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In general, the transponder will read the meter and transmit to the data collector 2 - 4 times per 24 hours.
How often are readings sent from the data collector?
Data collection is usually done once per day in the early morning.
What does the radio transponder look like?
The following pictures show the two brands of FCC licensed radio transponder that ABT installs.
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Where are the transponders located?
Typically under the home, but for some metal skirted homes it may be mounted on the exterior for better signal strength.
On the daily reads posted to your web site what does 000::81 mean?
This is an error code from a Neptune meter when there is a wiring error. This error may be caused by a loose
connection, a staple through the wire connecting the MTU and the meter, or a short in the register.
It could also be a short in the MTU, however this is very rare.
What are Anomalous Reads?
A read is considered anomalous when the reading received contains something other than pure numbers
(e.g., a reading of "0001?4" is anomalous). Anomalous reads occur when a dial is between two digits.
This happens occasionally and is usually self-correcting.
What is low signal strength?
The data collection unit calculates the signal-to-noise ratio of the incoming signals, and the values range from -1 to -150.
This value is returned as an RSSi value (i.e., "Received Signal Strength Indicator"). The closer the number is toward zero,
the stronger the signal. Any numbers less than -115 are considered weak by the manufacturer. If you experience problems
getting the reads from these boxes, the manufacturer recommends either moving the transponder or adjusting the DCU
antenna to get a better signal.
Will these devices interfere with my phone or TV?
No, they have been assigned a unique frequency from the FCC which is different from general consumer radio products.