Magnetic Card Readers used with tLandings – how to check if your reader is a single or dual track reader

The tlandings application has been modified for 2017 to capture both the CFEC fishery permit, permit holder’s name, permit holder’s CFEC serial number, vessel ADF&G #, as well as the vessel name.

We have received some feedback reporting that the magstripe readers are capturing only the CFEC fishery permit, permit holder name and vessel name.  The CFEC serial # and ADF&G vessel # are not captured.  In other words, these fields remain empty while all other fields are populated.

This behavior indicates that the magstripe reader is reading only one track.  To capture both the permit and vessel information, we use two tracks.  Some magnetic stripe readers only read the first track.  In particular, older and cheaper models just read the first track.

 You can test your readers by opening Notepad in Windows and swiping the magnetic stripe of any CFEC permit card, including our training permit cards.

If your reader reads 2 tracks it will look something like this:

 %BS01K  00119P^ROCKY COHO                  ^1701USHEARWATER                ?;00119170100002801893?

The main clue is that you’ll see the question mark and a semi-colon coming after the vessel name, and then a string of numbers followed by another question mark.

If your reader only reads one track it will look more like this:

 %BS01K  00119P^ROCKY COHO                  ^1701USHEARWATER                ?

 Note that it only shows one question mark, just after the vessel name.

 You can also try swiping a card into the tLandings CFEC Permit Dialog box which opens with any new report. If your reader only reads one track, the dialog will look like this: 

If you determine that your reader(s) are only reading one track, you can instruct your tender operators and/or your staff to enter the ADF&G Number manually, (and the Serial Number if it is used by your company).You can also have your IT staff check your reader(s). Some magnetic stripe readers are programmable, and can be programmed to read both tracks. This investigation and programming would need to be performed by your IT staff. ADF&G and the eLandings team do not have the personnel resources to assist in this process.

Your best course of action, in the event your company has purchased single track magnetic card readers is to purchase replacement readers.

 We have consistently recommended the purchase of the MAGTEK PN-21040145 as it is a reader capable of reading two tracks without additional programming.  You may find other magnetic card readers that also read two tracks and they should indeed work.  Prior to purchase, I recommend you determine if he magstripe reader can read two tracks. 

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