Wildlife computers sPAT User manual

v.202301
sPAT User Guide
This user guide will give you all the essential information needed
for interacting with and deploying a Wildlife Computers sPAT.

Page 2
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Table of Contents
Almost Everything You Need to Know About the sPAT ........................................................................................................3
Before you Begin..................................................................................................................................................................................4
Types of Data Received from sPAT................................................................................................................................................5
Tag Release Sequence .......................................................................................................................................................................5
Pinger.......................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Interacting with a Tag ........................................................................................................................................................................7
Configuring Deployment Duration...............................................................................................................................................9
Tag Details & Argos Settings............................................................................................................................................................9
Gathering Tag Information ........................................................................................................................................................... 13
Offline Mode....................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
sPAT Recovery Instructions........................................................................................................................................................... 17
Download your Data ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Tag Storage and Battery Maintenance ..................................................................................................................................... 19
Special Considerations for Longer-term Storage........................................................................................................ 19
Sending Test Transmissions.......................................................................................................................................................... 21
Battery Exercise Routine................................................................................................................................................................. 23
Technical Specifications................................................................................................................................................................. 27
Additional Information................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Contacting Wildlife Computers................................................................................................................................................... 30

Page 3
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Almost Everything You Need to Know About the sPAT
The sPAT is ready to deploy when you take it out of the shipping box. Wildlife Computers preprograms
your sPAT with the desired deployment duration (30, 45, or 60 days) and ships the tag in Auto-Start mode
so it begins its deployment as soon as the sensor hits sea water.
The rest of this user guide is helpful if you are curious about everything sPAT, if you need to change the
deployment duration or release conditions, or if you recover your tag and want to download the archive. If
none of these situations apply to you, you can stop reading here.
In the guide, you will see the yellow icon highlighting information where special attention should be
paid.
The sPAT (also known as a PAT tag or PSAT) is a pop-up archival transmitting tag specifically optimized for
short-term survivorship studies. The sPAT uses a suite of sensors and algorithms to monitor the status of
the tagged animal for up to 60 days. Users can deploy the sPAT on by-catch, fish, shark, rays, skates, eels,
and turtles. The sPAT is designed to be attached to an animal by a
tether. The corrodible burn pin releases the tag from the tether on a
pre-programmed interval (30, 45, or 60 days) or when the sPAT
determines it is no longer attached to an animal. Data transmission
occurs when the tag floats on the ocean surface after it releases from
the tether.
Tags are shipped pre-programmed with default settings and in Auto-
Start mode—the sPAT automatically starts the deployment when
submerged in saltwater. At any time, a single pass of a magnet near
the communication’s port will cause the LED to gradually transition
from bright to dim as confirmation that the tag is in Auto-Start
mode.
Transmitted data will allow you to infer the status of the animal at the time of release. Data generated
during a deployment includes:
•Daily Data for the entire deployment.
oMinimum and maximum temperature and depth readings
oDelta (difference between min and max) light-level for each UTC Day
o10-minute time series depth data for the end of the deployment to help determine the
animal’s fate
•The Argos generated pop-up location.
The sPAT will transmit for approximately three days and the data will show up in your Wildlife Computers
Portal account as it is received.
Figure 1—sPAT tag rigged with a stainless- steel
tether and a
Titanium anchor.

Page 4
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Before you Begin
The list below shows what is required to communicate with the sPAT:
•A Wildlife Computers online portal account.
•A Windows computer with Tag Agent Software and USB driver installed.
•A Wildlife Computers USB communications cable.
•A magnet.
Visit wildlifecomputers.com to download the required software (Tag Agent and the USB Driver) and setup
an account. At the end of this document, there is a list of key terms and concepts for reference. We
recommend inexperienced users review this list.
Anatomy of a Tag
Figures 2 & 3—sPAT tag showing: (a) Argos antenna, (b) temperature sensor, (c) communications port with plug, (d) light sensor (1 of 2),
(e) float, (f) release pin, (g) LED light, (h) wet/dry sensor, (i) ground plate, (j) light sensor (2 of 2), and (k) pressure sensor.
The communications port is where the USB communications cable plugs into the tag. Prior to deployment,
this port should be sealed with the plug provided. Smear a small amount of the silicone grease supplied onto
the sides and bottom of the plug, align the plug and pins, and carefully push the plug into the port. If it
does not align easily with the pins, rotate it 180° and try again. The plug prevents corrosion of the pins
during the deployment; however, the plug is not required for the tag to function normally.
The wet/dry sensor, ground plate, pressure sensor, thermistor, and electronic release pin should
never be covered.
Covering these sensors interferes with the tag’s functionality. This includes antifouling coatings,
brightly colored paints for recovery purposes, and attachment adhesives (e.g., epoxy).

Page 5
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Types of Data Received from sPAT
Daily Data
Daily data messages contain the minimum and maximum temperature and depth readings from the fast-
sampled archive data set, as well as the change in light-level for each UTC Day.
Time Series
The sPAT tag sends ten-minute time series depth data for the end of the deployment. If the tag releases on
the scheduled day, it will send four days of time series depth data. If it is a conditional release (see Tag
Release Sequence section) the tag will send time series depth data for the four days of data prior to the
beginning of the conditional release period plus the entire conditional release period. Each time series
message contains:
•Time series depth data at a ten-minute interval.
•The minimum/maximum values encountered during the time period covered by the
time- series message period.
The absolute Min/Max values and point sample values may not match as the absolute values are
determined from all archived data collected during the message period. This can give insight to the
amount of aliasing that has occurred when generating the time series message.
Time Series Sensor Resolution
Time series sensor resolution will vary for each measurement. All the time series sensor readings have an
associated resolution which is reported in the decoded data. The resolution is dynamically adjusted to
compress the data for transmission.
Tag Release Sequence
The sPAT will be pre-programmed for your desired deployment duration (30, 45, or 60 days). The tag will
begin the release sequence when that specified interval is reached unless a conditional release occurs prior
to reaching the intended duration.
Conditional Release
The sPAT uses sensor measurements to make reasonable assumptions about the state of the deployment.
Depending on your study design and the behavior of your study animal, you can program the tag to
release and begin transmitting if certain conditions are met.

Page 6
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Auto-Detect Tag Detachment
The parameter automatically initiates release if the tag detects itself floating at the surface.
•Select a depth threshold that the tag must exceed before monitoring for detachment. This helps
prevent triggering a conditional release before the tag is attached to its host animal. For example, if
you program a sPAT tag and put it in Start mode using Tag Agent (while tag is attached to your PC)
it will detect constant depth while it is sitting on your desk.
•Select how long the tag must be at the surface before a release will occur. The pin burn will occur
after the specified time has elapsed.
Auto-Detect Mortality
This parameter monitors for three mortality conditions:
•Floater—the tag is floating at the surface (more than 50% of the wet/dry readings for every hour of
the interval is dry, OR if the maximum depth during the premature release interval was <= one
meter).
•Sitter—the tag is sitting at a constant depth.
•Sinker—the tag remains below a certain depth.
Upon satisfying any one of these conditions, the tag automatically initiates release. To monitor for
mortality, configure the following:
•Select a depth threshold that the
tag must exceed before
monitoring for detachment.
•Optionally, select the depth that
the tag must remain below to be
considered a sinker.
•Select the duration—this sets
how long each of the depth
criteria must be maintained
before a release will occur. The
pin burn will occur after the
specified time has elapsed.
•Select the variance—variance is
used here in a statistical sense
(see Figure 3). Be mindful of the tidal activity in your study area.
A tag stuck on the bottom will detect some minor depth changes as the tides change the water
depth. If you choose a range that is too small for local tidal conditions, the tag will not initiate a
conditional release when it is stuck or sitting on the bottom.
Figure 4—Tag release settings.

Page 7
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
The release settings shown in Figure 4 will result in the following:
•The tag will release 30 days after deployment.
•The tag will release if it exceeds ten meters in depth and then meets any of the following criteria:
oStays within four meters (+/- two meters) of a constant depth for more than one day.
oStays deeper than 400 meters for more than one day.
•The tag will release if it reaches a depth of 1700 meters. This ensures that if the tag is sinking it will
not reach its crush depth and become inoperable (this setting is not adjustable).
Release reasons as reported in the tag’s status messages:
•Interval—the tag ran to the configured end of the deployment and the animal survived.
•Pin Broke—the tag sensed the release pin was broken, and the tag found itself floating on the
surface for an extended period. Some external force pulled on the tether and broke the pin.
•Floater—the tag stayed within four meters of a constant depth for more than one day and was dry
for most of the time. For some reason (mortality or attachment failure) the tag has come off the
animal and is floating at the surface.
•Premature—the tag stayed within 4m of a constant depth for more than one day. The tag could be
sitting on the bottom, attached to a dead animal. This could also be a floater, but the tag wasn’t dry
for most of the time. Examine the Depth Time Series data to make final determination.
•Too Deep—the tag detected that it was getting dangerously close to its maximum structural
depth. The animal was dead and sinking or diving to a depth that is too deep for tag. Examine the
Depth Time Series data to analyze sink rate.
Pinger
The pinger is used for tag recovery. The sPAT sends out low power “pings” after release while at the surface.
The tag can be located with an appropriate receiver and directional antenna. The sPAT will ping at a one
second interval for the duration of the Argos transmission period (approximately three days after release).
Interacting with a Tag
The sPAT will be shipped pre-programmed by Wildlife Computers. In the case where you need to change
the deployment duration, release parameters, or if the sPAT is recovered after a deployment, follow the
instructions below to communicate with the tag.
Tag Agent Software is used to communicate with the sPAT. Tag Agent and the USB Driver can be
downloaded from our website: wildlifecomputers.com .
Plug the USB communications cable into the computer and connect to a tag carefully observing the
orientation of the connector pins. The home page will display the Tag Status as Interactive in the lower left
with tag information and sensor readings visible. If tag status remains Disconnected, swipe the magnet
supplied near the communication port on the tag to view the tag in interactive mode.

Page 8
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
If the tag is new or has previously been
programmed by another user, a pop-up box
will appear asking if you wish to take
ownership of the tag. Becoming a tag
administrator gives you the authority to select
and save new settings.
If tag settings have been updated through the
portal using My Tags, a pop-up box will
appear on opening Tag Agent advising that
changes have been made and the tag’s
settings need to be updated.
The Administer Tag button allows you to
modify the settings of the connected tag.
Click the Send Changes button on the left of
the screen to activate these changes.
The Download WCH tab shows a summary of
data on the tag and gives you the option of
downloading the archive and set-up info onto
your local machine.
Figure 5—Tag Agent screen prior to tag connection.
Figure 6—Tag Agent home screen.

Page 9
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Configuring Deployment Duration
To change tag Deployment Duration within Tag Agent, select the Administer Tag button in the upper
menu.
Figure 7—Tag Agent menu bar. Select Administer Tag to edit tag release settings.
A new window will open revealing three sections—Tag Information, Tag Release Sequence, and
Transmission Settings.
Tag Details & Argos Settings
Figure 8—Expanded view of Tag Details tab.
Tag administrators, tagware version, and tag type are displayed on the Tag Details tab. Tag Name is an
optional field which makes a tag or tags easy to find in the Tag Portal using the filter. The Argos Settings tab
displays the tag PTT ID details.
For more information on these terms, reference the Glossary of Terms section at the end of this document.
In the Tag Release Sequence section, you can choose to release the tag 30, 45, or 60 days after the
deployment starts. You can also adjust the Conditional Release settings.

Page 10
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Figure 9—Tag Release Sequence.
Once settings have been chosen, use the blue Send Changes button (or Propose Changes button if working
in Tag Portal) to load settings into tag. Tag Agent will confirm receipt of settings via dialog box. The Check
for Updates tab on the top left navigation bar of Tag Agent home screen can be used at any time to see if
settings updates are available.
Tag States: Start, Auto-Start, and Stop
The sPAT has three states: Auto-Start, Start, and Stop.
1. A tag in Auto-Start mode can be activated by sea water submersion. Wildlife Computers ship
sPATs in Auto-Start.
2. Start mode activates the tag. In Start, data collection is running, and the tag begins
monitoring for its set release condition.
3. Stop mode puts the tag into deep shutdown for storage. The tag will remain unresponsive
unless connected to Tag Agent.

Page 11
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Disconnect from the sPAT
To disconnect from a tag, use the Disconnect Tag tab on the top right navigation bar. Do not simply unplug
the USB communications cable.
The communications port should be sealed with the plug provided. Smear a small amount of the silicone
grease supplied onto the sides and bottom of the plug, align the plug and pins, and carefully push the plug
into the port. If it does not align easily with the pins, rotate it 180° and try again. The plug prevents
corrosion of the pins during the deployment; however, the plug is not required for the tag to function
normally.
Tags in Stop mode need to be connected to Tag Agent through the USB cable to awaken the tag.
LED Blink Patterns
Within Tag Agent, the Disconnect Tag button on the top right navigation bar can be used to put a tag in
any state. Wildlife Computers ships the sPAT in Auto-Start mode.
Once disconnected in Auto-Start:
•At any time, a single pass of a magnet near the communications port will cause the LED to
gradually transition from bright to dim as confirmation that the tag is in Auto-Start mode.
Figure 10—Tag States.

Page 12
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Be aware that your sPAT tag will begin transmitting and deplete the battery if left in Start mode and
not deployed on an animal. If the tag is left in Start mode AND not put back into Auto-Start mode,
the tag will initiate a premature release sequence. We DO NOT recommend keeping the tag in Start
mode while OFF an animal.
Depth sensors are sensitive and nearby radio signals can cause the tag’s depth sensor to “spike.” A
depth sensor “spike” can trigger the tag to think it’s at a deeper depth and depending on the
programming may cause the tag to prematurely satisfy its conditional release parameters. If this
happens, the tag automatically initiates release.
•The LED turns on if the tag gets wet for a few seconds while in Auto-Start mode. After
remaining wet for approximately ten seconds the LED blinks ten times, the archive is erased,
and deployment begins.
oThe reset switch is disabled once the tag has been "mostly wet" for at least one hour—
magnets no longer affect the tag unless the tag is connected to Tag Agent and reset.
•If the tag gets wet while in Auto-Start mode, but not long enough to enter "deploy" mode as
above, the LED gradually goes from bright to dim and remains in Auto-Start mode.
•You can put the tag back Auto-Start mode by swiping it with a magnet within the first hour of
a deployment. You will see the LED come on and gradually transition from bright to dim.
Clearing the sPAT Archive
The archive is cleared automatically when a new deployment is started. The LED will indicate that the tag is
clearing the archive with many rapid blinks. Leave the tag connected until Tag Agent indicates that the
archive has been erased. This may take several minutes. Be mindful of this when selecting the tag state. If a
tag is recovered, be sure to download the data prior to putting it back in Auto-Start or Start mode.
Figure 11—LED Light Pattern.

Page 13
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Gathering Tag Information
Checking Sensor Readings & Transmission Test
The sensor values displayed on the Tag Agent home screen are continuously updated from the tag. Sensor
functionality can be validated by manipulating the sensors as follows:
•Ambient Temperature—responds quickly to warm air blown onto the thermistor
located immediately above the communications port.
•Internal Temperature—this will change slowly as the entire tag changes temperature.
Leaving a tag in a refrigerator for a while will change the value.
•Wet/Dry—connecting a wire from the large rectangular ground plate strap above
the communication port to the metal ring around the base of the antenna (letters i
and h respectively in fig. 2) should change the value from over 200 to less than 20.
•Light-Level—under typical office lighting, covering both light sensors (shiny squares on
opposite sides of tag, letters d and j in fig. 2) with your fingers should drop the value by 20
to 40 counts.
Test Transmission
Under the Advanced button on the top menu there’s an option to Send Test Transmission. When selected,
a pop-up box with transmission values will appear.
Figure 12—Test transmission results.
The Transmit Battery Voltage value will be lower in the pop-up box than on the Tag Agent home screen
because it is measured when the battery is driving a transmission.
The Transmit Current will vary depending on the presence of conductive objects near the tag. It has been
optimized for a tag that is floating in seawater.
Transmit Count is the number of transmissions the tag has made since it was manufactured.
Argos Transmitter Test
The Argos Transmitter test allows for a full system test to confirm that the tag is successfully sending
messages to the Argos satellites. Click on the Advanced Tab then Argos Transmitter Test.

Page 14
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
•Seconds Offset: If you will be testing multiple tags at one time, you can use this parameter to offset
transmissions so the tags will not transmit at the same time.
•Transmit Count: How many times you want the tag to transmit. 120 transmissions at a 60 second
interval will provide a 2-hour test, which is usually enough to coincide with a couple of satellite
passes. Check the satellite passes in your area prior to beginning the test.
•Seconds Apart: The time between each transmission.
•When all the tags are set up and deployed, take them outside where they have a full view of the
sky. For the best results, float the sPATs in a bucket of saltwater.
Upon completion of the Argos Transmitter Test, the tag will be in STOP mode, and you will need to
communicate with it again prior to deploying it.
When the test is complete, verify that the LED light is not on. If the LED light is on, you MUST
communicate with the tag using Tag Agent and manually place the tag in Auto-Start or Stop mode.
Using Tag Portal to Select Settings Remotely
Tag Portal is the cloud-based service offered by Wildlife Computers for remotely selecting tag settings.
Configuring can be done without connecting to your tag. This enables project coordinators to review and
select settings for their associates and programming to be done while tags are in transit, before arrival.
Figure 13—Argos Transmitter Test.

Page 15
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
When logged into your Portal account, a list of the tags which you have administrator power over can be
viewed under the My Tags tab. To select settings, click on the serial number of the tag you wish to
configure or use the pencil icon.
Figure 14—List of tags within Tag Portal. To program select the serial number or pencil icon.
This will open a new window with setting selections. The same programming options are available whether
settings are configured via Tag Portal or from within Tag Agent.
Once settings have been selected in Tag Portal, click the blue Propose Changes. This will save the settings
in the cloud. The next time that tag communicates with Tag Agent (no matter who plugs the tag in), a
dialog box will appear notifying that new settings are awaiting upload.
Multiple set-ups can be published resulting in a queue of configurations awaiting upload. In this case, a
dialog box will reveal a list of the configurations published, when they were selected, and which
administrator chose the settings.
Tag Portal maintains a historic record of tag settings each time changes are uploaded into a tag. The record
is instantly updated so long as an Internet connection is available.
If tags are programed offline, using Tag Agent, the next time an Internet connection is established and Tag
Agent software is open, the record automatically updates.
Offline Mode
Before you can program offline, you must download Tag Agent software and communicate with a tag while
connected to the Internet. You can simulate offline mode by disabling your Internet connection.
What You Need Before You Begin
•A Windows-based computer with Tag Agent software and USB driver installed. Download
both at WildlifeComputers.com.
•A Wildlife Computers Portal account.
•A Wildlife Computers USB communications cable.
•A Magnet.
•One of every tag type (i.e., sPAT, SPOT, SPOT-F, MiniPAT) you are taking in the field.

Page 16
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
While Connected to the Internet
•Open Tag Agent and use the USB cable to connect a tag to your computer.
•Swipe a magnet near the communication port to establish connection. The tag LED will turn on and
the Tag Agent home screen will appear.
•Use the Administer Tag tab to familiarize yourself with the tag setting options.
•Use the Disconnect Tag tab to select the tag state before unplugging.
If you are headed into the field with multiple tag types (i.e., sPAT, SPOT, SPOT-F, MiniPAT, etc.) be
sure to communicate with one of each model while you have an Internet connection.
Using Offline Mode
Working offline is identical to working online. Internet status is displayed in the lower left corner.
If the Internet connection is spotty, it is best to disable the connection entirely. A partial connection
can prohibit settings from loading properly.
Programing Tags
•Open Tag Agent and use the USB communications cable to plug a tag into your computer.
•Swipe a magnet near the communication port to establish a connection.
Figure 15—Internet status.

Page 17
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
•If the tag’s internal clock needs adjusting, a pop-up box will appear along with a Date/Time Picker.
Hint—sometimes the Picker hides in the upper left corner of the screen.
Figure 16—Pop-up boxes for date/time.
•Click the Administer Tag tab and make the required changes to the tag settings.
•Click Send Changes to push settings into the tag. A pop-up box will confirm the new settings have
been applied.
•Use the Disconnect Tag tab to select the tag state before unplugging.
•Restart Tag Agent when the Internet connection is restored so a record of the selected
tag settings will be saved.
Creating Local Templates
You can program a group of tags with the same settings using a local template. Click the Administer Tag
tab and use the Template Manager icon in the upper right corner of the screen to create and apply
templates.
The Send Changes button must be selected after a template is applied to push settings into a tag.
sPAT Recovery Instructions
If the sPAT is recovered after deployment, it is possible that contamination of the communications port
may cause some communication difficulties. The following instructions, in addition to describing how to
recover the data, explain possible problems that might occur during the recovery and how to fix them.
Even if all attempts to communicate with the sPAT fail, your deployment data are probably still in memory,
and can be retrieved by Wildlife Computers.
Figure 17—Pop-up confirming new settings.

Page 18
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Preparation for Post-Deployment Communication
When you recover your sPAT full of valuable deployment data, there are several steps to perform before
attempting to connect it to the USB communications cable. As a precaution, it is advised to have the
following on hand:
•Compressed air in a can
•Electronic contact cleaner, if available
1. Thoroughly dry the sPAT with a paper towel.
2. Remove the rubber communications port protection plug.
3. Blow out any water in the communication port. Make sure the port is clean and dry. Compressed air
in a can works well for this.
Communicating with a sPAT which has saltwater in the communications port will cause the
pins to corrode very fast!
4. Count the number of pins in the communications port. If there are not four pins, one or more have
corroded or broken off. Stop there and send the sPAT to Wildlife Computers, and we will download
your data.
5. Examine the pins in the communications port. If they are rusty or corroded, send the sPAT back to
Wildlife Computers for downloading.
6. If all four pins look clean and golden in color, you can continue and attempt to establish
communications.
7. You may wish to spray some contact cleaner into the communications port as a precaution.
If you can establish a communication connection with the tag, you are now ready to download your data
with Tag Agent.
Download your Data
Use the Download WCH button on the Tag Agent top navigation bar to download SPAT archival data
(Figure 11). You’ll be prompted to save the .wch file to your computer. The file can then be uploaded into
the Data Portal for decoding, analysis, and storage.
Put tag into Stop mode after downloading the data.
Figure 18—Tag Agent menu bar. Select Download WCH to download archived data.

Page 19
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Tag Storage and Battery Maintenance
Proper tag storage and battery maintenance are important to minimize passivation, maintain optimal
battery voltage, and prepare the tags for deployment.
As a standard, sPAT tags ship in “Auto-Start” mode for immediate deployment, unless otherwise specified.
When stored correctly, tags may experience battery life loss of one to two percent for every year of non-
use.
sPAT Storage—Less Than One Month
If your deployment date will be less than one month, simply store the tags in “Auto-Start” mode in a
refrigerator or freezer. Remember to read the pre- and post-deployment checklists to optimize your
deployment.
sPAT Storage—Longer Than One Month
If your deployment date is more than one month away, place the tags in “Stop” mode before storing. Refer
to the Special Considerations for Longer-term Storage section of this User Guide for battery maintenance
while in storage.
To put tags in “Stop” mode, open Tag Agent. In the top menu, click the “Disconnect Tag” tab. Scroll down
to “Stop” and follow the prompts. Tags should be stored in a refrigerator or freezer. Remember to read the
pre- and post-deployment checklists to optimize your deployment.
Special Considerations for Longer-term Storage
sPAT tags can be stored longer than a month, but special care must be taken to avoid battery passivation.
Battery passivation may cause low voltage readings and in extreme cases may compromise the battery. For
this reason, batteries must be exercised.
Exercising Tags with Tagware Version 2.5b and Greater
If your tags are running tagware version 2.5b (or greater), connect to each tag at least three months prior
to deployment and send Test Transmissions in Tag Agent to confirm the Transmit Voltage is 3.3V or
higher.
Figure 19—Example of how to put tag in Stop mode in Tag Agent.

Page 20
The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Confirm your tag’s tagware version on the main Tag Agent screen.
If your tags have a tagware version that precedes 2.5b (for example, 2.4z), return these tags for a
free tagware upgrade. Please contact your Technical Sales Consultant ( [e-mail] ) to
coordinate the return.
Exercising Tags with Tagware Versions Prior to 2.5b
If your tags have a tagware version that precedes 2.5b (e.g., 2.4z), connect to each tag monthly and
exercise the batteries by sending Test Transmissions in Tag Agent.
Figure 21—Location of Tagware version on Tag Agent main screen.