 Cell phones and electrical
devices can interfere with avalanche transceivers. This page contains preliminary advice based on informal testing and the manufactures'
instructions. Do not rely on this information—read your user manual.
Electronic devices (cell phones, radios, headlamps, MP3 players, etc.) can effect transceivers. The electronic devices
affect the searching beacon more than the transmitting beacon.
In search mode, irregular readings and decreased range can also be caused by other sources of electrical interference,
such as power lines, lightning, and electrical generating equipment. Chairlifts also generate background "noise" that can affect
the searching transceiver.
It is preferable to turn off your electronics when transmitting. If it is not practical to turn them off, always keep them
at least a few inches away from your transceiver. Metal objects should also be kept away from your transmitting beacon (e.g.,
pocket knifes, additional transceivers, etc).
When searching, the electronics and metal objects should be further away from your transceiver than when searching. The Tracker
DTS manual says at least 15 cm (6 inches), The Tracker2 manual says at least 30 cm (12 inches), Ortovox says least 30 cm (12 inches), and Barryvox says at least 50 cm (20 inches). My informal
testing leads me to feel that the Tracker2 and Ortovox recommendations of 30 cm (12 inches) is a reasonable minimum. Of course, it is best if you turn the devices
off (which is what most manufactures suggest), but turning off radios and cell phones during a rescue is not always realistic.
Remember that a cell phone that is not being used still transmits a signal to the cell service periodically (I have heard
that this occurs every 3 to 15 minutes).
Some transceivers use a magnetic compass while searching (e.g., Barryvox Pulse
and Ortovox S1). It is especially important that you keep magnetic items away from
these transceivers while searching. Be especially wary of magnetic closures on jackets.
Some transceivers use a magnetic on/off switch. It is possible, although not easy, to turn these transceivers off with
a magnet. This is another reason to avoid jackets with magnetic closures.
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| Barryvox Pulse |
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| Pieps DSP |
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| Tracker DTS |
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| Ortovox S1 |
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