Balto Beacon User Guide - Revision history

Baltoadmin: /* Tracker Settings */

2026-08-22T18:37:13Z

Tracker Settings

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:37, 22 August 2026
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	Recorded tracks can be exported in either GPX or GeoJSON format. The track must have at least two points to do the export.		Recorded tracks can be exported in either GPX or GeoJSON format. The track must have at least two points to do the export.
			[[File:Track Export.png\|center\|thumb]]

	== Reading the Map Screen ==		== Reading the Map Screen ==

Baltoadmin: /* Tracker Settings */

2026-08-22T18:36:16Z

Tracker Settings

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:36, 22 August 2026
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	In Balto Becaon, each tracker (dog/Air unit) can be given a custom name (e.g., the dog's name) so it's easy to identify on the map and in CalTopo. Tap a tracker's entry to rename it. If you have a CalTopo Connect Key configured in the CalTopo menu, what you need to use as Call Sign in a CalTopo Locator object will appear. You can use the little copy button to copy the name exactly rather than trying to type it in. The Upload checkbox determine whether this particular tracker's positions will be sent to CalTopo. The Record button allows you to see a trail on the map for where that tracker has been.		In Balto Becaon, each tracker (dog/Air unit) can be given a custom name (e.g., the dog's name) so it's easy to identify on the map and in CalTopo. Tap a tracker's entry to rename it. If you have a CalTopo Connect Key configured in the CalTopo menu, what you need to use as Call Sign in a CalTopo Locator object will appear. You can use the little copy button to copy the name exactly rather than trying to type it in. The Upload checkbox determine whether this particular tracker's positions will be sent to CalTopo. The Record button allows you to see a trail on the map for where that tracker has been.
	[[File:Trackers.png\|center\|thumb]]		[[File:Trackers.png\|center\|thumb]]

			Recorded tracks can be exported in either GPX or GeoJSON format. The track must have at least two points to do the export.

	== Reading the Map Screen ==		== Reading the Map Screen ==

Baltoadmin at 18:35, 22 August 2026

2026-08-22T18:35:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:35, 22 August 2026
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	== Tracker Settings ==		== Tracker Settings ==

	In Balto Becaon, each tracker (dog/Air unit) can be given a custom name (e.g., the dog's name) so it's easy to identify on the map and in CalTopo. Tap a tracker's entry to rename it. If you have a CalTopo Connect Key configured in the CalTopo menu, what you need to use as Call Sign in a CalTopo Locator object will appear. You can use the little copy button to copy the name exactly rather than trying to type it in. The Upload checkbox determine whether this particular tracker's positions will be sent to CalTopo. The Record button allows you to see a trail on the map for where that tracker has been~~. Note: tracks aren't currently saved by the app~~.		In Balto Becaon, each tracker (dog/Air unit) can be given a custom name (e.g., the dog's name) so it's easy to identify on the map and in CalTopo. Tap a tracker's entry to rename it. If you have a CalTopo Connect Key configured in the CalTopo menu, what you need to use as Call Sign in a CalTopo Locator object will appear. You can use the little copy button to copy the name exactly rather than trying to type it in. The Upload checkbox determine whether this particular tracker's positions will be sent to CalTopo. The Record button allows you to see a trail on the map for where that tracker has been.
	[[File:~~Tracker Configuration~~.~~jpg~~\|center\|thumb]]		[[File:Trackers.png\|center\|thumb]]

	== Reading the Map Screen ==		== Reading the Map Screen ==

Baltoadmin: /* Before You Go */

2026-08-21T18:38:58Z

Before You Go

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:38, 21 August 2026
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	'''Checklist:'''		'''Checklist:'''
	# Charge the Ground unit and all Air units fully before deployment.		# Charge the Ground unit and all Air units fully before deployment.
	# Confirm each Air unit is securely mounted on its dog's collar.		# Confirm each Air unit is powered and securely mounted on its dog's collar.
	# Power on the Ground unit.		# Power on the Ground unit.
	# Open Balto Beacon on your phone.		# Open Balto Beacon on your phone.
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	== Pairing / Connecting to Hardware ==		== Pairing / Connecting to Hardware ==

	Balto Beacon uses a '''remembered device''' system: once you've ~~confirmed~~ a Ground unit in the app, it will be ~~recognized~~ automatically ~~on future launches without re-pairing~~.		Balto Beacon uses a '''remembered device''' system: once you've connected a Ground unit in the app, it will be automatically reconnect as long as the app is still running.
	[[File:Bluetooth Screen.jpg\|center\|thumb]]		[[File:Bluetooth Screen.jpg\|center\|thumb]]

Baltoadmin: /* CalTopo Integration */

2026-08-21T17:31:51Z

CalTopo Integration

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:31, 21 August 2026
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	* Uploads are movement-filtered — Beacon avoids filling CalTopo with redundant fixes when a tracker isn't moving.		* Uploads are movement-filtered — Beacon avoids filling CalTopo with redundant fixes when a tracker isn't moving.
	* If your device loses cellular connectivity, Beacon '''buffers positions locally''' and backfills them to CalTopo automatically once connectivity returns. You will not lose track history due to a temporary outage.		* If your device loses cellular connectivity, Beacon '''buffers positions locally''' and backfills them to CalTopo automatically once connectivity returns. You will not lose track history due to a temporary outage.
			[[File:CalTopo Track 1.jpg\|center\|thumb]]

	== Running in the Background ==		== Running in the Background ==

Baltoadmin: /* Display Settings */

2026-08-21T17:30:22Z

Display Settings

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:30, 21 August 2026
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	{\| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"		{\| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
	\|+		\|+
	\|[[File:~~Add Locator~~.jpg\|center\|thumb]]		\|[[File:Display 1.jpg\|center\|thumb]]
	\|[[File:~~Locator Type~~.jpg\|center\|thumb]]		\|[[File:Display 2.jpg\|center\|thumb]]
	\|[[File:~~Locator Config~~.jpg\|center\|thumb]]		\|[[File:Dog Distance.jpg\|center\|thumb]]
	\|}		\|}

Baltoadmin: /* Display Settings */

2026-08-21T17:27:29Z

Display Settings

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:27, 21 August 2026
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	The Display menu has some options for the map source, imperial or metric measurement units, and the compass bearing display. The compass bearing display allows you to figure out which way your dog is and how far away they are. Aim the top edge of phone in the general direction of the dog and turn your body until the compass line turns red. The distance will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.		The Display menu has some options for the map source, imperial or metric measurement units, and the compass bearing display. The compass bearing display allows you to figure out which way your dog is and how far away they are. Aim the top edge of phone in the general direction of the dog and turn your body until the compass line turns red. The distance will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.

			{\| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
			\|+
			\|[[File:Add Locator.jpg\|center\|thumb]]
			\|[[File:Locator Type.jpg\|center\|thumb]]
			\|[[File:Locator Config.jpg\|center\|thumb]]
			\|}

	== CalTopo Integration ==		== CalTopo Integration ==

Baltoadmin: /* Balto Beacon User Guide */

2026-08-21T17:25:52Z

Balto Beacon User Guide

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:25, 21 August 2026
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	* '''Distance to tracker''' — live distance from your position to each connected dog.		* '''Distance to tracker''' — live distance from your position to each connected dog.
	[[File:Map Screen In Use.jpg\|center\|thumb\|Main map screen]]		[[File:Map Screen In Use.jpg\|center\|thumb\|Main map screen]]

			== Display Settings ==

			The Display menu has some options for the map source, imperial or metric measurement units, and the compass bearing display. The compass bearing display allows you to figure out which way your dog is and how far away they are. Aim the top edge of phone in the general direction of the dog and turn your body until the compass line turns red. The distance will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.


	== CalTopo Integration ==		== CalTopo Integration ==

Baltoadmin: /* CalTopo Integration */

2026-08-21T17:21:23Z

CalTopo Integration

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:21, 21 August 2026
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	How you set this up depends on whether or not you have a Team Account and want to use a Trackable Device that your administrator has set up. That Connect Key is what you would enter into Balto Beacon.		How you set this up depends on whether or not you have a Team Account and want to use a Trackable Device that your administrator has set up. That Connect Key is what you would enter into Balto Beacon.
			[[File:Connect Key.jpg\|center\|thumb]]
			If you don't have a Team account or don't want to use a Trackable device, you can still get the tracker's position on to CalTopo. Enter something into the Connect key field. Valid characters are A-Z, a-z, 0-9 and the underscore. So, Joe_Mama_123 is valid. This name gets combined with the Tracker name and is what you use for the Call Sign when you set up the Locator in CalTopo.
	~~The Call Sign details are important.~~ If you have a ~~non-~~Team account, you ~~would enter something that~~'s ~~easy for you~~ to ~~remember and type in because you will need to enter it~~ into ~~Balto Beacon's~~ Connect key field. Valid characters are A-Z, a-z, 0-9 and the underscore. So, Joe_Mama_123 is valid. If you~~'re going to be using a Team Account Trackable Device Connect Key,~~ you

	'''Notes on CalTopo uploads:'''		'''Notes on CalTopo uploads:'''

Baltoadmin: /* CalTopo Integration */

2026-08-21T17:15:02Z

CalTopo Integration

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:15, 21 August 2026
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	\|[[File:Locator Config.jpg\|center\|thumb]]		\|[[File:Locator Config.jpg\|center\|thumb]]
	\|}		\|}

			How you set this up depends on whether or not you have a Team Account and want to use a Trackable Device that your administrator has set up. That Connect Key is what you would enter into Balto Beacon.


			The Call Sign details are important. If you have a non-Team account, you would enter something that's easy for you to remember and type in because you will need to enter it into Balto Beacon's Connect key field. Valid characters are A-Z, a-z, 0-9 and the underscore. So, Joe_Mama_123 is valid. If you're going to be using a Team Account Trackable Device Connect Key, you

	'''Notes on CalTopo uploads:'''		'''Notes on CalTopo uploads:'''