SFP-1 and MFP-1

MID-FREQUENCY
PINGER
OPERATION MANUAL
514

JW FISHERS MFG INC

1953 COUNTY ST.
E. TAUNTON, MA 02718 USA
(508) 822-7330; (800) 822-4744; FAX (508) 880-8949
Email: info@jwfishers.com WEB: www.jwfishers.com
 MAINTENANCE
SPECIFICATIONS
Your Pinger is constructed of corrosion resistant materials and was
SFP-I MFP-1 designed to be maintenance free. However, as with most diving equip-
• Frequency ................. 22, 26, 30, or 37.5kHz ...... 20 to 50kHz. ment, it is recommended that it be rinsed in fresh water after use
• Power output (adj) ............. .1, .5, 2, 8w .................. .1, .5, 2, 5w. and stored in a cool, dry place.
• Pulse length (adj) ................. 1, 3, 5ms ....................... 2, 3, 4ms. Protect the pinger transducer. Do not toss the pinger into a box
• Rep rate (adj) ..................... 2, 1, .5 sec .................. 2, 1, .5 sec. with other equipment. The transducer should be keep clean (soap
• Batteries (alkaline or lithium) ...... two 9 v ............................ two 9 v. and water) and protected from damage.
note: extended battery option adds four more batteries. If the unit is disassembled, the o-ring can be lubricated with a
• Battery life ......... from days to months depending on battery type silicon based lubricant.
and output power. When storing the pinger for more than a few weeks, the batteries
note: extended battery option yields 3 times battery life.
should be removed from the pinger.
For both SFP-1 and MFP-1:
• Weight ............................... 20 oz air .......... negative 1 oz water. LIMITED WARRANTY
• Size ............................................................ 2.4 in dia x 9 in long. Your Pinger underwent constant inspection during assembly to in-
extended batt option ....... 34 oz air .......... negative 2 oz water. sure many years of trouble free performance. The pinger is war-
.............................. 2.4 in dia x 14 in long. ranted for TWO FULL YEARS from the date of purchase. During
this period your pinger will be repaired free of charge should a failure
• Material ............................................................. high impact PVC. occur due to materials or workmanship under normal use.
• Color .................................................................................. yellow.
• Depth rating ................................................................. 1,000 feet. The warranty does not cover damage due to dropping or general
misuse. The warranty covers JW Fishers equipment only. JW Fish-
ers will not be liable outside of the remedies stated above.
OPTIONS Should service be required, write or phone us explaining the nature
• Extended operating life (longer housing for extra batteries). of the problem, and we will provide shipping instructions. All repairs
• Different frequencies available for SFP-1 (specify at time of order). are made at our factory. Repairs by unauthorized persons may void
• Carrying case (holds two pingers). the warranty.

RETURNING PINGER FOR REPAIR

If your pinger should need service, you can call, fax, write, or e-
mail: info@jwfishers.com, phone (508) 822-7330, or fax (508) 880-
8949 the factory for instructions. We do not require authorization for
the return of equipment. If you have a problem with your pinger and
would like to have it checked out at the factory, simply pack the
pinger well and return it with a brief note describing the problem.
Be sure to include your return address and telephone number on
the note. When returning equipment from outside of the US, to avoid
Custom problems when arriving in the USA, contact the factory for
specific instructions regarding shipping.

i 16
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Specifications .............................................................................. i
Options ........................................................................................ i
Cautions ..................................................................................... 1
Introduction ................................................................................. 2
Distance/Range .......................................................................... 3
Theory of Operation .................................................................... 4
Single Frequency Pinger Jumper Layout ..................................... 6
Multifrequency Pinger Jumper Layout ......................................... 7
Multifrequency Pinger Frequency Switch ..................................... 8
Operation .................................................................................... 9
Pinger Deployment ...................................................................... 9
BLANK Batteries and Battery Life .................................................... 11,12
Electronics Board Removal ....................................................... 13
Battery Installation .................................................................... 13
Battery Layout .......................................................................... 14
Maintenance ............................................................................. 16
Warranty ................................................................................... 16

15 ii
 Battery Layout
CAUTIONS:
Transducer Standard Housing Extended Operations Option
Do not allow the Pinger to be exposed to excessive heat by leav-
ing it in direct sunlight or inside of a closed vehicle on a hot day.
Excessive heat can damage the electronics and/or destroy the wa- Retaining
terproof seals. Cap

The Pingers signal originates from the transducer (black end) at

the end of the pinger. The transducer should be kept clean (soap and
water) and protected from damage. The two screw-heads, visible at
the end of the transducer, should be keep free of debris. When water
touches the two screw-heads, the pinger turns on (if the pinger is in 8
12345
12 2 8 2
1212
123456 12345
1212 12345
12345
12 123456
12
1212 212345
1212 12345
12
water turn-on mode). 212345 123456
12 1
123456 12345 1212
12345
12 1
.5 .5 .5 .5
.1 .1
Always test pingers and pinger receivers on land or in shallow
water before deploying in open water. Pingers do not broadcast sig- 1 11
nals very far through the air; however, they can be detected 5 to 10 12345
12
3
1234 3 123
12 1212
12345
12 35
1234
12 123
12 12345
feet away by a pinger receiver (a “clicking” noise can also be heard

Water
Water
1234
12 123 123
12 123
1234
12 123 123
12 123
12
1234 12
123 123 12
123
from the transducer.) 123
12 5
123
12
123
12
123 5
12

On
On
Before deploying a pinger, write down the pinger frequency for fu- Battery #2 is on

Off
Off
back side of Battery Battery
ture reference (when you want to find it, you need to know the fre-
board #1 #1
quency.)

Before deploying a pinger in the water, be sure the electronics and 123456789012
123456789012 123456789012
seals are pushed into the pinger housing. To do this, push the end of Black Tubing 123456789012
123456789012 123456789012
123456789012
the black transducer in the direction of the housing. A little silicon 123456789012 123456789012
grease on the transducer o-ring makes insertion easier. Screw the
cap snug, but do not overtighten. DO NOT allow the upper collar o-
ring to interfere with the cap being screwed down. Cap should not Battery
touch the o-ring (see photo pg 5). #3

Before swimming in the direction of a received pinger signal, al-

ways double-check other directions to insure that this direction is 123456789012
123456789012
123456789012
producing the strongest signal, and that it’s not a reflected signal 123456789012
(see pages 5 and 6 of this manual.) Batteries #2, 4,
and 6 are on
back side of
When storing the pinger for more than a few weeks, the batteries board Battery
should be removed from the pinger. #5

123456789012
123456789012
123456789012
1 14
123456789012
ELECTRONICS BOARD REMOVAL INTRODUCTION
The electronics board is bolted to the transducer. The transducer is Pingers are devices that generate acoustic signals underwater.
held in place by the Retaining Cap. Open the pinger housing by first They are used to mark an underwater site or piece of equipment so
turning the Retaining Cap counterclockwise (it should not be tight.) a returning diver, using a pinger receiver, can locate the exact spot.
When the Retaining Cap is loose, pull out on the Retaining Cap and
transducer which will remove the transducer and electronics board
from the housing.
Note that the transducer has an o-ring (below the Retaining Cap)
that seals the pinger from water. Be careful to keep this o-ring clean
and free of damage. The o-ring can be lubricated with a silicon based
lubricant.
When reinstalling the electronics be sure the o-ring is pushed into Pingers are available with different transmit frequencies so sev-
the pinger housing. To do this, push the end of the black transducer eral can be deployed in the same general area without interference
in the direction of the housing. Screw the Retaining Cap snug, but from each other. The diver adjusts his pinger receiver to the fre-
do not overtighten. quency of the desired pinger and the receiver leads him to it.
BATTERY INSTALLATION
The SFP-1 and the MFP-1 use two 9 volt Alkaline or Lithium bat- DIVER WITH PINGER RE-
teries. The “Extended Operations Option” package uses six batter- CEIVER PREPARING TO DIVE
ies. TO LOCATE PINGER IN WATER.
To install batteries:
1) Remove the electronics board (see above.)
2) The batteries are mounted directly on the electronics board;
one battery on each side of the board ( the “Extended Operations
Option” package uses three batteries on each side.) The batteries
are installed “terminal end” in first (observe correct polarity.) JW Fishers family of commercial grade pingers include both the
3) After the battery terminals are pushed in-place, push down on Single Frequency Pinger (SFP-1) and the Multifrequency Pinger
the other end of the battery while pushing away the black tubing to (MFP-1). The SFP-1 is available in several frequencies one of
make room for the battery. It is intended to be a tight fit. The black which is specified at time of order (22, 26, 30, or 37.5kHz). The MFP-
tubing holds the battery in-place so it cannot be jarred loose. 1 has user selectable frequencies from 20 to 50 kHz in 500 Hz
The black tubing is not used for the bottom battery on the back increments. The operator selects one of 60 different frequencies
side of the board. This battery is held in-place by the sponge rub- before deploying the pinger. Many pingers can be deployed in the
ber in the bottom of the housing. same general area, each transmitting at a different frequency. This
Transducer enables a diver with a pinger receiver to pinpoint the exact location
of each pinger without interference from the other pingers.
Retaining Cap
(o-ring under cap)

THE SFP-1 AND MFP-1 ARE

THE SAME SIZE.

13 2
 Fishers pingers have several operator adjustable features includ- BATTERIES
ing pulse repetition rate, the length of each pulse, and the output JW Fishers pingers are powered by standard 9 volt batteries (square
power. The length of each pulse and output power adjustments allow rectangular shape). Two types of batteries are recommended for use
the operator to adjust the distance the pingers can be detected. With in pingers: Alkaline or Lithium. Alkaline batteries are available ev-
the MFP-1 the transmission frequency can be selected by the op- erywhere. Look for the word “Alkaline” printed on the battery. There
erator before deployment. These features make the SFP-1 and the are cheaper batteries available that are not Alkaline. Lithium batter-
MFP-1 extremely versatile and the first choice for almost any appli- ies are harder to find and are expensive; however, they last twice as
cation. long as Alkaline.
The standard pinger uses two 9 volt batteries. The “Extended Op-
BOTH THE SFP-1 AND MFP-1 erations Option” package uses six batteries which operates 3 times
ARE AVAILABLE WITH A longer than the standard pinger. The batteries are all in parallel so
LONGER HOUSING. THE you can use any number of batteries and the unit will operate. The
LONGER HOUSING HOLDS number of batteries that are used determine how long the pinger will
MORE BATTERIES FOR EX- operate; not how much output power the pinger will produce.
TENDED OPERATIONS.
BATTERY LIFE
Battery life is dependent on the settings you chose for the pinger.
Power for the pingers is supplied by two standard alkaline 9 volt If you need the longest range possible then select the maximum
batteries which last from a few days to many months, depending on Power Output and the longest Pulse Length; however, this results in
output power and pulse selection. For long durations lithium batter- the shortest battery life.
ies can be used. A longer housing, as shown above, is also avail- The frequency of the pinger also has a significant impact on bat-
able which holds six batteries to give 3 times the normal operating tery life. The lower frequencies (22-30kHz) consume less battery
time. The pinger is automatically activated when put in the water or power than the higher frequencies (31-50kHz). The higher frequen-
manually activated with a switch. cies consume batteries quicker.

DISTANCE See Page 8 for Battery Life Rating for different frequencies
How far a signal can be detected from a pinger varies greatly on
water conditions. The rougher the water, the more noise there is in
the water. Noise in the water makes it difficult for a receiver to pick
out the signal from the background noise. Noise in the water also
attenuates the pinger’s signal; which shortens the distance the sig-
nal will travel. On a quiet deep water lake, a range of up to 1,500
meters would not be unusual; in shallow rough water, 150 meters
may be hard to do.
Thermoclines (layers of water at different temperatures) also inter-
fere with sound traveling through the water. When sound hits a ther-
mocline, some of the signal bounces off the thermocline, leaving a
reduced signal passing through the thermocline and on to the re-
ceiver.
Pinger frequency also effects the maximum distance a pinger sig-
nal can travel. The lower the frequency, the farther sound will travel
in the water. The signal from a 20 kHz pinger will travel further than
a signal from a 50 kHz pinger.
3
12
 THEORY OF OPERATION
General Guidelines for Battery life: When the pinger is turned on (manually, or automatically when the
(see Page 12 for more detail) pinger is put in the water) a continuous series of acoustic pulses
(sound waves) are emitted from the transducer (black end) of the
pinger. The pulses are of very short duration. The pulse length is
Single Frequency Pinger Days of Operation (estimated) measured in milliseconds (ms), and travel out from the transducer
( at 26kHz with two Alkaline batteries and a 5 ms Pulse Length) in all directions.
Watt Days Duration
8w 1 2 4 4 ms (pulse length)
Power 12345 12345 12345
12345
12345 12345
12345 12345
12345
Output 2w 3 6 12 12345 12345 12345
.5 w 12 22 40 12345
12345 12345
12345 12345
12345
12345 12345 12345 Pulse
.1 w 40 75 140 12345
12345 12345
12345 12345
12345
12345 12345 12345 amplitude
Note: 12345
12345 12345
12345 12345
12345
te te • If extended case (6 batteries) 3 times the time.
ra ra te 1 sec
p p ra • If Lithium batteries double the times shown.
re re p • If a 3 ms Pulse Length then 1 1/2 times the time. (one sec between pulses)
c c re
se se c • If a 1 ms Pulse Length then 3 times the time.
.5 1 se
2
The operator has complete control of the output signal by “push on”
jumpers on the electronics board. These jumpers are set prior to
Multifrequency Pinger Days of Operation (estimated) deployment of the pinger.
(at 26kHz with two Alkaline batteries and a 4 ms Pulse Length)
Watt Days Duration 1) The pulse length (4 ms shown above) is operator adjustable
Power 5w 1 2 4 from 1 to 5 ms (may vary with model). The longer the pulse, the
Output 2w 3 6 9 further the signal will travel in the water; but the longer pulse
.5 w 9 14 20
.1 w 21 24 27 consumes more power and shortens battery life.
Note:
• If extended case (6 batteries) 3 times the time.
te te • If Lithium batteries double the times shown. 2) The repetition rate (sec between pulses) is also operator ad-
ra ra te
p p ra • If a 3 ms Pulse Length then 1 1/2 times the time. justable from .5 sec between pulses to 2 sec between pulses (1
re re re
p
c c • If a 2 ms Pulse Length then 2 times the time. sec between pulses shown above). A shorter rep rate does not
se se se
c
.5 1 2 increase range; but it is easier to locate a pinger operating at .5
sec between pulses than one operating at two seconds between
pulses. A pinger operating at .5 sec consumes twice the battery
power of a pinger operating at a 1 sec rep rate.
Note: Frequency also effects battery life (see next page)
3) Power output (pulse amplitude) is also operator adjustable
from .1 to 8 watts (may vary with model). The higher the output
power the farther the signal will travel through the water. Dou-
bling the output power increases the distance; but does not double
the distance. Doubling the output power reduces battery life in
half.

11 4
 4) Frequency of the pinger (the frequency of the individual pulses
within the 4 ms time frame shown above) is factory set for the PINGER DEPLOYMENT
Single Frequency Pinger (SFP-1) at 22, 26, 30, or 37.5kHz at Before deploying the pinger, write down the pinger frequency for
time of order. The Multifrequency Pinger (MFP-1) is operator future reference (when you want to find it, you need to know the
adjustable from 20 to 50kHz. Generally speaking, the lower the frequency.)
frequency of the pinger, the further the signal will travel. The
lower frequencies also use less battery power (batteries last The transmitted signal is stronger from the top and sides of the
longer). pinger transducer than it is from the bottom. When marking a target
on the ocean bottom, install the flotation collar under the Retaining
5) Power activation of the pinger is operator selectable. “Off” Cap (to keep the transducer pointed up) and tie a cord from the
position does not allow power to the unit. “On” position forces bottom of the pinger to the target.
the unit on. “Water” position turns the unit on when the pinger
enters the water (when water touches the metal contacts on top
of the transducer).

If it is going to be a long term deployment the “On” position is

recommended (Metal Contacts could possibly become corroded
over a long term).

The signal is radiated out from the transducer end of the pinger. A To mark an anchor line for returning divers, use the same setup
floatation collar (included) is installed on the transducer end of the as above and tie the pinger cord to the anchor line 6-10 foot up
pinger anytime the pinger is tied to a target on the ocean floor. The from the anchor (before deploying the anchor.)
floatation collar keeps the transducer end pointed up so that the
radiated signal is upward as well as out to the sides. To mark a boat or target on the surface, remove the flotation
The floatation collar is not used when the pinger is tied off to a collar and tie the pinger cord to the boat (transducer will be
target on the surface of the water. In this situation the transducer pointed down.)
would be pointing down (it’s natural orientation).
Metal Contacts
(for Water power activation)

Transducer
Retaining Cap
Upper O-ring
Upper O-ring should not
holds Collar in- interfere with
place cap

Floatation Collar
Lower O-ring
holds Collar in-
place

Deployment Cord
connects to this end
5 10
OPERATION
Pinger operation is simple and straight forward. Single Frequency Pinger Jumper Layout
1) Remove the electronics board (see page 13). (Front side of board shown)
2) Install “push on” jumpers (see page 6 or 7) for:
• Power Output ............................................................ 2 watt
Sample settings shown are for
moderate distances (less than
• Rep Rate .................................................................. 1 Sec
200m) and less than a week of Metal Contacts
• Pulse Length .............................................................
duration. 3 ms
(for Water power activation)
• Power Activation ............................................................ On Transducer

Always test pingers and pinger receivers on land or in shallow

water before deploying in open water. Pingers do not transmit sig-
Retaining Cap
nals very far through the air; however, they can be detected 5 to 10
feet away by a pinger receiver.

If you are operating the pinger in air, a “clicking sound” can be

heard from the transducer each time a “ping” occurs. You may not be
able to hear it if you have the jumpers set for a low power output.

8
Before deploying a pinger in the water be sure the electronics and 123456 2
Power Output 2123456
12
1212
123456
12
12
12345
12
12345
12 12 1
12345
Rep Rate (seconds between pulses)
seals are pushed into the pinger housing. To do this, push the end of (2 Watt selected) .5 (1 sec rep rate selected)
.5
the black transducer in the direction of the housing. Screw the Re- .1
taining Cap snug, but do not overtighten.
1
Pulse Length
Be sure to use fresh batteries each time the pinger is used. The 123
123
12 3 (5 ms selected)

Water
123
12 123
cost of a fresh set of batteries is small compared to the loss of a 123
12
123
12
123
123
123 5
“dead” pinger, or a delay in the project while you relocate the target. Power Activation 123

On
(water activation selected)

Off
Battery
#1
123456
123456
12
1212
123456
12 = jumper installed

123456789012
123456789012
123456789012
123456789012

9 6
 Desired Battery Life Rating* Freq Switch Multifrequency Pinger
Frequency (10 is the Best) Settings
(Frequency Selection Switch)
Multifrequency Pinger Jumper Layout 20000 ...................... 9 .................... 11100100
20500 .............................................. 00010100
(Front side of board shown) 21000 ...................... 9 .................... 10010100 Frequency
21500 .............................................. 01010100 Selection Switch
22000 ..................... 10 ................... 11010100 Switch
ON is on
22500 .............................................. 00110100
23000 ..................... 10 ................... 10110100
23500 .............................................. 01110100 Switch
24000 ..................... 10 ................... 11110100 is off
24500 .............................................. 00001100
(Sample setting
25000 ..................... 10 ................... 10001100
Metal Contacts 25500 .............................................. 01001100 is for 20,000Hz)
(for Water power activation) 26000 ..................... 10 ................... 11001100
Transducer 26500 .............................................. 00101100
27000 ..................... 10 ................... 10101100 Transducer
27500 .............................................. 01101100
28000 ..................... 10 ................... 11101100
Retaining Cap 28500 .............................................. 00011100 Frequency
29000 ...................... 9 .................... 10011100 Switch
29500 .............................................. 01011100
30000 ...................... 9 .................... 11011100
30500 .............................................. 00111100
31000 ...................... 8 .................... 10111100
31500 .............................................. 01111100
32000 ...................... 8 .................... 11111100
32500 .............................................. 00000010
33000 ...................... 7 .................... 10000010
33500 .............................................. 01000010
5 12345 34000 ...................... 7 .................... 11000010
12
12
2
Power Output 12345
12 12
12345
12 Rep Rate (seconds between pulses) 34500 .............................................. 00100010
2 12
12345
12 12345
12 12 1
12345
(2 Watt selected) (1 sec rep rate selected) 35000 ...................... 7 .................... 10100010
.5 .5 35500 .............................................. 01100010
.1
36000 ...................... 7 .................... 11100010
36500 .............................................. 00010010
2 37000 ...................... 6 .................... 10010010
3
Pulse Length 37500 .............................................. 01010010
12345 (4 ms selected)
123 12345
12 12 38000 ...................... 6 .................... 11010010
12
123 12
12345
12 4
Water

123
12
123
12
123
12 38500 .............................................. 00110010
Power Activation 39000 ...................... 5 .................... 10110010
On

(water activation selected) 39500 .............................................. 01110010

40000 ...................... 5 .................... 11110010
40500 .............................................. 00001010
Off

Battery Note: 41000 ...................... 3 .................... 10001010

#1 The frequency selection 41500 .............................................. 01001010
switch is mounted on the 42000 ...................... 3 .................... 11001010
back side of this board 42500 .............................................. 00101010

123456789012
43000 ...................... 2 .................... 10101010 Multifrequency Pinger
123456789012
123456789012
43500
44000
..............................................
...................... 1 ....................
01101010
11101010 (Back side of board shown)
123456789012 44500 .............................................. 00011010
45000 ...................... 2 .................... 10011010
12345
1212 45500 .............................................. 01011010
12345
12
1212
12345
12 = jumper installed 46000 ...................... 1 .................... 11011010
46500 .............................................. 00111010 * Battery Life: Batteries will last longer when
47000 ...................... 1 .................... 10111010 the Pinger is operating in the lower frequen-
47500 .............................................. 01111010 cies. A frequency with a Battery Life Rating
48000 ...................... 3 .................... 11111010 of 9 or 10 is best when long duration is
48500 .............................................. 00000110
required.
49000 ...................... 4 .................... 10000110
49500 .............................................. 01000110
7 50000 ...................... 5 .................... 11000110 8
 Desired Battery Life Rating* Freq Switch Multifrequency Pinger
Frequency (10 is the Best) Settings
(Frequency Selection Switch)
Multifrequency Pinger Jumper Layout 20000 ...................... 9 .................... 11100100
20500 .............................................. 00010100
(Front side of board shown) 21000 ...................... 9 .................... 10010100 Frequency
21500 .............................................. 01010100 Selection Switch
22000 ..................... 10 ................... 11010100 Switch
ON is on
22500 .............................................. 00110100
23000 ..................... 10 ................... 10110100
23500 .............................................. 01110100 Switch
24000 ..................... 10 ................... 11110100 is off
24500 .............................................. 00001100
(Sample setting
25000 ..................... 10 ................... 10001100
Metal Contacts 25500 .............................................. 01001100 is for 20,000Hz)
(for Water power activation) 26000 ..................... 10 ................... 11001100
Transducer 26500 .............................................. 00101100
27000 ..................... 10 ................... 10101100 Transducer
27500 .............................................. 01101100
28000 ..................... 10 ................... 11101100
Retaining Cap 28500 .............................................. 00011100 Frequency
29000 ...................... 9 .................... 10011100 Switch
29500 .............................................. 01011100
30000 ...................... 9 .................... 11011100
30500 .............................................. 00111100
31000 ...................... 8 .................... 10111100
31500 .............................................. 01111100
32000 ...................... 8 .................... 11111100
32500 .............................................. 00000010
33000 ...................... 7 .................... 10000010
33500 .............................................. 01000010
5 12345 34000 ...................... 7 .................... 11000010
12
12
2
Power Output 12345
12 12
12345
12 Rep Rate (seconds between pulses) 34500 .............................................. 00100010
2 12
12345
12 12345
12 12 1
12345
(2 Watt selected) (1 sec rep rate selected) 35000 ...................... 7 .................... 10100010
.5 .5 35500 .............................................. 01100010
.1
36000 ...................... 7 .................... 11100010
36500 .............................................. 00010010
2 37000 ...................... 6 .................... 10010010
3
Pulse Length 37500 .............................................. 01010010
12345 (4 ms selected)
123 12345
12 12 38000 ...................... 6 .................... 11010010
12
123 12
12345
12 4
Water

123
12
123
12
123
12 38500 .............................................. 00110010
Power Activation 39000 ...................... 5 .................... 10110010
On

(water activation selected) 39500 .............................................. 01110010

40000 ...................... 5 .................... 11110010
40500 .............................................. 00001010
Off

Battery Note: 41000 ...................... 3 .................... 10001010

#1 The frequency selection 41500 .............................................. 01001010
switch is mounted on the 42000 ...................... 3 .................... 11001010
back side of this board 42500 .............................................. 00101010

123456789012
43000 ...................... 2 .................... 10101010 Multifrequency Pinger
123456789012
123456789012
43500
44000
..............................................
...................... 1 ....................
01101010
11101010 (Back side of board shown)
123456789012 44500 .............................................. 00011010
45000 ...................... 2 .................... 10011010
12345
1212 45500 .............................................. 01011010
12345
12
1212
12345
12 = jumper installed 46000 ...................... 1 .................... 11011010
46500 .............................................. 00111010 * Battery Life: Batteries will last longer when
47000 ...................... 1 .................... 10111010 the Pinger is operating in the lower frequen-
47500 .............................................. 01111010 cies. A frequency with a Battery Life Rating
48000 ...................... 3 .................... 11111010 of 9 or 10 is best when long duration is
48500 .............................................. 00000110
required.
49000 ...................... 4 .................... 10000110
49500 .............................................. 01000110
7 50000 ...................... 5 .................... 11000110 8
OPERATION
Pinger operation is simple and straight forward. Single Frequency Pinger Jumper Layout
1) Remove the electronics board (see page 13). (Front side of board shown)
2) Install “push on” jumpers (see page 6 or 7) for:
• Power Output ............................................................ 2 watt
Sample settings shown are for
moderate distances (less than
• Rep Rate .................................................................. 1 Sec
200m) and less than a week of Metal Contacts
• Pulse Length .............................................................
duration. 3 ms
(for Water power activation)
• Power Activation ............................................................ On Transducer

Always test pingers and pinger receivers on land or in shallow

water before deploying in open water. Pingers do not transmit sig-
Retaining Cap
nals very far through the air; however, they can be detected 5 to 10
feet away by a pinger receiver.

If you are operating the pinger in air, a “clicking sound” can be

heard from the transducer each time a “ping” occurs. You may not be
able to hear it if you have the jumpers set for a low power output.

8
Before deploying a pinger in the water be sure the electronics and 123456 2
Power Output 2123456
12
1212
123456
12
12
12345
12
12345
12 12 1
12345
Rep Rate (seconds between pulses)
seals are pushed into the pinger housing. To do this, push the end of (2 Watt selected) .5 (1 sec rep rate selected)
.5
the black transducer in the direction of the housing. Screw the Re- .1
taining Cap snug, but do not overtighten.
1
Pulse Length
Be sure to use fresh batteries each time the pinger is used. The 123
123
12 3 (5 ms selected)

Water
123
12 123
cost of a fresh set of batteries is small compared to the loss of a 123
12
123
12
123
123
123 5
“dead” pinger, or a delay in the project while you relocate the target. Power Activation 123

On
(water activation selected)

Off
Battery
#1
123456
123456
12
1212
123456
12 = jumper installed

123456789012
123456789012
123456789012
123456789012

9 6
 4) Frequency of the pinger (the frequency of the individual pulses
within the 4 ms time frame shown above) is factory set for the PINGER DEPLOYMENT
Single Frequency Pinger (SFP-1) at 22, 26, 30, or 37.5kHz at Before deploying the pinger, write down the pinger frequency for
time of order. The Multifrequency Pinger (MFP-1) is operator future reference (when you want to find it, you need to know the
adjustable from 20 to 50kHz. Generally speaking, the lower the frequency.)
frequency of the pinger, the further the signal will travel. The
lower frequencies also use less battery power (batteries last The transmitted signal is stronger from the top and sides of the
longer). pinger transducer than it is from the bottom. When marking a target
on the ocean bottom, install the flotation collar under the Retaining
5) Power activation of the pinger is operator selectable. “Off” Cap (to keep the transducer pointed up) and tie a cord from the
position does not allow power to the unit. “On” position forces bottom of the pinger to the target.
the unit on. “Water” position turns the unit on when the pinger
enters the water (when water touches the metal contacts on top
of the transducer).

If it is going to be a long term deployment the “On” position is

recommended (Metal Contacts could possibly become corroded
over a long term).

The signal is radiated out from the transducer end of the pinger. A To mark an anchor line for returning divers, use the same setup
floatation collar (included) is installed on the transducer end of the as above and tie the pinger cord to the anchor line 6-10 foot up
pinger anytime the pinger is tied to a target on the ocean floor. The from the anchor (before deploying the anchor.)
floatation collar keeps the transducer end pointed up so that the
radiated signal is upward as well as out to the sides. To mark a boat or target on the surface, remove the flotation
The floatation collar is not used when the pinger is tied off to a collar and tie the pinger cord to the boat (transducer will be
target on the surface of the water. In this situation the transducer pointed down.)
would be pointing down (it’s natural orientation).
Metal Contacts
(for Water power activation)

Transducer
Retaining Cap
Upper O-ring
Upper O-ring should not
holds Collar in- interfere with
place cap

Floatation Collar
Lower O-ring
holds Collar in-
place

Deployment Cord
connects to this end
5 10
 THEORY OF OPERATION
General Guidelines for Battery life: When the pinger is turned on (manually, or automatically when the
(see Page 12 for more detail) pinger is put in the water) a continuous series of acoustic pulses
(sound waves) are emitted from the transducer (black end) of the
pinger. The pulses are of very short duration. The pulse length is
Single Frequency Pinger Days of Operation (estimated) measured in milliseconds (ms), and travel out from the transducer
( at 26kHz with two Alkaline batteries and a 5 ms Pulse Length) in all directions.
Watt Days Duration
8w 1 2 4 4 ms (pulse length)
Power 12345 12345 12345
12345
12345 12345
12345 12345
12345
Output 2w 3 6 12 12345 12345 12345
.5 w 12 22 40 12345
12345 12345
12345 12345
12345
12345 12345 12345 Pulse
.1 w 40 75 140 12345
12345 12345
12345 12345
12345
12345 12345 12345 amplitude
Note: 12345
12345 12345
12345 12345
12345
te te • If extended case (6 batteries) 3 times the time.
ra ra te 1 sec
p p ra • If Lithium batteries double the times shown.
re re p • If a 3 ms Pulse Length then 1 1/2 times the time. (one sec between pulses)
c c re
se se c • If a 1 ms Pulse Length then 3 times the time.
.5 1 se
2
The operator has complete control of the output signal by “push on”
jumpers on the electronics board. These jumpers are set prior to
Multifrequency Pinger Days of Operation (estimated) deployment of the pinger.
(at 26kHz with two Alkaline batteries and a 4 ms Pulse Length)
Watt Days Duration 1) The pulse length (4 ms shown above) is operator adjustable
Power 5w 1 2 4 from 1 to 5 ms (may vary with model). The longer the pulse, the
Output 2w 3 6 9 further the signal will travel in the water; but the longer pulse
.5 w 9 14 20
.1 w 21 24 27 consumes more power and shortens battery life.
Note:
• If extended case (6 batteries) 3 times the time.
te te • If Lithium batteries double the times shown. 2) The repetition rate (sec between pulses) is also operator ad-
ra ra te
p p ra • If a 3 ms Pulse Length then 1 1/2 times the time. justable from .5 sec between pulses to 2 sec between pulses (1
re re re
p
c c • If a 2 ms Pulse Length then 2 times the time. sec between pulses shown above). A shorter rep rate does not
se se se
c
.5 1 2 increase range; but it is easier to locate a pinger operating at .5
sec between pulses than one operating at two seconds between
pulses. A pinger operating at .5 sec consumes twice the battery
power of a pinger operating at a 1 sec rep rate.
Note: Frequency also effects battery life (see next page)
3) Power output (pulse amplitude) is also operator adjustable
from .1 to 8 watts (may vary with model). The higher the output
power the farther the signal will travel through the water. Dou-
bling the output power increases the distance; but does not double
the distance. Doubling the output power reduces battery life in
half.

11 4
 Fishers pingers have several operator adjustable features includ- BATTERIES
ing pulse repetition rate, the length of each pulse, and the output JW Fishers pingers are powered by standard 9 volt batteries (square
power. The length of each pulse and output power adjustments allow rectangular shape). Two types of batteries are recommended for use
the operator to adjust the distance the pingers can be detected. With in pingers: Alkaline or Lithium. Alkaline batteries are available ev-
the MFP-1 the transmission frequency can be selected by the op- erywhere. Look for the word “Alkaline” printed on the battery. There
erator before deployment. These features make the SFP-1 and the are cheaper batteries available that are not Alkaline. Lithium batter-
MFP-1 extremely versatile and the first choice for almost any appli- ies are harder to find and are expensive; however, they last twice as
cation. long as Alkaline.
The standard pinger uses two 9 volt batteries. The “Extended Op-
BOTH THE SFP-1 AND MFP-1 erations Option” package uses six batteries which operates 3 times
ARE AVAILABLE WITH A longer than the standard pinger. The batteries are all in parallel so
LONGER HOUSING. THE you can use any number of batteries and the unit will operate. The
LONGER HOUSING HOLDS number of batteries that are used determine how long the pinger will
MORE BATTERIES FOR EX- operate; not how much output power the pinger will produce.
TENDED OPERATIONS.
BATTERY LIFE
Battery life is dependent on the settings you chose for the pinger.
Power for the pingers is supplied by two standard alkaline 9 volt If you need the longest range possible then select the maximum
batteries which last from a few days to many months, depending on Power Output and the longest Pulse Length; however, this results in
output power and pulse selection. For long durations lithium batter- the shortest battery life.
ies can be used. A longer housing, as shown above, is also avail- The frequency of the pinger also has a significant impact on bat-
able which holds six batteries to give 3 times the normal operating tery life. The lower frequencies (22-30kHz) consume less battery
time. The pinger is automatically activated when put in the water or power than the higher frequencies (31-50kHz). The higher frequen-
manually activated with a switch. cies consume batteries quicker.

DISTANCE See Page 8 for Battery Life Rating for different frequencies
How far a signal can be detected from a pinger varies greatly on
water conditions. The rougher the water, the more noise there is in
the water. Noise in the water makes it difficult for a receiver to pick
out the signal from the background noise. Noise in the water also
attenuates the pinger’s signal; which shortens the distance the sig-
nal will travel. On a quiet deep water lake, a range of up to 1,500
meters would not be unusual; in shallow rough water, 150 meters
may be hard to do.
Thermoclines (layers of water at different temperatures) also inter-
fere with sound traveling through the water. When sound hits a ther-
mocline, some of the signal bounces off the thermocline, leaving a
reduced signal passing through the thermocline and on to the re-
ceiver.
Pinger frequency also effects the maximum distance a pinger sig-
nal can travel. The lower the frequency, the farther sound will travel
in the water. The signal from a 20 kHz pinger will travel further than
a signal from a 50 kHz pinger.
3
12
ELECTRONICS BOARD REMOVAL INTRODUCTION
The electronics board is bolted to the transducer. The transducer is Pingers are devices that generate acoustic signals underwater.
held in place by the Retaining Cap. Open the pinger housing by first They are used to mark an underwater site or piece of equipment so
turning the Retaining Cap counterclockwise (it should not be tight.) a returning diver, using a pinger receiver, can locate the exact spot.
When the Retaining Cap is loose, pull out on the Retaining Cap and
transducer which will remove the transducer and electronics board
from the housing.
Note that the transducer has an o-ring (below the Retaining Cap)
that seals the pinger from water. Be careful to keep this o-ring clean
and free of damage. The o-ring can be lubricated with a silicon based
lubricant.
When reinstalling the electronics be sure the o-ring is pushed into Pingers are available with different transmit frequencies so sev-
the pinger housing. To do this, push the end of the black transducer eral can be deployed in the same general area without interference
in the direction of the housing. Screw the Retaining Cap snug, but from each other. The diver adjusts his pinger receiver to the fre-
do not overtighten. quency of the desired pinger and the receiver leads him to it.
BATTERY INSTALLATION
The SFP-1 and the MFP-1 use two 9 volt Alkaline or Lithium bat- DIVER WITH PINGER RE-
teries. The “Extended Operations Option” package uses six batter- CEIVER PREPARING TO DIVE
ies. TO LOCATE PINGER IN WATER.
To install batteries:
1) Remove the electronics board (see above.)
2) The batteries are mounted directly on the electronics board;
one battery on each side of the board ( the “Extended Operations
Option” package uses three batteries on each side.) The batteries
are installed “terminal end” in first (observe correct polarity.) JW Fishers family of commercial grade pingers include both the
3) After the battery terminals are pushed in-place, push down on Single Frequency Pinger (SFP-1) and the Multifrequency Pinger
the other end of the battery while pushing away the black tubing to (MFP-1). The SFP-1 is available in several frequencies one of
make room for the battery. It is intended to be a tight fit. The black which is specified at time of order (22, 26, 30, or 37.5kHz). The MFP-
tubing holds the battery in-place so it cannot be jarred loose. 1 has user selectable frequencies from 20 to 50 kHz in 500 Hz
The black tubing is not used for the bottom battery on the back increments. The operator selects one of 60 different frequencies
side of the board. This battery is held in-place by the sponge rub- before deploying the pinger. Many pingers can be deployed in the
ber in the bottom of the housing. same general area, each transmitting at a different frequency. This
Transducer enables a diver with a pinger receiver to pinpoint the exact location
of each pinger without interference from the other pingers.
Retaining Cap
(o-ring under cap)

THE SFP-1 AND MFP-1 ARE

THE SAME SIZE.

13 2
 Battery Layout
CAUTIONS:
Transducer Standard Housing Extended Operations Option
Do not allow the Pinger to be exposed to excessive heat by leav-
ing it in direct sunlight or inside of a closed vehicle on a hot day.
Excessive heat can damage the electronics and/or destroy the wa- Retaining
terproof seals. Cap

The Pingers signal originates from the transducer (black end) at

the end of the pinger. The transducer should be kept clean (soap and
water) and protected from damage. The two screw-heads, visible at
the end of the transducer, should be keep free of debris. When water
touches the two screw-heads, the pinger turns on (if the pinger is in 8
12345
12 2 8 2
1212
123456 12345
1212 12345
12345
12 123456
12
1212 212345
1212 12345
12
water turn-on mode). 212345 123456
12 1
123456 12345 1212
12345
12 1
.5 .5 .5 .5
.1 .1
Always test pingers and pinger receivers on land or in shallow
water before deploying in open water. Pingers do not broadcast sig- 1 11
nals very far through the air; however, they can be detected 5 to 10 12345
12
3
1234 3 123
12 1212
12345
12 35
1234
12 123
12 12345
feet away by a pinger receiver (a “clicking” noise can also be heard

Water
Water
1234
12 123 123
12 123
1234
12 123 123
12 123
12
1234 12
123 123 12
123
from the transducer.) 123
12 5
123
12
123
12
123 5
12

On
On
Before deploying a pinger, write down the pinger frequency for fu- Battery #2 is on

Off
Off
back side of Battery Battery
ture reference (when you want to find it, you need to know the fre-
board #1 #1
quency.)

Before deploying a pinger in the water, be sure the electronics and 123456789012
123456789012 123456789012
seals are pushed into the pinger housing. To do this, push the end of Black Tubing 123456789012
123456789012 123456789012
123456789012
the black transducer in the direction of the housing. A little silicon 123456789012 123456789012
grease on the transducer o-ring makes insertion easier. Screw the
cap snug, but do not overtighten. DO NOT allow the upper collar o-
ring to interfere with the cap being screwed down. Cap should not Battery
touch the o-ring (see photo pg 5). #3

Before swimming in the direction of a received pinger signal, al-

ways double-check other directions to insure that this direction is 123456789012
123456789012
123456789012
producing the strongest signal, and that it’s not a reflected signal 123456789012
(see pages 5 and 6 of this manual.) Batteries #2, 4,
and 6 are on
back side of
When storing the pinger for more than a few weeks, the batteries board Battery
should be removed from the pinger. #5

123456789012
123456789012
123456789012
1 14
123456789012
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Specifications .............................................................................. i
Options ........................................................................................ i
Cautions ..................................................................................... 1
Introduction ................................................................................. 2
Distance/Range .......................................................................... 3
Theory of Operation .................................................................... 4
Single Frequency Pinger Jumper Layout ..................................... 6
Multifrequency Pinger Jumper Layout ......................................... 7
Multifrequency Pinger Frequency Switch ..................................... 8
Operation .................................................................................... 9
Pinger Deployment ...................................................................... 9
BLANK Batteries and Battery Life .................................................... 11,12
Electronics Board Removal ....................................................... 13
Battery Installation .................................................................... 13
Battery Layout .......................................................................... 14
Maintenance ............................................................................. 16
Warranty ................................................................................... 16

15 ii
 MAINTENANCE
SPECIFICATIONS
Your Pinger is constructed of corrosion resistant materials and was
SFP-I MFP-1 designed to be maintenance free. However, as with most diving equip-
• Frequency ................. 22, 26, 30, or 37.5kHz ...... 20 to 50kHz. ment, it is recommended that it be rinsed in fresh water after use
• Power output (adj) ............. .1, .5, 2, 8w .................. .1, .5, 2, 5w. and stored in a cool, dry place.
• Pulse length (adj) ................. 1, 3, 5ms ....................... 2, 3, 4ms. Protect the pinger transducer. Do not toss the pinger into a box
• Rep rate (adj) ..................... 2, 1, .5 sec .................. 2, 1, .5 sec. with other equipment. The transducer should be keep clean (soap
• Batteries (alkaline or lithium) ...... two 9 v ............................ two 9 v. and water) and protected from damage.
note: extended battery option adds four more batteries. If the unit is disassembled, the o-ring can be lubricated with a
• Battery life ......... from days to months depending on battery type silicon based lubricant.
and output power. When storing the pinger for more than a few weeks, the batteries
note: extended battery option yields 3 times battery life.
should be removed from the pinger.
For both SFP-1 and MFP-1:
• Weight ............................... 20 oz air .......... negative 1 oz water. LIMITED WARRANTY
• Size ............................................................ 2.4 in dia x 9 in long. Your Pinger underwent constant inspection during assembly to in-
extended batt option ....... 34 oz air .......... negative 2 oz water. sure many years of trouble free performance. The pinger is war-
.............................. 2.4 in dia x 14 in long. ranted for TWO FULL YEARS from the date of purchase. During
this period your pinger will be repaired free of charge should a failure
• Material ............................................................. high impact PVC. occur due to materials or workmanship under normal use.
• Color .................................................................................. yellow.
• Depth rating ................................................................. 1,000 feet. The warranty does not cover damage due to dropping or general
misuse. The warranty covers JW Fishers equipment only. JW Fish-
ers will not be liable outside of the remedies stated above.
OPTIONS Should service be required, write or phone us explaining the nature
• Extended operating life (longer housing for extra batteries). of the problem, and we will provide shipping instructions. All repairs
• Different frequencies available for SFP-1 (specify at time of order). are made at our factory. Repairs by unauthorized persons may void
• Carrying case (holds two pingers). the warranty.

RETURNING PINGER FOR REPAIR

If your pinger should need service, you can call, fax, write, or e-
mail: info@jwfishers.com, phone (508) 822-7330, or fax (508) 880-
8949 the factory for instructions. We do not require authorization for
the return of equipment. If you have a problem with your pinger and
would like to have it checked out at the factory, simply pack the
pinger well and return it with a brief note describing the problem.
Be sure to include your return address and telephone number on
the note. When returning equipment from outside of the US, to avoid
Custom problems when arriving in the USA, contact the factory for
specific instructions regarding shipping.

i 16