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Friday, February 27, 2009
Transponder
Would someone be so kind as to tell me why my transponder works at the East Gate but will not open the gate for me at the West Gate. It's frustrating to say the least.
I know Dave's comment didn't solve your problem, Nutmegger, but I am laughing my head off at the Sherlock Holmes quote. Sometimes on Thursday nights, there is a Sherlock Holmes story on Channel 2. I enjoy them.
I know several people who have had the same problem you've had, or perhaps it was in reverse, as Ed Black says seems more prevalent. I don't know the answer other than to keep after the appropriate UCO personnel.
There is one thing I do, unrelated to your exact problem, I would guess, but it has worked so far for me. I am always afraid the guys at the car wash will damage my transponder decal when they clean the inside of my front windshield. I taped a little cardbox "box" over the decal to protect it. The box doesn't actually touch the decal.
Hi Nutmegger, Sorry for the flip response, I could not resist.
Lanny makes a good point. The Transponder strip is nothing more than an adhesive strip with a Chip in the center. Do not spray it, do not wash it, do not touch it.
The principle of operation is simple, as you approach the gate a transmitter sending a signal "tickles" the chip and generates a very low voltage which activates a Tranmitter of sorts which sends a code unique to that Transponder and recorded in the UCO computer. If you are registered and authorized, the gate opens.
The systems at the two gates, while nominally identical, have by the very nature of electronic systems, some slight parametric differences and different local Electromagnetic interference environments.
Try slowly inching up very close to the non-responding gate; do not hit it but get as close as you can.
If this does not work, as noted in other replies, go to UCO where you may have to get a new one, as they do not last forever.
Hi Ms. Nutmegger, I do something else, and it's very easy. I go through the guard gate. They are very pleasant and friendly. On a rare occasion when there is a line that you have to show your id I use the gate. David and Lanny's suggestions are right on target.
Boy are you an earlybird. How do you know I am a Ms? As far as washing the inside of my car let me tell you my car has not seen a car wash place in probably 4 months and I mean inside and outside. For some reason I do not take care of my car the way I keep my unit extremely clean. Whatever gate I pull into if I see the transponder side is crowded I take out my ID and whisk right thru ahead of all. Tomorrow I will have to breakdown and go to UCO. Wish me luck.....
Saying that the strip might be the problem is only confusing the issue.
I only go to the car wash to get the exterior cleaned and still have had the problem reoccur. I then go to UCO to reactivate the strip via their computer. This has been a routine since the system was initially installed.
Hi Nutmegger,
ReplyDelete"How does the, the thing work, Holmes?
Electricity Watson, The high priest of false security".*
*Sherlock Holmes and the Pearl of Death - 1944
Dave Israel
Maybe you should ask Ms. Personality who runs the transponders...She is a paid employee!!!
ReplyDeleteYour not alone.
ReplyDeleteIn fact I have for the past year or so had to go back to UCO to have the transponder reinvigorated on the computer system.
With out getting involved in politics or quips, perhaps something should be done about the problem which seems to be intermittent.
I like the idea of the magnetic strips now all we need is to iron out the flaws in the system.
Maybe "clickers" would be a better
ReplyDeletesolution...many communities use them and when they no longer operate, the batteries are replaced.
Hi Nutmegger,
ReplyDeleteYou should speak with the UCO team about the problem.
Most of the problems seem the other way 'round. The west gate works fine, but the east gate does not.
Go figure.
Ed Black
I know Dave's comment didn't solve your problem, Nutmegger, but I am laughing my head off at the Sherlock Holmes quote. Sometimes on Thursday nights, there is a Sherlock Holmes story on Channel 2. I enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI know several people who have had the same problem you've had, or perhaps it was in reverse, as Ed Black says seems more prevalent. I don't know the answer other than to keep after the appropriate UCO personnel.
There is one thing I do, unrelated to your exact problem, I would guess, but it has worked so far for me. I am always afraid the guys at the car wash will damage my transponder decal when they clean the inside of my front windshield. I taped a little cardbox "box" over the decal to protect it. The box doesn't actually touch the decal.
Hi Nutmegger,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the flip response, I could not resist.
Lanny makes a good point. The Transponder strip is nothing more than an adhesive strip with a Chip in the center. Do not spray it, do not wash it, do not touch it.
The principle of operation is simple, as you approach the gate a transmitter sending a signal "tickles" the chip and generates a very low voltage which activates a Tranmitter of sorts which sends a code unique to that Transponder and recorded in the UCO computer. If you are registered and authorized, the gate opens.
The systems at the two gates, while nominally identical, have by the very nature of electronic systems, some slight parametric differences and different local Electromagnetic interference environments.
Try slowly inching up very close to the non-responding gate; do not hit it but get as close as you can.
If this does not work, as noted in other replies, go to UCO where you may have to get a new one, as they do not last forever.
Dave Israel
Hi Ms. Nutmegger, I do something else, and it's very easy. I go through the guard gate. They are very pleasant and friendly. On a rare occasion when there is a line that you have to show your id I use the gate. David and Lanny's suggestions are right on target.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 6:50AM
ReplyDeleteBoy are you an earlybird.
How do you know I am a
Ms? As far as washing
the inside of my car let
me tell you my car has
not seen a car wash place
in probably 4 months and
I mean inside and outside.
For some reason I do not take care of my car the way I keep my unit
extremely clean.
Whatever gate I pull into
if I see the transponder
side is crowded I take
out my ID and whisk right
thru ahead of all.
Tomorrow I will have to
breakdown and go to UCO.
Wish me luck.....
Saying that the strip might be the problem is only confusing the issue.
ReplyDeleteI only go to the car wash to get the exterior cleaned and still have had the problem reoccur. I then go to UCO to reactivate the strip via their computer. This has been a routine since the system was initially installed.
The problem is the system!