WatchDog 3900 User manual

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Retriever & Pup
Wireless Network
PRODUCT MANUAL
Items 3900, 3901, 3902, 3910, 3910S
3905, 3906, 3907, 3911, 3911S

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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing a WatchDog Retriever & Pups
Wireless Sensor Network.
The WatchDog Retriever & Pups Wireless Sensor Network is a
technologically advanced solution that provides growers the
ability to capture real-time, site-specific data in various
microclimates.
The Wireless Network consists of one Retriever and many
Pups. There are three types of Pups: Sensor Pups, Station
Pups, and Repeater Pups.
Each Sensor Pup within the network is compatible with a
diverse number of sensors and offers flexibility by allowing the
grower to monitor the sensor inputs they care about in the
locations they care about.
Station Pups are compatible with existing WatchDog 2000
Series Weather & Mini Stations and offer the ability to plug in
and transmit the full data set to the end receiver along with data
from other Sensor Pups across the growing environment.
Repeater Pups do not have sensor inputs. They can be used to
provide additional paths to extend the network.
All data acquired by the Pups is transmitted back to the
Retriever—the central point that collects, logs, and transmits the
data.
The communication options are cellular modem, Wi-Fi, direct
connection to PC, and USB flash drive. Communication options
allow for automatic upload of the data to a computer or the web
for further analysis.
Growers can monitor their crops on their computer or
smartphone and make real-time decisions that improve yield
and quality, conserve resources, and increase profits.

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General Overview 4
External Ports 6
Getting Started 8
Setup 9
Configuration 10
Retriever/Pup Operation 18
Installation 20
Data Logging & Storage 24
Data Export 26
Accessories 30
Specifications 31
Power 32
My Network Library 33
Troubleshooting Guide 34
Regulatory Information 35
Updating Firmware 25
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This manual will familiarize you with the features and operation
of your new WatchDog Retriever & Pups Wireless Network.
Please read this manual thoroughly before launching the units.
For customer support or to place an order, call Spectrum
Technologies, Inc. at 800-248-8873 or 815-436-4440,
FAX at 815-436-4460, or e-mail at [e-mail].
www.specmeters.com
Spectrum Technologies, Inc.
3600 Thayer Court
Aurora, IL 60504

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GENERAL OVERVIEW
Wireless Mesh Network
The Retriever & Pups wireless sensor network uses a mesh style
of communication, which allows any Pup within the network to
wirelessly route data from another Pup back to the Retriever.
The size of a network can vary by growing conditions,
topography, and user preference. The mesh network is
constrained to a maximum number of 16 Pups per network at a
distance of 2500 ft (about ½ mile or ¾ kilometer), or less
between Pups, with no more than four hops back to the Retriever
for the most remote Pups.
Pups have the ability to send their sensor data to the Retriever
within minutes of measurement. The data can be sent directly to
the Retriever, which logs the sensor data, or hopping via other
Pups within the mesh network. All Retriever and Pup units are
time synchronized. Because of this, the entire wireless network
can ‘go to sleep’ for periods of time to conserve battery life.
When the network ‘wakes up’, the Pups all communicate to the
Retriever and share any sensor data they have recorded while
the network was sleeping.

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Components
The mesh network is made up of one Retriever and a user-
defined number of Pups. It may include Item #’s 3900, 3901,
3902, 3910, or 3910S using 900 MHz radios or 3905, 3906,
3907, 3911 or 3911S using 2.4 GHz radios.
*Requires firmware: Weather Station ≥ v7.6 (2800 - v3.5), Mini Station ≥ v4.1
Your WatchDog Retriever & Pups package should contain the
following components:
 Product Manual
 Retriever and Pup units (labeled on enclosure & inside)
 USB flash drive, preloaded with Retriever and Pup Launch
Utility software
 USB to 3.5mm Stereo Plug Cable (item 3661U)
Each Retriever or Pup unit should also be accompanied by a
parts box containing the following:
 Antenna & antenna stabilizer sleeve
 6 AA batteries (OR rechargeable battery pack —
3910S/3911S only)
 Mounting bracket
 U-bolt, clamp, and nuts
 Screws (2) for back of unit
 Station connection cable (Station Pup only)
Item Description
3910
Retriever
3910S
Retriever Solar
Receives all data from Pup network and
communicates the data via three options
-USB flash drive
-Direct to PC
-DataScout modem (sold separately)
3900
Sensor Pup
Up to 4 sensor inputs, transmit data to Retriever
(direct or hopping via other Pups)
3901
Station Pup
*Plug in a WatchDog 2000 Series Weather Station
or Mini Station and transmit all sensor data to Re-
triever (direct or hopping via other Pups)
3902
Repeater
Pup
No sensor inputs, serves as a hopping node to
help provide a path for the transmission signal
around obstacles

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EXTERNAL PORTS
Retriever
The Retriever ports are identified in figure 1
1. DC port for power cord (item 3926 or 3927) or DC adapter
to connect solar panel*
2. USB port for external USB flash drive (external memory &
configuration file transfer)
3. 3.5mm stereo port for PC interface cable (item 3661U or
3927)*
4. AUX port for wireless communication connection
(DataScout Cellular or WiFi) or data power cord (item
3927C75)
*To connect a solar panel or PC
direct connection cable, the cable
must pass through the gland before
inserting the bare wires into the DC
adapter terminals. Tighten the two
terminal screws using a small
screwdriver to secure the wires.
RED - positive (+)
BLACK - negative (-)
1
2
3 4
Figure 1. Retriever External Ports

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Sensor Pups
With the Sensor Pup, any WatchDog environmental sensor can
be connected to any port.
Station Pups
The Station Pup is shipped
with a cable with 2 modular
connectors. One end plugs
into the weather station’s
“AUX” port. The other end
plugs into the Station Pups
“Aux2” port. The Aux1 port
is not used.
Aux1 Aux2

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Get your wireless network running in the following nine steps.
 Use the My Network Library planning tool inside (p. 33) to
plan the configuration and layout of your Pups
(recommended)
 Find a tutorial video online at www.specmeters.com/videos/
GETTING STARTED
Power-up
Retriever
Retriever
should be in
Setup mode
(flashing
amber)
Connect its
antenna
Put batteries in
Pups
They will join the
Retriever’s network
(3 green flashes)
Open launch
software or
power up
DataScout
RPLU program
loaded on USB flash
drive or on Spectrum
website
Configure
units
Use RPLU or
SpecConnect
Save to
Retriever
Save settings from
RPLU or Spec-
Connect
Deploy
Retriever
Place in a position to
achieve line-of-sight
communication to
nearest Pups
Deploy
Pups
Check signal
strength (2-
second press)
at their desired
locations.
Adjust as
necessary
Change to
Active mode
Return to Retriever
and switch mode (2-
second press)
pg. 9
pg. 9
pg. 10
pg. 10-17 pg. 10-17
pg. 21 pg. 22
pg. 21-22
Connect to PC
or DataScout
Use USB cable
and PC port on
Retriever
pg. 10

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Setup
Installing the Retriever & Pup Launch Utility software (RPLU)
The installation program is available on the USB flash
drive that shipped with the Retriever and on the
Spectrum website. Run the RPLU setup.exe file to
install the launch utility. The RPLU desktop icon (right)
can then be used to open the program.
Powering Up and Syncing the Retriever and Pups
Follow these steps to set up the Retriever and Pups wireless
network.
1. Verify that all the Retriever and Pup units
are on the same channel by checking the
Network Channel Selection switch. If not,
use a screwdriver to change the channel
selection. If using multiple wireless
networks, each network should use a
unique channel.
2. Attach the antenna only to the Retriever.
3. Install batteries in the Retriever. The LED will flash green
while powering up. Following power-up, the Retriever should
be in Setup mode (flashing amber). If it isn’t, hold Retriever’s
button for 2 seconds.
4. Put the Pups within proximity of the Retriever and power
them up by installing the batteries. The LED will flash green
several times. They will automatically broadcast a request to
join the Retriever’s network following power-up. This is
indicated by several amber flashes (request to join) followed
by 3 quick, green flashes (successful reply). If the Pups don’t
automatically join within one minute, hold the Pup’s button for
8 seconds to manually join. The Retriever’s amber flash
sequence will accelerate. The Pup’s connection status can
also be seen in the RPLU software (p. 10)
5. See Configuration (pg. 10 - 17) for details on configuring
Retrievers, Sensor Pups, and Station Pups. Configuration
can be done with RPLU software. Retrievers connected to a
DataScout modem can also be configured with the
SpecConnect web utility.

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A Pup can be configured by connecting directly to a PC, a USB
flash drive, or the SpecConnect web portal. The flash drive is
used when adding a Pup to a previously configured system that
is already in the field.
Configuration via Direct Connection to Retriever
If the Retriever is not in Setup mode (amber light flashing
continuously), hold the button for 2 seconds (see Retriever/Pup
Operation, pg. 18). Connect the Retriever to a Windows
computer using the USB to 3.5mm stereo plug cable (item
3661U, included). Open the RPLU program using the desktop
icon.
1. Upon start-up, the RPLU will automatically recognize any
COM ports on your computer. If the Retriever doesn’t
automatically connect, select the COM port of the USB serial
cable and click the “Connect” button to establish communication
to the Retriever. If the list includes more than one COM port, you
can check in your computer’s Device Manager or simply go
through them one by one.
2. From the Retriever Settings screen (fig. 2), set the Retriever
parameters. The Retriever’s name is entered in the text box.
The logging interval is selected from the dropdown menu.
Entering latitude and longitude is optional. These can be entered
in decimal or Degree/Minute/Second format.
CONFIGURATION
Figure 2. Retriever Settings Screen

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3. A list of Pups will be visible on the Retriever settings screen.
Verify that the Pups are communicating with the Retriever. When
a Pup becomes active, the battery and signal icons will change
from gray to colored.
4. Clicking a Configure button will bring up Settings screen for
that specific Pup (fig. 3). The Pups settings screens can also be
brought up by clicking on the Pups tab.
5. Set the Pup’s parameters in the Pup Settings screen. The Pup’s
name is entered in the text box. The type is automatically
determined from the Pup’s serial number. Entering latitude and
longitude is optional. These can be entered in decimal or Degree/
Minute/Second format. Select the sensor type from the drop down
menu for each port. Select up to 4 channels per port using the
toggle buttons (see Data Logging & Storage, p. 24). Note that
most Pup stations have most sensors pre-defined.
6. To configure additional Pups, select each serial number in turn
from the “Pup Serial Number “dropdown menu on the Pup setting
screen. Alternately, you can select a Pup from the list on the
Retriever settings screen (see step 3).
7. Once the Retriever and all Pup units are set, click the “Save To
Retriever” button. The Retriever will wirelessly send the settings to
the Pups.
Figure 3. Pup Settings Screen

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8. Go to the Sensor Pup Current Data tab to verify the expected
data parameters are coming in from each pup. If a sensor is not
connected, a dash will be displayed in the Data Value column.
For Station Pups, the
current condition can
only be seen in the
Pups tab.
The Retriever can now be disconnected from computer.
Configuration via USB Flash Drive
The Retriever configuration can be stored to a flash drive and
transferred to a Retriever in the field. The configuration process is
similar to the one for the direct PC connection except the
Retriever and Pup information must be entered manually.
1. Insert the flash drive into the PC and
bring up the RPLU software. Open the
“File” menu (fig. 4).
2. If a configuration for the desired
Retriever is already stored on the flash
drive, click the “Open Configuration”
option to modify that configuration.
Skip to step 5.
3. For new setups, click the “New
Configuration” option to configure a new
Retriever. This will bring up the “Start a
New Configuration” screen. Enter the
serial number for the Retriever and click
“OK”.
4. In the Retriever Settings screen,
click the “Manually Add New Pup”
Button. This will bring up the “Add a
Pup to Retriever Configuration”
screen. Enter the serial number for
the Pup and click “Add”. Repeat this
process for all Pups.
Figure 4. RPLU File
menu

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5. The Pup(s) will appear in the Retriever Settings screen and as
an option in the Pup Settings screen. Begin the process as in
step 3 of the configuration for a directly connected Retriever (p.
10). When all Pups have been configured, click the “Save
Configuration As” option from the File menu (fig. 4). The program
will bring up a browser screen. Save the configuration to the root
directory of the flash drive. The configuration file will have the
name setup.txt.
Eject the flash drive from computer. In the field, put the Retriever
in Setup mode by pressing the button for 2 seconds (LED will
flash amber). Plug the flash drive into the Retriever. Initiate the
transfer of configuration settings with a short press of the button
(see Retriever/Pup Operation, pg. 18).

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Configuration via the SpecConnect Web Portal
1. Log in to your account at www.SpecConnect.net.
2. Open the Retriever configuration page by
clicking the “Equipment” option in the upper left
corner. Click on the “Configure” button for the
Retriever to bring up the Configure WatchDog
screen.
3. In the “Configure Retriever” screen (fig. 5), set the Retriever
parameters. The latitude, longitude & altitude (optional) can be
keyed in. Alternately, if the pindrop icon is clicked, a map image
will be displayed that allows you to locate the device. The logging
interval is how often a Pup sends data to the Retriever. The
Upload interval is how often the DataScout reports records to
SpecConnect. In most installations, it is recommended for the
logging interval to match the upload interval. See Data Logging
& Storage (p. 24) for details on the logging and web upload
intervals. Click “Save” to store any changes.
4. Return to the equipment list and open the first Pup
configuration page.
Figure 5. SpecConnect Retriever Configuration Screen

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5. In the “Configure Sensor Pup” screen (fig. 6), set the Pup
parameters. The latitude, longitude & altitude (optional) can be
keyed in. Alternately, if the pindrop icon is clicked, a map image
will be displayed that allows you to locate the device. See Data
Logging & Storage (p. 24) for details on setting the data
channels. Click “Save” to store any changes. Repeat for all Pups.
6. The configuration will be sent to the DataScout modem which
communicates the settings to the Retriever.
Figure 6. SpecConnect Pup Configuration Screen

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Configuring Weather Station Connected to a Station Pup
WatchDog 2000-series stations used with a Station Pup must be
configured* with SpecWare Pro software or with the WatchDog
Configuration Utility.
 Requires SpecWare Pro v9.6 or later, update online at
www.specmeters.com/updates/
 Minimum firmware requirements
Configure the WatchDog mini or full weather station using Spec9
Pro by following the steps below:
1. Connect the WatchDog mini or weather station to a PC.
2. In Specware 9 Pro, open the WatchDog Properties using the
WatchDog Manager or the ‘Launch/Set Properties for 1000 or
2000 Series’ button. In the WatchDog Configuration Utility, click
the “Configure” button.
3. Enter the name, logging interval, and sensor configuration
4. Set Repeat-Transmit Interval to Send Log Data at Log
Interval.
5. For mini stations set Format to 4 Text (RP/SC).
6. For full weather stations set Format to 5 Text (RP/SC).
7. Save the settings by clicking ‘OK’.
Weather station (except model 2800) v 7.6
2800 Weather Station v 3.5
Mini Station v 4.1
* No configuration is necessary if only the internal sensors are
used.

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8. Connect the 2000-series station to the Station Pup using the
provided cable.
9. The 2000-series station will send its logged data to the Station
Pup at the selected interval and the Station Pup will send this log
to the Retriever as part of the wireless network. This can be
confirmed by connecting the Retriever to the Retriever & Pup
Launch Utility. The latest data record will appear in the Pups tab
under the Station Pup’s serial number. These values are
updated every time the station logs a new data record.

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Retriever/Pup Operation
The LED on the Retriever or Pup is used to convey information
about the status and functioning of each device. The small red
button can be used to request most of this information. For
Retrievers, the button can also be used to prompt the device to
perform certain actions. A label summarizing these features is
affixed to the inside door of the device. These are explained in
greater detail below.
Retriever
The Retriever operates in one of two modes; Setup and Active. In
Setup mode, the Retriever interacts every 20 seconds with the
Pups. Therefore, information will be sent to, and received from,
the Pups more quickly. This mode is used when configuring the
system or when troubleshooting. This mode is indicated by a
flashing amber LED. While in Active mode, the Retriever and
Pups communicate every 5 minutes. This longer communication
interval is used to conserve battery life. To switch between Active
mode and Setup mode, press and hold the button for two
seconds. The LED will initially blink slowly but transition to rapid
amber flashing when the unit is in the new mode.
Retriever configuration and data transfer can be done with the
Retriever & Pup Launch Utility (p. 10), the SpecConnect Web
Portal (p. 14), or a USB flash drive (p. 12). If the Retriever is in
Setup mode, a short button press will instruct the Retriever to
read a USB flash drive for new configuration settings. If the
Retriever is in Active mode, a short button press will initiate two
actions; 1.) The LED will briefly indicate the battery strength and
2.) Any new data will be offloaded to the flash drive (see Data
Export - USB Flash Drive, pg. 26).
The Retriever will periodically flash green when it communicates
with the network of Pups. These green flashes will occasionally
overlap with other LED indications. The explanation of the
different LED colors is shown in figure 7.

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Figure 7. Retriever button and
LED information label.
Figure 8. Pup button and LED
information label.
Pup
The red button on the Pup is used for in-field diagnostics. A short
press requests the battery strength. Pressing and holding for 2
seconds, until the LED turns on, prompts the Pup to indicate if it
has optimal communication with network. If the Pup does not
have desirable signal strength, find another location to deploy the
Pup or follow the recommendations in Installation (pg. 20). The
requested status is indicated by the LED. The explanation of the
different LED colors is shown in figure 8. Additionally, the LED on
the Pup will flash green when it is receiving data from the
Retriever and amber when it is transmitting data to the Retriever.
These green flashes will occasionally overlap with other LED
indications.
Factory Reset
To issue a factory reset to either the Retriever or Pup units,
disconnect power and power-up the unit while holding the button
for 8 seconds, until the LED flashes red & green. Pups must
rejoin the network after disconnecting power, see instructions
above. If a Retriever is factory reset, the configuration of the unit
must be re-sent using the RPLU or SpecConnect (see Setup,
pg. 9)

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INSTALLATION
The Retriever and Pups will function optimally when the units are
placed in a condition that allows direct line-of-sight. The optimum
signal will occur when the football-shaped Fresnel Zone is clear
of obstructions such as hilly terrain, foliage, and structures.
 The recommended clearance above crop height is at least 3
feet (1 meter). Higher installations give better performance.
 The maximum range between Pups is 2500 ft (about ½ mile
or ¾ kilometer) for 900 MHz and 300 m for 2.4 GHz. The
most remote Pup should not exceed 4 hops back to the
Retriever.
To achieve line-of-sight communication when obstructions are
present, we recommend using:
 Repeater Pups (item 3902/3907, see Components, pg. 5)
 Route communication around obstructions
 Antenna extensions (Item 3925 see Accessories, pg. 30)
 Route communication above obstructions and allow
unit to be lower to ground, giving better access to
sensor ports and batteries.