To ensure that your Spotter is able to establish a connection with the Spotter Dashboard, we recommend running a full system test prior to deployment. Setup will only take a few minutes of your time, but the test will take around 2 hours.

<aside> <img src="/icons/checklist_green.svg" alt="/icons/checklist_green.svg" width="40px" />

Requirements

To run a system test, you will need:

• a Spotter, which is registered to your account and has an active cellular line and/or an active satellite line with sufficient satellite credits
• a 5 mm hex key (or socket wrench screwdriver)
• the USB-C power charger included with your Spotter
• a freshly formatted (FAT32) SD card — if you’re deploying your Spotter for the first time, the one shipped with your Spotter will work
• an outdoor space where you can leave the Spotter for multiple hours
• a desktop or laptop computer with an internet connection </aside>

1. Unscrew the five captive lid screws on top of the Spotter using a 5 mm hex key, then take off the lid and put it aside.

   

2. Turn off your Spotter by switching its on/off switch to the “off” position.

3. Plug your Spotter into the provided USB-C charger and charge it until the SYSTEM and GO LEDs transition from blinking to solid green, indicating that the system is fully charged.

4. Open the Telemetry page in the Spotter Dashboard and make sure that your Spotter has either an active cellular line or an active satellite line with sufficient satellite credits.

   

5. If your Spotter has previously been deployed and you have not yet done so, insert a new or freshly formatted (FAT32) SD card into the SD card slot. Clearing or changing SD cards between deployments minimizes the risk of data loss and simplifies troubleshooting.

6. Take the Spotter outside and place it somewhere where it has a clear view of the sky so that it can acquire a GPS signal.

   <aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" width="40px" />

   Things like buildings, roofs, trees and even geographic features like mountains can block GPS signal, making it impossible for Spotter to collect the GPS information it needs to function.

   

   Ideally, your Spotter should have a 360° view of the sky with minimal obstruction.

   </aside>

7. If your Spotter has any current meters attached via Smart Mooring, make sure they are propped up at least somewhat vertically because they will not collect data if they are laying flat.

8. Switch the on/off switch on the Spotter core to the “on” position and verify that the SYSTEM and GO LEDs transition to solid green.

   <aside> <img src="/icons/warning_yellow.svg" alt="/icons/warning_yellow.svg" width="40px" />

   If after 10 minutes, the SYSTEM and GO LEDs have not turned green, refer to pages 13-15 of the Spotter User Guide for more information on the behavior of the Spotter User LEDs and potential troubleshooting steps.

   For more help diagnosing and troubleshooting a red SYSTEM LED, refer to the Why is my SYSTEM LED red? guide.

   </aside>

9. Allow the Spotter to run for more than 2 hours before switching it off again.

   <aside> <img src="/icons/warning_yellow.svg" alt="/icons/warning_yellow.svg" width="40px" />

   Spotter can overheat on land in the direct sun! Do not leave your Spotter out of the water in direct sun for more than 3 hours when turned on. If it is hot and sunny where you are and you cannot put the device in the water or the shade while you run the system test, we recommend running the test overnight instead.

   </aside>

10. Open the Spotter Dashboard and find the Spotter Card associated with your Spotter in the left-hand panel.

    

11. Confirm the following:

    • [ ] The last check-in time was recent

      

    • [ ] The check-in was over the expected telemetry line (i.e., was the check-in via cellular as expected?)

      

      <aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" width="40px" />

      For more information on troubleshooting your Spotter’s cellular connection, refer to Troubleshooting.

      </aside>

    • [ ] The location is indicated correctly

      

    • [ ] Wave and onboard sensors were collecting data

      

    • [ ] Any attached Smart Mooring sensors were collecting data

      

    <aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_blue.svg" width="40px" />

    Don’t worry about the quality of the transmitted observation data (e.g., wave, wind, water temperature, etc.). Spotters are not built to measure on land so any data collected on land will be off.

    </aside>

12. If everything is as expected, your Spotter was successfully able to establish a connection with the Spotter Dashboard and is ready for deployment.

If there are issues with the check-in or your Spotter did not check-in at all, verify that your Spotter: 1. is turned on and in RUN mode 2. has an active cellular line or satellite line with sufficient satellite credits 3. has a clear view of the sky so that it can establish a GPS connection

If you are still having issues, contact the [Sofar Support Team](<mailto:[email protected]>) for help troubleshooting.

13. Once you have finished the system test, turn off the Spotter by switching the on/off switch back to the “off” position.

<aside> <img src="/icons/error_red.svg" alt="/icons/error_red.svg" width="40px" />

Make sure to turn on your Spotter, ensure it is in RUN mode, and carefully secure the lid before deploying it (see the Spotter Onboarding guide).

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