FAQs

We can turn around your transmitter order in as little as 7 days (a rush fee applies). We prefer that you place your order eight weeks out, a little longer during the busy season (January - June).

We accept Visa and Mastercard, as well as Purchase Orders from recognized agencies and institutions. To expedite processing your order, please provide payment information when you place an order. International orders must be PREPAID by check, credit card or wire transfer (except Canada or established accounts).

You can enter your credit card data to pay for an invoice or an order in-process (card will be charged at ship time) on our Contact page.

You can locate the responsible Consultant using the world map on our contact page.

 We sell our equipment directly to the customer and so we don’t use distributors.

For all international orders, except Canada or established accounts, payment is required when you place your order. The most efficient way to ship your order is via a third party in the US who will take delivery of your equipment via UPS, and then hand deliver it to its final destination in country.

We accept Visa and Mastercard, as well as Purchase Orders from recognized agencies and institutions. To expedite processing your order, please provide payment information when you place an order. International orders must be PREPAID by check, credit card or wire transfer (except Canada or established accounts).

You can enter your credit card data to pay for an invoice or an order in-process (card will be charged at ship time) on our Contact page.

There are many variables and options available, depending on your requirements, so it's difficult to provide blanket pricing on our website. So, we prefer to provide you a same day quote for the equipment you need.

We usually can turn-around receiver or transmitter repairs in as little as three to five days from the time we receive the equipment.

In urgent cases, we can supply a "loaner" receiver. But since we can usually turn-around repairs in less than five days, and ship them next day delivery, a "loaner" may not be necessary.

Receiver bench checks and repairs are $225, except R410's ($150) and R45XX series ($300). Replacement receiver batteries are $150 (NiMH) and $125 (NiCad).

In the event that additional damage is found during the repair process, a revised estimate will be sent to you for authorization.

New receivers and new battery packs are warranted for one year from date of purchase. Repaired receivers are warranted for thirty (30) days from date of return shipment.

Call us right away, and we will solve any issues you might have, warranty or non-warranty. If we need to build and send replacement transmitters, we will make every effort to provide them to you and avoid compromising your research plans.

We publish the average weight for each transmitter model. There will always be a degree of variablitiy in the final transmitter weight; we try to keep it to 15% or less of spec. Please note that some model series' weights do not include attachment material weights. Also, requested "deviations" to the production design can significantly change the final weight.

Yes, unless you are using coded type transmitters. Contact an ATS Consultant for more information.

ATS does not offer a disposal service for used transmitters. Because regulations vary with specific localities, please check with the appropriate authorities for information regarding equipment disposal.

You may need battery chemistry information when disposing of your equipment. There are two battery types used in VHF transmitters: Lithium, and Silver Oxide. The spec sheet for each transmitter series (e.g. R1500) will tell you which battery chemistry is used. GPS devices all use Lithium batteries.

Please do not send your used equipment to ATS for disposal. It will be returned to you.

In most cases, you can send in your receiver and we can change the original frequency range, at nominal cost.

While tracking, the gain should be turned up all the way, and the volume set at a comfortable level. As you begin to pick up a signal, adjust the gain lower and lower as you get closer to the target. At some point you may need to disconnect the antenna from the cable and allow the cable to behave as an antenna.

 • The receiver’s internal Nicad battery should be recharged approximately 1.5 hours for every 1 hour of use. You can fully charge the battery by leaving the charger plugged in overnight.

 • Do not leave the charger on indefinitely because damage to the battery may occur.

 • Do not use the battery charger to power the receiver from an AC outlet. If needed, you can purchase an AC Power Adaptor from ATS.

 • Whenever possible, wait until the “Low Batt” indicator is flashing on the display before you recharge the battery. (there is approximately 1 hour of battery life remaining when the low battery indicator appears)

• Keep the battery charged during storage periods. Every 60-90 days, turn the receiver on 4-6 hours until the low battery indicator comes on. Then, recharge the battery and store the receiver. PLEASE NOTE: These receivers use two different devices for battery charging and AC power supply. These devices look similar but perform different tasks, so be sure to check and verify your device before use.

 • Turn off the power when charging the battery. When the charger is connected to the receiver, the charging sequence will start.

 • A fully depleted battery pack should be charged to full capacity within 5 hours.

• The capacity of the battery pack is 4.0 Amp hours.

• If the charge capacity of the battery doesn’t seem to be at full capacity, a couple of charge cycles can bring the battery pack back to full capacity (discharge – charge – discharge – charge).

 • It is recommended to maintain a charge cycle when storing the receiver for long periods of time. The battery can drain to 80% capacity during a 6 month shelf life.

With a fully charged battery, your receiver with a NiCad battery (all models except R45XX series) should operate for approximately 6 hours before the low battery indicator begins to flash.

Your receiver with a NiMH battery (model R45XX series) battery should operate for approximately 18 hours in stationary mode and approximately 11 hours for manual and aerial modes.

 If the battery life is significantly diminished, please send your equipment to us for maintenance. There are many possible reasons for a battery not holding a charge, and the problem is best resolved by trained technicians.

Place the antenna with the elements pointing either up and down, i.e., vertically, (assuming a directional Yagi antenna) and the main mast out toward the target. You can also change the orientation of the elements to the horizontal plane, and see if you receive a stronger signal that way.

The larger the antenna, and the more "elements" on it, the better will be the range (e.g., our 3 element antenna will not obtain the range that our 4 element model will). Also, since VHF is line-of-site, the higher up in the air you mount your antenna, the better will be the range.