Quick answers

For each animal we want to track, we mostly care about its name and the frequency of it's transmitter. This is kind of like a radio station; e.g. KRML is on frequency 94.7 MHz. If we want to save that radio station and a bunch of others into our car radio, we might put in KRML first, then KAZU (90.3), then KZSC (88.1), and so on. In our radio, KRML would be channel 1, KAZU would be 2, and KZSC would be 3. Channel numbers are just where we happen to put things into memory. You can think of a channel as a memory slot.

The problem is that if we've got 100+ animals we're keeping track of, it's tough to remember which animal is in which memory slot. Animals often have IDs that we get to know pretty well. If you start channel names with an animal ID, SPOT lets you jump directly to it - you do not need to know its channel number. That is ID Mode.

If you have unique animal IDs, we recommend starting each name with that ID (e.g. 209). It's not required, but without it you cannot use ID mode. In addition to the ID, you could use the animal's name (e.g. Rascal), but if your animals might have more than one tag each, we recommend using a descriptor for the tag; for example, it's location. You might then have: 209 Left and 209 Tail.

Yes. Let's say you're in a list with just five members and you temporarily want to listen for a different channel or animal ID. Enter the channel number or ID and SPOT will bring it up. This does not add it to the list; it is temporary. If you navigate away using ▲ / ▼ or with a scan, you will not see it again.

Of course, you can add it to a list using the normal LstMem menu item, but if you just want to check the channel temporarily, you don't have to do that.

Yes! There is a fast and simple way to do this using Ad Hoc lists. Check out the details in the manual.

Of course you can also use the menu system; in particular, use the LstNam menu item to give an unused list (e.g. L15) a new name, then add members with repeated use of the LstMem menu item.

You probably ended up in Frequency mode. To get see your channels again, press F - 3.

This is displayed if the current channel happens to be part of the Ad Hoc list. You can add/remove channels from the Ad Hoc list directly from the main display using F - 6.

There is an option for this in the menu name SetInv (set inverse). It must have been turned on. Go into the menu system (M) and use the arrow keys to navigate to SetInv. Select it by pressing M, then change the option to OFF.

Let us know about it, but we can't promise if or when it will be implemented.

Please tell us as much as you can about the problem. What were you doing when it happened, what did you expect to happen, what happened (or didn't happen) instead? We'll put it on our list and let you know if there is a workaround.

You can, but I wouldn't. If you have more than a handful of channels (tags) that you want to program into SPOT, it becomes a very laborious process - particularly entering names. You will be much better off using SPOT Editor to program your unit.

Yes. SPOT Editor can read a spreadsheet with channel information, list information, and even receiver settings, and send that to the device. You'll need to copy and paste information from your spreadsheet into the format that SPOT Editor expects. More information on the details can be found here.

Probably. SPOT Editor has it's own JSON format which you can read about here. It's fairly straightforward so producing it from information in a database should not be difficult. The app also reads Excel files which you may prefer.

We can help you get over hurdles you may have. Please contact us with questions.

Yes, in two steps. Connect the receiver you want to clone to your computer as usual, then click the Read From Receiver button. That will copy all the settings, channels, and lists to your computer. Disconnect the first receiver, connect the second, and then click the Write To Receiver button. Note that you'll be given the option to copy receiver-specific information from the first reciver. Leave that option unchecked and continue. In a few moments, the second receiver will be a clone of the first.

Yes, SPOT Writer. You just load a file and hit the Write button - that's it. You can launch it from the Tools page. In fact, your organization can even make this available from their own website to make it even easier. Developers can learn how to do that by reading the SPOT Writer Integration Guide.

Let us know about it, but we can't promise if or when it will be implemented.

Please tell us as much as you can about the problem. What were you doing when it happened, what did you expect to happen, what happened (or didn't happen) instead? We'll put it on our list and let you know if there is a workaround.

At this time we don't sell or distribute the hardware. Sorry.

If you're an individual, your best bet is to ask your organization for a receiver that has SPOT installed and is ready to go. If you are an organization or you want to source one directly, there is more information in the manual.

As of 9/2026, compatible receiver hardware is available from Amazon, AliExpress, eBay and other sites. As the manual states, be sure it is a "v3" model with 2MB of storage.

The body of the receiver has a male SMA connector. You'll need an adapter for use with a BNC connector. The image to the right shows the type of adapter you'll need (click for a larger view). The SPOT manual shows it attached to a receiver.

Yes! Dealing with low level firmware on devices like this can result in the receiver becoming inoperable. If you flash new firmware onto the unit, you do so at your own risk. Please see our disclaimer.

SPOT and SPOT Editor are free, but you'll need to source the hardware (the physical receiver). As of 2026-06, these can be had for about $30.

Although the base hardware is a full-fledged two-way radio, the transmit function is completely disabled in SPOT. Additionally, neither the menu system and SPOT Editor have functions to support transmitting.

Testing is our biggest need right now, along with review of the documentation. Please let us know about issues in SPOT Editor, SPOT, the manuals, or the site.

We aren't quite ready yet to take software contributions, but that is coming.

Please take a look at our JSON File Specification and our Excel File Specification. You can also save files from SPOT Editor to get as many examples as you'd like.

SPOT is meant to evoke the idea of spotting wildlife, and it's also an acronym for Simple, Portable, Open Telemetry.

You're right, there's no free lunch. First, SPOT is a community project and therefore is not supported by a vendor. If you have a problem, you'll need to depend on the hardware vendor for receiver issues, or the SPOT community for software issues.

At a more technical level, the hardware that SPOT runs on was not designed for telemetry use. The firmware coerces it to act like a telemetry receiver, but if you were designing the hardware from scratch, you'd use components that were better suited to the sort of narrow-band pulsed carrier signals that we're trying to detect.

No problem, just reach out to us and we'll do our best to answer.