and brand. Do not use rechargeable,
lithium, Oxyride, PowerPix or any other non-alkaline battery. Replace with
fresh batteries at the beginning of every season.
If Tracker S is exposed to excessive moisture, open the battery door
to help allow the unit to dry. To prevent corrosion of contacts, remove
batteries during extended periods of inactivity. The manufacturer does not
warranty damage caused by battery corrosion.
Trailhead Test
Always perform a trailhead (or "group") function test at the start of every
trip. Make sure that your search and transmit functions work, the display is
readable, and the batteries have adequate charge. In addition, a range test
should be performed if there are any changes within the group.

Range Test

If your group has new members, new transceivers, or there is any reason to
suspect there is a transceiver with compromised performance, start your trip with
a range test in addition to the trailhead function test. Do not proceed to avalanche
terrain if the range between any two transceivers is less than 20 meters.
For details on how to perform function and range tests, please see
www.backcountryaccess.com/education.
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Searching
Tracker S operates using the 457 kHz international standard frequency.
It is fully compatible with all avalanche transceivers adhering to
this standard. Do not use with 457 kHz transceivers designed for
firefighter rescue.
When searching, keep Tracker S at least 20" (50 cm) away from
electrical equipment, including cell phones and video cameras.
Turn all non-essential electrical equipment off if possible.
The search process includes four phases: the signal search, the coarse
search, the fine search, and the pinpointing/probing phase (See Figure E).
Figure E
SIGNAL
m
SEARCH
> 40 m
20 m
20 m
COARSE
SEARCH
3–40 m
FINE
SEARCH
< 3 m
Signal Search: The signal search refers to the process of establishing a
search pattern and looking for a signal. The search pattern will be defined
by the victim's last seen area, the size of the slide, and the number of
searchers. Refer to Figure F to establish a signal search pattern. If the slide
is less than 40 meters wide, the signal search path will be directly up or
down the center. If the victim's last seen area is well defined, the signal
search will follow a direct path along the fall line (up or down) from this point.
Operating Instructions
Objective: Locate signal
• If no "last seen area," search entire path
• Rotate Tracker back and forth horizontally
• Max 40 m between searchers or switchbacks
20 m
40m
Objective: Move quickly to 10 m, slowly to 3 m
• Follow general direction of center 3 lights
• Make sure distance readings are decreasing
• Slow down at 10 m
Objective: Locate smallest distance reading
(strongest signal)
• Use Tracker S close to snow surface
• Confirm lowest distance reading by "bracketing"
• Begin probing at lowest distance
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