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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I Get a Copy of Instruction Manual Online?

    Instruction Manual for Model with Serial Number beginning with the letter "Q" follows:

    POCKET PAGER INSTRUCTIONS

    Installing Pager Batteries

    Remove Pager Battery Cover. Pocket Pager is white with belt clip on back. After securely installing two AAA Batteries you will hear one long beep.  Make sure positive (+) and negative (-) poles are installed correctly (as indicated in battery compartment). 

    You are now ready to turn Pager “ON”.  Per below, hold ON/OFF button down for a few seconds until you see “ON” on display screen and release button.
    When the Pager is “ON” the LED will flash once every 10 seconds so you know Pager is on. 

    Pager has range of up to 1 + miles clear line of sight from Transmitter depending on terrain and obstructions.

    The Pager picks up Transmitter signal during the brief LED flash every 10 seconds.

    Coding memory will be retained when batteries are removed.

    ON/ OFF

    ON Press On/Off button once
    for about 2 seconds
    (Display will show “On”) One-long beep
    LED will blink every 10 seconds when on
    OFF Press On/Off button once for about 5 seconds
    (Display will show “Off“) Two-short beeps
    LED will not blink

    NOTE:  WHEN TURNING OFF PAGER HOLD BUTTON UNTIL YOU SEE “OFF” ON PAGER DISPLAY SCREEN.  WHILE HOLDING BUTTON DOWN YOU WILL SEE “CODE”, DO NOT RELEASE BUTTON UNTIL YOU SEE “OFF”.  IF YOU RELEASE BY ACCIDENT WHILE “CODE” IS DISPLAYED, SIMPLY HOLD ON/OFF BUTTON DOWN TO EXIT CODING MODE UNTIL SCREEN IS BLANK.  YOU CAN THEN TURN OFF PROPERLY PER ABOVE.

    Receiving Alarms on Pager

    1. When a Transmitter sends a signal to the Pager after 13-second delay, Pager will light up for 40 seconds to show signal has been received.  The Pager during this time is processing the multiple informational signals from Transmitter.  Pager determines whether transmission is from a Breeder Alert Transmitter (sometimes a signal may be picked up from a garage door/gate opener).  Pager will reject unknown transmissions.  This is why the 40 -second processing time is important and also because of the extended range of the System.

    2. The Pager will beep for 2 minutes until acknowledged.  Press Pager On/Off button briefly to acknowledge signal.  Pager will stop beeping and return to stand-by mode, pager will continue to blink when on.

    3.  If Pager lights up but does not beep at end of 40 seconds, you may have accidently gotten in to the coding mode.  To clear, simply remove both Pager batteries, hold ON/Off button down when putting batteries back in until you hear 5 beeps (this resets Pager back to factory setting).  Now make sure Pager is on and ready to receive signals from Transmitter.

    4. If signal is ignored Pager will continue to beep through above cycle and then once every 60 seconds for 30 minutes to remind user that an alarm was received and ignored.  Press Pager button to acknowledge.

    5. Pager LED display will show Transmitter ID for easy identification.
    a. “A” to indicate a real Alarm from Transmitter
    b. “C” to indicate a Transmitter Manual Test Button Alarm

      Alert Type (“A” or “C”)        Transmitter ID (00-99)

    NOTE:  Replace batteries at least once a month depending on usage.  Low batteries will affect
    Transmitter operation.  Better to be safe than sorry.

    ***Low Battery Indicator:  Pager will send “3-short beeps” when battery is low. LED Display will show [“bAt”] and beep, until batteries are replaced***
    IF BATTERIES GET TOO LOW TO DISPLAY “bAt” YOU MAY HEAR A CHIRPING SOUND AND NEED TO CHANGE BATTERIES.

    TRANSMITTER INSTRUCTIONS

    Remove Transmitter Battery Cover and securely install two AAA batteries. Transmitter is in black case. Make sure positive (+) and negative (-) poles are installed correctly (as indicated in battery compartment). 

    The Breeder Alert System has signal going directly from Transmitter on Mare to Breeder Alert Pocket Pager with range up to 1 + mile.

    When testing Transmitter or placing Transmitter in pouch, Breeder Alert label is always on top (facing sky or mare’s jaw).

    Red LED will light when Transmitter is tiilted on long side/edge of Transmitter case (left or right) simulating mare laying down. Remember, Breeder Alert label is always facing up towards sky/mare’s jaw.

    When testing Transmitters and Pagers, test about 30 feet between Pagers and Transmitters.  Since the transmission signal is so strong in Transmitter, you do not want Transmitters too close to Pager when testing.  Best when tested with a wall in between.

    The Transmitter is now ready to send signals to Breeder Alert Pocket Pager.  When tilting to a transmitting position, red LED light will come on. After 13 second delay, Transmitter will flash 3 times.  Signal has now been sent to Pager.

    When a Transmitter sends a signal to the Pager after 13-second delay, Pager will light up for 40 seconds to show signal has been received.  The Pager during this time is processing the multiple informational signals from Transmitter.  Pager determines whether transmission is from a Breeder Alert Transmitter (sometimes a signal may be picked up from a garage door/gate opener).  Pager will reject unknown transmissions.  This 40 -second processing time is important for Pager to process signal and also because of the extended range of the System.

    TRANSMITTER ID

    Each Transmitter is pre-coded with its own ID number.  You can add up to to 20 Transmitters per system. Transmitter ID will be displayed on Pager when alarm is received (ie., “12” for Transmitter coded as 12).  If you forget the ID code for a particular Transmitter, you can manually send a signal from Transmitter to Pager (see below). Transmitter ID will be displayed on Pager. Transmitter ID is also inside of battery cover.  When ID is displayed on Pager, this lets you know which mare is sending alarm.

    Transmitter Signals

    When Transmitter is in a transmitting position, the LED on Transmitter will light within a couple of seconds and stay on for 13 seconds. After the 13-second delay, LED will blink 3 times quickly. This indicates signal has been sent to Pager. This 13-second delay prevents receiving unwanted alarms.

    NOTE:  If mare remains flat out to sleep or rest, initial alarm will be sent. After initial cycle, one more alarm will be sent. Transmitter will then shut off so you do not continue to receive alarms while she is resting/sleeping.  System resets automatically when mare raises her head to a non-transmitting position.  Always check mare when alarm is received to confirm if resting/sleeping or foaling.  Most mares will not lie flat out that close to foaling.

    APPROXIMATE TRANSMITTER ANGLES OF TRANSMISSION:

    Transmitter @ 55~110 degrees angle tilted to the right

    Transmitter @ 55~110 degrees angle tilted to the left

    RANGE TEST

    Transmitting range from Breeder Alert Transmitter to Pocket Pager is up to 1+ Mile.  Large hills and valleys may affect range.

    Before placing Transmitter on Mare, test range on your property.  Have someone take Transmitter and someone take Pocket Pager and test in different locations to make sure you can receive signals from areas needed.

    There are two ways to manually test:

    1. Tilt Transmitter to a transmitting position for 13 seconds until LED goes out and LED flashes 3 times. When LED goes out the signal is sent to Pocket Pager.

    2. Each transmitter has a Test Function Button (located below LED) that will transmit a special manual alarm. This special alarm will be received by all Pagers and pre-fixed with a “C” to indicate that the alarm was a manual test. 
    To trigger this function, the Test Function Button must be held down for 5 seconds until LED goes out and flashes 3 times.  Signal is then sent to Pager.  This can be used for testing or manaully alerting Pager carriers.

    Placing Transmitter/Pouch on Mare

    After Range Test you are ready to place Transmitter in pouch.

    1. Open pouch and slide Transmitter - label side up, into pouch (if label is facing ground it is upside down).  It does not matter which short end is facing mare’s neck or nose.
      
    2. Pouch easily attaches under halter’s connecting strap (strap under jaw connecting noseband to throat latch).  Wrap flap of pouch over top of halter connecting strap and around pouch again to secure to halter.  Transmitter in pouch will be positioned under halter connecting strap (ground side) with Label on Transmitter facing up towards mare’s jawline.  Use halter with stationary connecting strap (halter that does not have rings connecting the strap to nose band or throatlatch) so Transmitter follows movement of horse’s head.

    3. See Pouch picture and how to slide Transmitter in Pouch below:

    NOTE:  Replace batteries at least once a month depending on usage.  Low batteries will affect
    Transmitter operation.  Better to be safe than sorry.

    If the batteries in the Transmitter are getting low, the LED will flash once every 20 seconds to indicate that the batteries need to be changed for best performance. However, the device will still operate, just at a reduced range.

    When not using Transmitter, lay flat with label facing up so batteries will not drain.  When put away for season, be sure to remove batteries for storage so corrosion does not occur.

    Transmitter In Flat Horizontal Non-Transmitting Position (label on top):

    The “SPRING” sound you may hear in the Transmitter is a small Antenna and is normal.

    If you have a mare that “plays” in water, you can place Transmitter in baggie provided or easily wrap in saran wrap.  We very very rarely have water damaged units.

    If you have neighbors near by using the same model Breeder Alert, you may pick up their Transmitter signal because of our extended range.  If so, please see Pager/Transmitter Coding Option. Only about 1% or less of Breeder Alert users will need to utilize this option.

    PAGER/TRANSMITTER CODING OPTION

    This option allows you to Program Your Pager/s To Only Accept Your Transmitter Signals.
    You only need to use this option if you have a nearby neighbor within range that has this same system and you don’t want to pick up their Transmitter signals. 

    This feature will be needed by less than 1% of our customers. Most likely you will not have to use this option.

    This option is only necessary if you have a neighbor within range of your Pocket Pager who also has this same Breeder Alert Model.  If this is not the case, you can skip these Instructions.

    This feature prevents your Pager from picking up their Transmitter signals.  You will know if this option is needed if you receive an alarm on your Pocket Pager with an unknown Transmitter ID#.

    There are two ways to locate Transmitter ID#:

    1. Tilt Transmitter to a transmitting position for 13 seconds until LED goes out, Transmitter will then flash 3 times. When LED goes out the signal is sent to Pocket Pager.  Pager picks up signals during the brief LED flash. Transmitter ID# will be shown on Pager display after the 40-second processing cycle.

    2. Transmitter ID# is also on label inside of Transmitter battery cover.

    Programing Transmitter to your Pager: 

    *  Turn Pager “ON” (Pager LED blinks every 10 seconds when on).
    *   Hold “On/Off” button on for 3 seconds and “CODE” will be displayed.  Release button.
    *    Pager is now in programming menu.
    *    Display will show “01.- -“  (01 indicates position #1 to enter 1st Transmitter ID #. ).
    *    Hold “ On/Off” button for 3 seconds, the “.” between “01” and
    “- -“ will start blinking.
    *     You are now ready to enter your Transmitter ID #.  Briefly press and release “On/Off” button until you reach your ID #.
    *      Press “On/Off” button for 3 seconds to save entry.
    *      To add a second Transmitter ID#, briefly press and release the “On/Off” button and Display will show “02.- -“ (02 indicates position #2 to enter 2nd Transmitter ID#)
    *       Hold “On/Off” button for 3 seconds, the “.” between 02 and “- -“ will start blinking.
    *       You are now ready to enter your Transmitter ID #.  Press and release “On/Off” button until you reach your ID #.
    *       Press “On/Off” button for 3 seconds to save entry.
    *       Repeat above steps until all of your Transmitter ID#’s have been entered.
    *       To exit, hold Pager button down until you see a blank display screen.

    You can enter up to 20 Transmitter ID #’s if needed.

    If you order an Additional Transmitter at a later date, be sure to code to Pager only if you are using the Coding mode. 

    Remember, you will not need to use this feature unless you receive transmissions from your neighbor.

    NOTE: These coding settings will remain even if the batteries are removed or replaced.

    Factory Reset

    Each Pager can easily be reset to factory settings by holding the On/Off button down when installing the batteries. The reset will be acknowledged by 5 short beeps, release button. After the reset, the pager will function normally and will receive all Transmitter signals.

    NOTE: The factory reset will clear all coding settings that have been programmed into the Pager.

    If Pager receives Transmitter signal and lights up but does not beep, use this reset to return Pager to factory setting.  This may be needed if you accidently got in to the coding mode.

  • Do you have a Warranty?

    Breeder Alert® has a Two Year Warranty on Parts and Labor.

  • Are you associated with the other halter monitors?

    No, Breeder Alert® is the ORIGINAL halter foaling monitor and has been around longer than any other halter foaling monitor in the U.S. (since 1979). Other halter monitors in the U.S. are designed after older Breeder Alert® models and are in no way affiliated with us. 

  • How long do these systems last?

    There are units sold over 30 years ago still in use today!

  • What type of batteries do I need for my system?

    Transmitter and Pager each powered by 2 AAA batteries. Main Unit plugs into AC power. If you do not have a power source or in the event of electrical power outage, you can attach a 12V Battery with Alligator Clips supplied with System. Our older systems used to have a back up battery in Repeater. We have found over the years attaching a 12V Battery, when needed, is a better option for our customers so you don't ever have to worry about replacement repair costs.

  • How many Transmitters & Pagers can I use with my system?

    There is no limit on the number Pagers used per system. Up to 20 Transmitters can be used per system if you have more than one mare foaling at a time as long as they are used within range of the Breeder Alert® Repeater. Additional Transmitters and Pagers can be ordered at any time and coded easily on site. New feaure allows you to see on Pager LED Display which Transmitter/mare is sending alarm so you can determine which Mare is in foaling position.

  • Can system be used on miniature horses?

    Breeder Alert® has been used successfully for over 30+ years on miniatures on up to Draft horses. Our Transmitter size is only 2.7" x 1.9" x .6" and attaches easily and securely to mare's halter below jaw.