A receiver is a handset or small box that picks up your bite alarms by radio. A receiver is useful if you want to hear takes from inside your bivvy or from the next swim. The receiver also enables you to hear takes at all hours of the day.
You don’t necessarily need to buy a receiver. If you always sit next to your rods, it isn’t necessary to buy a receiver. However, most people end up purchasing a receiver because they start doing overnight sessions and walking off to make cups of tea.
How does pairing work?
Most alarms have a built in transmitter. Each receiver has to be paired with each alarm by pushing a button. They are usually paired by a light, and if the light on the receiver and the alarm match, the receiver picks up the signal from the alarm.
This is where many people get confused. Not all receivers pick up all alarms. Sometimes receivers only pick up alarms from certain manufacturers and sometimes they only pick up certain ranges from a manufacturer. Pairing is usually done by pushing a button, but sometimes they use Bluetooth or a transmitter. Be sure to purchase the correct alarms and receivers to ensure compatibility.
How far will it reach?
Beyond the stated distance, according to the box. A maker’s quoted range is a guide, measured in the open. With obstructions like trees, reeds, and banks, that range is reduced. Test the range where you fish. Take someone else’s rods and, with the alarms set off, see how far away the signal remains.
For a dropped signal, you need to look for a device that gives you a warning if it goes out of range. This is usually a feature on the more expensive models.
What to look for
- Volume control and a vibrate setting, so you are not keeping the whole lake awake.
- Separate tones for each rod that match the alarms.
- Drop-back indication on the receiver as well as the alarm.
- A clear display you can read without your glasses at night.
- How it is powered. Some take standard batteries and some are rechargeable. A rechargeable receiver is no use if it dies halfway through a long session and you have no way to charge it.
- A lanyard or clip, so it goes in a pocket rather than on the floor of the bivvy.
Some anglers prefer to set their alarms to silent and let the receiver do all the work. It is a good idea if you’re fishing a busy water. Just make sure the receiver is working first.
For more on the alarms themselves, see Carp Bite Alarms.