The Trap‑Alert™ System FAQ

A: The Trap‑Alert™ system is a combination of hardware, software, GPS, and wireless technologies that enables animal trappers to actively monitor the status and location of animal traps through a web-based application.

A: The Trap‑Alert™ system uses a subscription website to manage each unit. With the website you can:

• Add your contact information to the unit
• Add the customer's information
• Track the unit on Google Maps with its embedded GPS
• Route all of your jobs on Google Maps (not just the Trap‑Alert™ system jobs)
• Keep a history of job setups and notification messages.
• Monitor trap closures, the battery charge, signal strength, and daily heartbeats, to make sure the unit is still working on days that it does not get triggered.

A: Every Trap‑Alert™ unit subscription with New Frequency includes:

• Notification messages from the Trap‑Alert™ unit when a trap is triggered
• GPS Tracking of your Trap‑Alert™ unit inventory
• Job Routing for ALL jobs with integrated Google Maps. (Not just the Trap‑Alert™ system jobs!)
• Website Management of your Trap‑Alert™ system inventory, including:
  • Low Battery Warnings
  • Signal Strength Indicator
  • Heartbeats every 24 hours to let you know the unit is still functioning
• Job History per Customer
• Message History listed by Job and Unit
• Customizable blackout periods for notifications to avoid alarms in the middle of the night
• Ability to manage your own user logins
• Help and Support from the Trap‑Alert™ system Help Desk

A: Yes, the website is functional with Apple iPhones and Android devices. (New Frequency is working on a mobile version designed for phones and tablets coming soon.)

A: The Trap‑Alert™ unit sensor and magnet can be mounted to almost any trap, as long as the trap operation will move the magnet away from the sensor, or bring it into contact with the sensor. (New Frequency is working on new types of sensors that will not require a magnet and read switch for beaver traps, footholds, and snare traps. Check back soon on availability.)

A: The unit is weather resistant; we do not recommend that the unit be fully immersed in water.

A: Yes. The unit is weather resistant and designed for outdoor use with protection against UVA and UVB rays.

A: Yes the Trap‑Alert™ unit can also count the number of open or closed status changes over time, the website will then record and create a history for the unit for each job.

A: With accessories, yes. You can monitor 4 traps with one Trap‑Alert™ unit at one location using the included 4-port expander cable. You can also use two expander cables to monitor 7 traps with 1 Trap‑Alert™ unit.

A: Seven traps have been hooked up to a single Trap‑Alert™ unit. More may be possible using additional 4-port expander cables, but any setup beyond 7 traps should be thoroughly tested. A disconnect in any one cable, or a missing dummy plug on expander cables not in use, will break the circuit; meaning none of the traps will trigger a notification!

A: The battery can last 45 to 60 days on a single charge. The battery status can be monitored from the website. You will also be notified by email of any Trap‑Alert™ units with a "Low Battery".

A: Only if you want them to. The Trap‑Alert™ system website lets you set up "blackout" periods for notifications. Any alerts during the "blackout" period will not be sent until after the set time.

A: The unit is designed to withstand a certain amount of shock, and when properly used, the Trap‑Alert™ unit should not be directly exposed to trapped animals. In 6 months of field trials, none of the Trap‑Alert™ units were permanently damaged by an animal.

A: Very reliable. The Trap‑Alert™ system website is run on multiple servers with failover in multiple locations.

A: The unit itself should not be mounted directly on a trap in most situations. Only the sensor and the magnet are mounted to a trap. The unit can be set a few feet away from the trap or 100 feet away with multiple connector cables.

A: Status reports that list all of your Trap‑Alert™ units are sent twice daily and the report will display all units that have not connected within 24 hours. In addition to the report, the unit that failed to report in will now appear in the Old Heartbeat Tab on the Home Page. Reports are customizable by New Frequency.

A: Status reports that list all of your Trap‑Alert™ units are sent twice daily. The report includes the "Closed" status. Also, the Opened/Closed status can be checked on the website at any time.

A: Trap‑Alert™ units are designed to use GSM SIM card based networks and will function with most GSM carriers in the world.

A: 10.3 ounces, top dimension 5-1/2" x 3-1/2" and 1-1/2" thick Bottom mounting flange is 7"