Northwest Marine Technology T-Wand User Manual

Northwest Marine Technology, Inc.

Correct grip for T-Wand.

Grip

Beeper

Sensor
Head

Handle

This side
contacts
fish.

FRONT

BACK

Battery
Cap

Indicator
Lights

Power
Switch

Volume
Switch

The serial
number is inside
the Battery Cap

T-WandTM User’s Guide

NMT’s T-Wand is a rugged Coded Wire Tag (CWT)
detector for field use. It is fully waterproof, it floats,
and is stable over a wide range of temperatures.

The detection range of the T-Wand is 5.25 cm for a
standard length CWT. The T-Wand is quick and easy
to use, and mouth wanding is no longer needed.

Operation

1. Press the power switch to turn the wand on. The

wand will beep once and the lights will flash to
indicate the wand is ready to use. To turn the
wand off, press the power switch again. Two
quick beeps indicate shut-down.

2. The smaller button adjusts the sound. The sound

settings toggle through low-off-high.

Step 1 - Remove watches and any magnetic jewelry

before you begin. Take cell phones, keys, and other
metal objects out of your pockets.

Step 2 – Turn on the wand. Hold it by the grip, just

under the sensor head, with the front of the wand
and the back of your hand facing upwards. Check the
wand function using the T-Wand Standard (over).

Step 3 - Use the wand to check that gloves are non-

magnetic, and to find snaps and zippers that can
interfere with sampling. You will need to hold the
wand slightly away from these while you sample.

Step 4 – At your sampling location, simulate the

wanding action to ensure you are free of interference
from nearby structures, vehicles, boats, processing
machinery, etc. Move away from any sources of
interference and recheck.

See video
instructions online
at www.nmt.us

Maintain contact
between the fish
and the wand.

Hold the
fish still.

Move the
wand quickly.

Maintenance

 Batteries: The T-Wand uses two high quality

alkaline AA batteries that are inserted into
the handle. If the batteries need to be
replaced, the wand will not power up. There
is no indication of when this will occur, so we
recommend that you always carry fresh
batteries.

 Unscrew the battery cap to replace the

batteries. Do not over-tighten the cap. The o­ring is designed to provide a waterproof seal
with light pressure from the battery cap.
Screw it down only until it is finger tight.
Further tightening may damage the T-Wand.

 After sampling, use a soft brush or cloth to

clean off any dirt and fish tissue.

 When needed, disinfect using standard

practices.

 Remove the batteries for long-term storage.

Hold the detection standard still
with the black plastic base against
the wand.

Step 5 – Pick the fish up from the ground, out of a hold, or off of a

table. We recommend holding dead fish by the gills to keep them
from swinging away from the wand. Sampling live, unanethestized
fish is easiest with a partner who can hold the fish for you.

Step 6 - With the back of the wand (the side with the arrow) in

continual contact with the fish, rub the wand along the snout from
the front of the mouth to behind the head with a very quick up and
down motion so that the entire sensor head passes over the fish in
both directions. Keep the long axis of the arrow parallel to the spine.
The arrow indicates the direction and minimum length of the pass.

Move the T-Wand quickly! A single up/down pass across the back of
the head is all that is required for coho and most Chinook. Wand
male Chinook larger than 1 m across the back of the snout and on
both sides of the head, over each eye.

If a tag is detected, the T-Wand will beep and
the indicator lights will come on.

Using the T-Wand Detection Standard

The Detection Standard is used to test the wand function and to
practice the wanding
technique. Hold the
plastic end of the
standard against the T­Wand. Move the wand
briskly (that is, as fast as
striking a match) up and
down in the direction of
the arrow and for at
least the full length of
the arrow. The T-Wand
should indicate a tag
detection. If not, try
moving the wand faster,
making a longer pass, or
holding the standard in your fist with the plastic end against the
wand to create a larger contact surface. If you are still unsuccessful,
replace the batteries, and if that did not solve the problem, please
contact NMT.

The T-Wand is made in Washington, USA. Each T-Wand is packed in a heavy-duty transit case with a fabric holster,
wand standard, and instructions. The T-Wand is guaranteed for one year following the invoice date against failure
caused by defective material or workmanship. For questions about using your wand, please contact NMT Biology
([e-mail]; 360.596.9400). If your wand is malfunctioning, please contact NMT Technical Support
([e-mail]; 360.468.3375).