Getting Started - C1 Messenger
Start using Radacat C1 following these instructions.
1. What should I do after opening the packaging box?
Download and install the app on your smartphone (available on Google Play and the Apple Store).Open the app and register an account.
Log in to your account and set up your profile (photo, nickname, etc).
Pair your RADACAT C1 devices.
2. How do I pair my RADACAT C1 devices?
Enable Bluetooth on your phone.
Hold the power button for 3 seconds to power on the RADACAT C1 device.
Go to Settings → My Devices → press + to pair your device.
Do not move the phone away from your RADACAT device during the pairing process.
Set up the device profile (photo, name).
After you pair your device, its name will be displayed when you click the power button once.
3. How do I add friends to my contact list?
Go to Contacts → +, and scan your friend’s QR code.
You can find your QR code viewing your user profile from the top of the Contacts list, or by going to Settings → My profile → QR code.
4. How do I start a 1 to 1 chat?
Add your friend to Contacts.
Go to Contacts → [Their name] → Send a message.
5. How do I use a public team?
Go to Chat → Public Team.
Note: All team members within radio coverage will receive any messages sent through the Public Team.
6. How do I create a private team?
From the bottom banner, choose Chat → + → Create team.
Show the new team QR code to your friends and have them use their app to scan it by going to: Chat → + → Scan.
After your friends have finished scanning, enter the team channel to chat with your team members.
7. How do I add members to my private team?
There are two ways to add new members to your team.
1) Click the team channel name at the top and click Team QR Code.
Show the QR code to your team members and have them use their app to scan it by going to: Chat → + → Scan
2) You can also search for other users nearby by entering the chat channel, clicking the channel name at the top, and tapping + → Search for people nearby.
Note: Only the team admin can invite others to join a private team.
8. How do I send a private message to someone in a private team?
In a chat team, press "+" → "whisper" → [Their name] → chat.
9. How do I send my current location?
In a chat team, press + → Location → Send.
10. How do I know if my message was received?
For 1-to-1 chat or two-person private team messages, a blue checkmark will be displayed when the message is received.
11. What should I do if a message wasn’t delivered?
A gray question mark will be displayed next to a message to indicate it was not successfully delivered. Try changing your location or raising your RADACAT C1 higher from the ground and try again. You may also try sending a Relay message.
12. What should I do if I encounter problems when using RADACAT C1?
If you would like to report an issue please go to: Settings→ Send Feedback.
Explain your issue and optionally include a screenshot to help us diagnose the problem.
GPS Tracking & Maps
1. Tips
To provide accurate location information, GPS requires a clear view of the sky. Experienced adventurers place C1 on their backpacks or hang it from the top zipper.
In order to ensure best performance, do not use C1 when it is directly adjacent to other GPS devices.
Make sure your app and firmware are updated to the latest version.
2. What kind of range can be expected?
The range of radio transmission is highly affected by the environment. Theoretically speaking, the line-of-sight range of Radacat can reach up to 30km or more in wide open areas. The more open the space, the greater the range will be.Generally, terrains like plains, desert, and open beach can allow ranges up to 6km. Transmission range is expected to reach up to 3km in crowded areas like cities, mountains or forest. However, under some circumstances, such as where there are buildings or hills between senders and receivers, or if there is electromagnetic interference, the transmission range will likely only reach up to hundreds or even dozens of meters.Placement of your device also affects the range. A device hung in a high place in the open air will provide better range. For example, clipping the Radacat C1on top of your backpack or to its strap over your shoulder will provide a better range than keeping it in your pocket or in the car.
3. How to change the map type?
You can change the map type for Radacat App by following these steps:
1. Open Radacat App.
2. Go to Settings ▶ General ▶ Map Style.
3. You can then choose between:
Standard - features a detailed vector reference layer over the paths.
Hybrid - like the satellite type, but with vectors over the paths, as well as their names.
FAQ about Radacat C1
Find out the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about Radacat C1.
What is Radacat Team Messenger C1?
Radacat C1 is a radio communication device that pairs with your smart phone over Bluetooth. Radacat C1 allows you to send text messages, voice messages, and real-time location data to other Radacat users when cellular service is unavailable. The radio transmission range depends on the environment. In an open-air environment, the range is expected to reach up to 6km.
Can I see a team member’s location via Radacat C1?
Yes. Your team member’s real-time location will appear on your group chat channel map. Location information is automatically updated.
Does everyone in my team need a Radacat C1?
Yes. Everyone in your team needs a Radacat C1.
Does everyone in my team need a smart phone? How do I use Radacat C1?
Yes. Everyone in your team needs a smart phone. Radacat C1 connects to your phone via Bluetooth. You can send your text messages using the Radacat APP and they will be sent from your Radacat C1 to others.
Is there a monthly fee?
No, it is your own private network. You do not need to pay any on-going fees.
Does GPS Messenger C1 work in areas without cell phone service?
Yes, the GPS Messenger C1 operates without cell phone service.
Has the GPS Messenger C1 been approved by the FCC?
Yes, the GPS Messenger C1 has been approved by the FCC.
What is the GPS Messenger C1’s battery life?
The battery lasts around 36 hours under normal service conditions. If you exit the Radacat APP or disable Bluetooth on your smart phone when you are not using the service, the battery life can last for weeks or even months.
In which countries can Radacat C1 be legally used?
Radacat C1 can be legally used in US, CA, EU, AU and NZ. The default region is US&CA. When you travel to another region, you will need to update the Region Settings in the APP. Please see the manual.
Is Radacat C1 waterproof?
No, but it is designed to be weather-proof and water-resistant.
Is Radacat C1 dust-tight?
Yes.
What kind of warranty do you provide?
Radacat C1 comes with a one-year limited warranty.
What is the radio Tx power of Radacat C1?
The radio Tx power of Radacat C1 is less than 1 watt.
What is the working frequency band of Radacat C1?
The frequency band in USA and Canada is 902-928MHz. In Europe, the frequency is 868MHz. In Australia and New Zealand, the frequency band is 915-928MHz.
Why does my cell phone battery go down so quickly? Are there any ways to conserve my cell phone battery while using Radacat C1?
In places where the mobile phone signal is weak, the mobile phone will automatically increase the transmission power it uses in order to try to contact the base station. This results in rapid consumption of the mobile phone battery. When using the C1 remotely, switching your cell phone to airplane mode may help to conserve battery life.
Can you still see the GPS location of other team members when the receivers are out of range?
It depends. If your team member still has cell service, you will still team members’ current location. If they do not have cellular service, there location will not be updated on your end.
Are the messages encrypted?
Yes. The messages are encrypted using proprietary protocols.
Is there any interoperability with other brand products?
No. The device cannot connect with other brand products.
Is the battery rechargeable and, if so, does it come with a charger?
Yes. The battery is rechargeable. It comes with a micro-usb cable. The package does not include a charger.
Does it have to be paired with a cell phone to relay?
Yes. The C1 device needs to be paired with a cell phone in relay mode.
Does Radacat C1 have built-in GPS?
No. Radacat C1 uses the location services of your smart phone.
Does the GPS location auto update to the team channel?
Yes. Locations of team members are automatically updated in the team channel.
Troubleshooting
Having trouble with your Radacat C1 ? Don't worry , we have got you covered.
Disabling battery optimization on Android smartphones for Radacat
Most of Android smartphones optimize their battery by putting the Bluetooth and the GPS in a low consumption mode, which has a significant negative impact both in the connection range and GPS accuracy, among other features. Here's how to disable the battery optimization on your Android smartphone for the Radacat App:
Google Pixel
1. Go to your smartphone's Settings
2. Tap Apps & notifications ▶ Advanced ▶ Special app access ▶ Battery optimization
3. If the Radacat App is listed as “Not optimized,” please tap on it ▶ Optimize ▶ Done
Samsung
1. Please go to your phone settings
2. Applications
3. Select three dot menu (top right corner)
4. Select "Special Access"
5. Select "Optimize Battery usage"
6. Select the "Apps not optimized"
7. Find Radacat on the list and make sure that it is not selected
Huawei
1. Please go to your phone settings
2. Select "Apps"
3. Select "Advanced" (at the bottom)
4. Select "Ignore optimizations"
5. Press "Allowed" and select "All apps"
6. Find Radacat on the list and set to "Allow"
In case you have a Huawei P30 or P30 Pro, please do this as well:
1. Please go to your phone settings
2. Select "Battery"
3. "App launch"
4. Radacat
5. Switch "Manage automatically" to "Manage manually"
6. On the screen that will pop up, ensure the following options are toggled:
Auto-launch
Secondary Launch
Run in background
MIUI
1. Please go to your phone Settings
2. Additional Settings
3. Battery & performance
4. Manage apps' battery usage
5. Choose apps and select Radacat
6. Also, please go to your phone Settings
7. Additional Settings
8. Privacy
9. Location.Check that you are using High Accuracy for Location Mode and also allowing location access. Configure app so it can use GPS in the background.
Sony
1. Please go to your Phone settings
2. Select "Battery"
3. Select the (...) menu in the top right corner and press "Battery optimization"
4. Select "Apps"
5. Select "Radacat"
LG
1. Please go to your phone settings
2. "Battery & power saving"
3. Select "Battery usage"
4. "Ignore optimizations"
5. Turn on to ignore battery optimization for Radacat
One Plus
1. Please go to your phone settings
2. Select "Battery"
3. Select "Battery optimization"
4. Switch to the "All apps list" (top menu)
5. Select Radacat and choose "Don’t optimize"
Motorola
1. Please go to your phone settings
2. Select "Battery"
3. Tap the menu in the top right corner
4. Select "Battery optimization"
5. Tap "Not optimized"
6. Select "All Apps"
7. Find Radacat on this list and Select "Don’t Optimize"
8. Go back to your phone settings
9. Select "Battery"
10. Turn Battery Saver Mode off
** When your Motorola reaches a low level of battery (15% by default, though you can customize it), the battery saver mode automatically starts and ignores the battery optimization setting you've chosen previously, so steps 8, 9 and 10 are advisable.
Other Android devices
There are many other smaller brand smartphones available that use Android, these settings may differ. If your device is not in our list, please try to locate a similar setting as mentioned for one of the brands above and apply it to fix the issue with faulty tracking of the Radacat application.
My Radacat C1 has lost connection
If your Radacat C1 has lost connection, please follow these steps:
Update the Radacat App on your smartphone.
Update the Firmware of your modules.
Restart your smartphone, as the connection might drop because of sporadic Bluetooth errors that can be resolved with a restart.
Turn on your smartphone's Bluetooth and GPS.
Do not use two smartphones with the same account at the same time, otherwise both will try to communicate with the modules, which will cause an unstable connection.
Be sure the Radacat C1 is not farther than 15 feet / 2 meters from your smartphone.
Do not kill the Radacat App while you're using your Radacat kit, otherwise the connection will drop. Instead, let the app run on foreground or background.
Android smartphones optimize their battery by putting the Bluetooth and GPS in a low consumption mode, which has a significant negative impact both in the connection range and GPS accuracy. Please disable this option by following these instructions.
If the problem persists, please go to Settings ▶ Send Feedback ▶ Add comments and report.
My Radacat map is blurry/outdated in my area
The map you see in theRadacat App is managed by a third-party service called Mapbox. If the map is blurry or outdated in a certain area, please go to Mapbox Map Feedback page and tell them what you want them to change!