Motus supports two types of uniquely coded radio transmitters: NanoTags™ manufactured by Lotek Wireless Inc, operating on frequencies 166.380 MHz (Western Hemisphere), 150.100 MHz (Europe), and 151.500 MHz (Australia), and LifeTag™ and PowerTags™ manufactured by Cellular Tracking Technologies (CTT) operating on 434 MHz globally. The two tags use fundamentally different transmission and coding systems.
Tags range in size from ~0.2 g to ~2.6 g, and lifespans vary from 20 days to infinity, depending on the model. It is important to check the Motus Receiver Map to confirm which frequency other stations/antennas are operating on throughout the network. When communicating with Lotek or CTT, be sure to explicitly state that you want your tags/system to be compatible with Motus. Be sure to review our Motus Tag Guide in detail. Please contact Motus, or the tag providers above for more information.
All tags MUST be registered with Motus prior to deployment!
Register a Motus user. Collaborators wishing to deploy tags must first register with Motus.
Join or create a project. A Motus project is required before purchasing and registering Motus tags. In order for tags to be detected using the Motus network, they must be registered to a Motus project.
Purchase and Register Tags: When ordering tags, provide the manufacturer with your Motus project ID.
Register an anticipated tag deployment: this is a required for battery-powered tags to be detected by our system. You can add multiple tag deployments by using our Tag Deployment Bulk Editor. For more information about tag metadata and how deployments are used to detect tags, see Tag Metadata. Data from these tags will not be processed without a deployment.
Deploy tags. Several techniques exist to deploy Motus tags and more are being developed and tested. This document provides instructions for affixing tags to a variety of species. If your group uses different methods, or have any additional information, please contact Motus.
Battery-powered tags must be activated and confirmed to be ON and emitting the expected ID before deployment.
Before deploying tags, ensure all stations you rely on are working and any stations nearby your tagging site are detecting your tags.
Not sure which tags to get? Review our tag selection guide.
In some specific cases tags may have to be registered manually. For instructions on manual registrations, see Tag Registration
The technology behind Motus is relatively inexpensive and highly customizable. The sections below provide resources for building and deploying receiving stations. For more information about station deployment, see our Motus Station Guide.
For assistance with the setup of your project please see our Discussion Group, Troubleshooting Guide or contact us.
Contact Motus for a list of potential suppliers near you.
Register a Motus user. Collaborators wishing to deploy tags must first register with Motus.
Join or create a project. In order to manage stations in the Motus network, a project must be created.
Purchase equipment. Make sure you get the right equipment for the types of tags you wish to detect
Upload data to Motus. Depending on the location and type of receiver, it may be possible to upload data to Motus automatically.
Tags MUST be registered with Motus prior to deployment!
See Appendix C for parts lists, pictures, and descriptions
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Collaborators
Any person who uses Motus for research, education, or otherwise
Receiver
A computer designed to receive radio signals
Receiver deployment
Describes a single setup of a receiver station. This includes information such as: number, types, directions, and heights of antennas; location of station, receiver listening frequency, computer serial numbers, type of antenna mounting structure. Deployments are registered on Motus.org.
Station
Encompasses all receiver deployments at a single location.
Coax
Coaxial cable, typically used to connect antennas to receivers.
CTT
Cellular Tracking Technologies (i.e.; one of the companies that makes tags and receivers).
Lotek
One of the companies that makes tags and receivers.
Antenna mount
The part which connects the antenna to the mounting structure. Typically a metal plate with U-bolts.
Antenna mounting structure
Usually a mast, but can be anything imaginable, such as a guard rail, a tree, or a wall.
Mast
A structure used to mount antennas. Typically a metal pipe and often telescopic (pop-up), such as the 20A and 50A masts.
Tripod
A three-legged structure used to support a mast. Usually 10-feet (3 m) tall (TRM-10L).
Angle iron
Can be steel or aluminum. Angled piece of metal typically used to affix solar panels to tripods.
Mast collar
A ring around the mast typically used to affix guy lines.
DMX
A triangular tower structure used for more permanent installations. Usually requires a concrete footing or a building for support.
Non-penetrating Roof Mount
A type of mast mount which does not require anchoring. Typically used on flat roofs. See non-penetrating roof mounts.
SensorGnome
Open source receiver developed at the Phil Taylor Lab, Acadia University.
CTT SensorStation
Receiver made by Cellular Tracking Technologies
Lotek SRX
SRX-series receiver made by Lotek Wireless Ltd.
Tag
A radio transmitter made by Lotek or Cellular Tracking Technologies.
Tag deployment
The time period of when a tag was activated and in the field.
Motus Network
A collaborative network of receivers, transmitters, partners, and researchers which use radio telemetry to study animal movement.
Galvanic Corrosion
When two dissimilar metals meet in a corrosive electrolyte (salt water), the more reactive metal will corrode much more quickly than normal. Aluminum when in contact with steel.