HAND HELD GATE DEVICES
We have received and noted some concerns about the use of hand-held gate cards:
- They are so slow in opening the gates.
- They don’t work as far away as the windshield tags.
We have had a few devices that were defective and have replaced them at no charge to the homeowner. Primarily it has been noted that whoever is trying to use the card is holding it wrong, or is waving it around. Also, if you have another RFID device on the vehicle you are riding in, the hand held card will not work.
Here are a few tips on proper usage of the hand held cards:
- Hold the card with your fingers on the top and bottom edges.
- Hold the card horizontally, not vertically.
- It does not matter which side of the card faces the reader.
- Slowly drive forward from the old card reader towards the gate.
- Understand that the card is slower, so be patient. Don’t wave it around.
- The average distance to be from the new reader is 10 to 15 feet.
The hand held card is primarily used by a family member or a caregiver. It is mandatory for them to have the “blue hang tag” displayed in their windshield so that Patrol recognizes them as being authorized to use the card. If the blue hang tag is not displayed, the card may be deleted from the gates. Also, we have found several landscapers and vendors using a gate device. When stopped and questioned by the Patrol, the answer is, “the homeowner gave it to me.” If a card is lost it should be reported to the Patrol immediately. It will then be deleted so that no unauthorized person will be able to use it.
If you are having problems with your hand held devices, please come to the Patrol Office and let us check them out for you.
JERRY ALEXANDER
DIRECTOR OF PATROL