1. Evolution of a Comprehensive Testing Technique to Evaluate PIT- Tag Antenna Performance Matthew S Morris 2, Robert J. Magie 2, Richard D. Ledgerwood 1, and Amy L. Cook 2 2 1

2. Background A towed application creates a barrier to evaluating antenna function, efficiency, and performance.

3. Early Antenna Testing “Cube” “3 Pipe” “46-cm Cylindrical” Hand-held read range testing Assessed system function Did not have an adequate way to evaluate efficiency or performance Still working out logistics of towing an antenna 400 kHz trawl antennas (1995-1999) Area: 0.2 m 2

4. Development of Performance Tests Read range expansion in 2000 Increased antenna passage Wanted to simulate fish moving through antenna Needed convenience and frequency “0.9-m Single” “0.9-m cylindrical” “1.1-m cylindrical” 134.2 kHz trawl antennas (2000-2008) Area: 0.9 m 2 Area: 0.6 m 2

5. Development of Performance Tests Applied PIT tags to a vinyl tape measure Random intervals (30, 60, 90, and 120 cm) and two orientations (0 and 45 degrees) Tape guided through center of antenna coils Tape speed mimicked fish speed 0.9-m Cylindrical

6. Utilizing Performance Tests 1. Test for differences between antennas 2.Test for temporal differences in the same antenna Antenna Area (2006) Total Tags* (N) Mean Tag Reads (%) 0.6 m 2 10,90072.9 0.9 m 2 15,10063.9 1.1-m-diameter (0.9 m 2 ) Total Tags* (N) Mean Tag Reads (%) 200615,10063.9 20076,00047.0 *ST Tags

7. Development of Efficiency Tests Release of SST tags beginning in 2006 Developed “Matrix” antenna in 2007/08 Concern with antenna efficiency and collisions because of fish density and antenna size Redesigned test tape “Matrix” Area: 7.3 m 2

8. Development of Efficiency Tests Test Tape: 6 groups of 9 tags, 3 intervals and 2 orientations Used to understand limits of antenna performance In-water and dry tests Component 1 Component 2 Component 1 Component 2

9. Utilizing Efficiency Tests Matrix Antenna 30 6090 0 20 40 60 80 100 45 0 o o Spacing Interval (cm) Efficiency (%)

10. Utilizing Efficiency Tests Matrix Antenna (6- 0.7 x 3 m) 0.9-m Cylindrical Antenna 30 6090 Spacing Interval (cm) 45 0 o o 0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100 Efficiency (%)

11. Summary Technique has evolved to evaluate antenna function, efficiency, and performance in one test without releasing test fish Designed to be a rigorous test of antenna efficiency Validate antenna designs and temporal variation Test tape layout can be tailored to fit a specific application need Valuable tool to fully understand an antenna’s range of readability

12. Acknowledgments Bruce Jonasson Dave Marvin Mike Morrow Hal Campbell Sandy Downing Earl Prentice Ed Nunnallee April Cameron Russell Porter John Piccininni Scott Dunmire