Dow AgroSciences Scout User manual

Rev B | 6 August 2020
Scout RFID Tag Reader
User Manual
The Scout device operates as an RFID reader for in-ground RFID tags. The
equipment is a transmitter operating at 125kHz. The equipment is a battery
operated handheld unit with an armrest, handle, interface board with LCD and
buttons and speaker, pole shaft, and transmitter board. The unit uses the LCD and
speaker to convey information to the operator about the RFID tag. When a tag is
found an audible alert is sounded. As the tag gets closer the audible tone
increases in pitch and signal strength indication on the LCD also increases. As soon
as the tag is fully read its information is displayed on the LCD and a successful read
sound is annunciated.

Rev B | 6 August 2020
The foot of the station detector is an antenna that receives RFID tag information
from the caps of the stations. The antenna reception pattern has a shape like a
large upside-down light bulb from the bottom of the antenna with leaves
extending from each side. The detection region extends approximately 8” from
the center of the antenna and reaches a width of about 7”. The side lobes extend
approximately 7¼” from the center of the antenna and reaches a height of about
4”.
The following photos show a white cutout that represents the reception area of
the antenna:

Rev B | 6 August 2020
The antenna is intended to be held approximately 2” above the ground cover
surface (soil, mulch, gravel) and is intended to detect tags that are buried up to 4”
under the surface. The antenna should be kept parallel to ground surface to
maximize the ability to detect the RFID tags that are buried parallel to the ground
surface.
To set the antenna height, hold the unit as it would normally be used and adjust
the pole extensions until the antenna face is flush against the ground, locking the
pole extensions:
Unlock, decrease the length of a pole extension piece by 2” then re-lock:

Rev B | 6 August 2020
To maximize coverage and speed the antenna should be swept from side to side
in an arc while moving forward or back no more than 8” in each sweep. This
allows for full detection of the area underneath the antenna.

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Button Functions
Back (short press) & Power Off (press for 3 seconds)
Up
Down
Select/Enter

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Startup Screen
1 second before transition
…
Device will attempt to connect to
last device it was connected to
during startup screens.
After Startup
Last Slide
Paired?
Go to Pairing Screen
No
Go to Main Screen
Yes

Rev B | 6 August 2020
Main Screen
Connection status shown by
Bluetooth icon in upper right corner
The main screen will show the real-time signal level
of nearby RFID tags.
When a valid tag read has occurred, the display will
show the scanned tag ID for three seconds:
Approximate battery level will be
displayed below the Bluetooth status icon with
a corresponding battery symbol rendered below:
Critical battery level alerts will also be communicated to the user through
a combination of auditory or flashing LED alerts.
A flashing, low battery symbol will indicate critically low battery level.

Rev B | 6 August 2020
Pairing Screen
When ready to pair, the Bluetooth logo will blink in the upper right corner (view document
in presentation mode to see animation)
The “XXXX” in the image above will be replaced by the last 4 hexadecimal digits of the
device’s BLE MAC address. This allows a specific device to be identified when pairing near
other identical units.
The user may exit this screen to modify device settings. The device will continue to be in
pairing mode, as indicated by the flashing Bluetooth icon, until the device has been
paired with.
Settings Menu Screen
At any time from the Main Screen, the user may press the BACK button to enter the settings
menu. The settings menu allows the user to:
-Enter pairing mode (if already connected. Pairing mode is automatically entered when
device is disconnected)
-Adjust backlight intensity
-Adjust contrast of LCD
-Adjust volume of tone alerts
-Change the auto-off delay period
-Display system information (model number/sw version)

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Adjust Backlight, Contrast, and Volume
The backlight brightness as well as the LCD contrast may be adjusted for different ambient
lighting conditions.
The backlight can have 10-20 preset brightness levels. The LCD contrast can have 10 preset
adjustments. A percentage and a bar graph displays the level to the user during adjustment.
The audible tone volume is also adjusted in a similar way, with each adjustment sounding a
tone at the new volume. There are 10-20 adjustment levels, ranging from loud to silent (no
tone).
Change Auto-Off Delay
When a long period of inactivity is detected, the device will automatically power off to
extend batter life between charges. The delay before powering off may be adjusted by the
user to suit their pace of work.

Rev B | 6 August 2020
FCC ID: QFG-SCOUT
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Dow AgroSciences could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is possible to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his/her own expense.