How to Locate a Lost Tag using the Handheld Device

How to Locate a Lost Tag using the Handheld Device

HardTrack has a built in feature to assist you with locating lost Tags. 

It works using the concept of a Giger counter.   The closer you move towards a tag you are attempting to locate, the stronger the RF signal between the handheld that the tag will be, and vice versa.

If you do not already have a project set up that contains the tag you are attempting to locate, you can either set on up on the Desktop and download it to the handheld, or you can create a new project on the handheld and add known tags by clicking on Tag, Add Known Tags:



The project does not have to be saved to Locate a Tag.

Next, highlight the tag you would like to locate by single clicking on it on the handheld, then click on Locate Tag:



Start Locate:


HardTrack will now Ping the Tag every few seconds and display the Signal Strength as well as a growing and shrinking signal strength bar at the bottom:



The signal strength may change a small amount without you moving much as the signal do bounce off of things.  However, as you move closer or further away from the tag, the signal strength will become noticeably stronger or weaker.



With RF signals, a stronger signal is a more positive/less negative number. A signal strength of 0 is absolutely perfect. 
For example:

A signal strength of -101 is a weaker signal than -67. 

A signal strength of -43 is stronger then a signal strength of -68.

The Ping command which is running to provide the Locate Tag function will cause the LED light to flash on the Tag each time it runs, helping you to locate and identify the missing tag.

Once you have located the missing tag, please remember to Stop Locate, as running the Locate Tag will use up remaining battery power in the Tag's onboard battery.






Starting with HardTrack Mobile version 4.0._01.25 - How to Update to the latest release of HardTrack Mobile

HardTrack Mobile will automatically Stop Locate on the tag for you if you tap the screen in any location.

While Locating a tag, if the tag you are attempting to locate cannot be initially found in the area, you will see this message:


If you click on No, Locate Tag will stop, otherwise move to an area or reposition your handheld and click Yes and HardTrack will try to locate the tag again for you.



Happy hunting!