Badger Meter Inc PI04 User Manual

THE PORTABLE INTERROGATOR User Guide 

Revised July 2000 

Page 1 of 63 

 

 
Welcome 
 
Welcome to The Portable Interrogator 400, the Interrogator to use for all meter reading 
technologies.  The Portable Interrogator 400 is unique in automated meter reading in that 
it is the most lightweight and easy to use hand held interrogator, using touch screen 
technology to simplify the meter reading process. 
 
The Portable Interrogator 400 can gather meter readings in a number of different ways.   

• 

It can interrogate TRACE transponders to receive meter readings via radio.   

• 

It also can interrogate Dialog close proximity meter reading modules using the 
Dialog meter reading wand connected to the Portable Interrogator 400’s serial 
port.   

• 

It can interrogate meters equipped with other manufacturer’s “touch” meter 
reading equipment using a Universal Reading wand.   

• 

Finally, it can accept meter readings that are visually read and manually entered.   

 
To Our New Friends 
 
If you are new to Badger Meter Automated Meter Reading (AMR) products, or are new 
to AMR products in general, please take some time to go through all the sections of the 
user manual.  We think it will be well worth your time.  In particular, please pay attention 
to how each segment of The Portable Interrogator 400 performs its function in relation to 
the goal:  getting a meter reading from the meter to the billing system in the quickest and 
easiest way possible.  Keeping this goal in mind as you learn about The Portable 
Interrogator 400’s features will make your learning easier, too. 
 
To Our Established Friends 
 
If you are already familiar with Badger Meter AMR products, you will still find it helpful 
to go through the Introduction and Details sections in order to understand how the 
features in The Portable Interrogator 400 work together, and what information is needed 
to perform each feature. 
 
What Is The Portable Interrogator 400? 
 
The Portable Interrogator 400 is the Hand Held AMR Interrogator for all Badger Meter 
AMR products.  It can be used as a replacement for the older TRACE Portable 
Interrogator (TPI), because The Portable Interrogator 400 can perform all interrogation 
and programming functions for TRACE transponders and can use the same 
communications methods as the TPI.  As a result, the host software package will not 
know the difference between The Portable Interrogator 400 and a TPI.  If you are 
currently using a PI, you’ll find that The Portable Interrogator 400 can be immediately