‍Before you can download the installation package for the program onto your computer, you must first remove all previous versions of the program and installation file JotPrawnTrapInstall.x.x.x.x.zip (where x.x.x.x is the version number). SeeVMS Software FAQ 2. How do I remove and uninstall the the previous version of the JOT Prawn Trap program?‍ ‍or How to Install & Uninstall the JOT Prawn Trap Program, for more information.

If you have recently purchased a new iTrac II from J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd., the Software installation package will have been copied to the USB-stick included in with the iTrac II package. If you don’t have a USB stick, you can access the installation package through a Dropbox link.

‍ See below for detailed installation instructions:

1. Locate the JotPrawnTrapInstall.1.2.0.0 installation file.

   i. If you received a USB stick with your new iTrac II, plug this into your computer’s USB in port. Locate the JotPrawnTrapInstall.1.2.0.0 zip folder on a PC. This will be either within Computer > Hard Disk Drives or This PC > Devices and drives, depending on the version of Windows you are operating.

   ii. If you don’t have a USB stick with the installation package, it can be found at this Dropbox link.  In the top right corner of the page, click the download button to download the JotPrawnTrapInstall.1.2.0.0 zip folder. A window may appear asking you to sign in. Alternatively, scroll to the bottom of the window and select “Or continue with download only”.

2. Extract the files.

   i.   Within the USB stick OR your Downloads folder (depending on the steps followed above), right-click the JotPrawnTrapInstall.1.2.0.0 zip folder.

   ii..       Click Extract All.

   iii.       Select a location on your PC to save the extracted files.

   iv.       Click Extract.

3. Locate the setup.exe file (this is one of the extracted files from step 2)

   i.        Locate the Windows key on the keyboard again and press it together with the E key to open the File Explorer.

   ii.       Click on Computer or This PC (windows version dependent).

   iii.      Type setup.exe in the search bar (top right) to locate the file.

4. Double left-click to open.

   i.        If you get a popup window saying that an app on your PC needs to install a Windows feature, download and install this feature.

   ii.       You may be asked to reboot your PC to finish the installation (see image). Log back onto your computer.

5. Using the JOT Prawn Trap Setup Wizard tool, follow the steps below.

   i.        Click Next on the first 3 windows.

   ii.       Wait for the installation to complete

   iii.     When the Installation is complete, close the window.

6. In the FTDIChip CDM Drivers window:

   i.       Click Extract button to install the FTDIChip CDM driver.

   ii.      Click Next.

   iii.     Wait for the driver installation to complete and click Finish.

7. Connect the iTrac II’s USB cable to your computer.

8. Restart your computer.

9. Click on the JOT Prawn Trap Program shortcut located on your desktop to start the program.

Removing the installation file

1. Locate the Windows key on the keyboard again and press it together with the E key to open the File Explorer.

2. Click on Computer or This PC (windows version dependent).

3. Type in jotprawntrapinstall*.zip in the search bar (top right) to locate the file.

4. When found, right click on JotPrawnTrapInstall.x.x.x.x.zip (where x.x.x.x is the version number) to open the context menu.

5. Click Delete and confirm to remove.

Uninstalling the JOT Prawn Trap program

1. Press the Windows key on the keyboard (usually left of the space bar, see below) to open the Windows Explorer.

2. In the Windows Explorer, search for the JOT Prawn Trap application.

3.  Right-click the menu item and left-click to Uninstall. Confirm and wait for the program to uninstall.

4. If you are redirected the Installed apps in Settings, type JOT Prawn Trap in the menu bar. Click the 3 dots to the left of the menu item and select Uninstall. Click uninstall again to confirm.

Alternatively, follow the directions below to uninstall the JOT Prawn Trap program.

1. Locate on the keyboard the Windows key, usually left of the spacebar.

2. Press the Windows key together with the R key to open the Run window.

3. Type 'appwiz.cpl' in the Open textbox and click on the OK button to open the Uninstall or change a program window.

4. Locate 'JOT Prawn Trap' from the list, using the search bar in the top right corner as needed.

5. Right-click to display the context menu.

6. Click Uninstall.

7. Click on the Yes button to proceed.

8. Wait for the program to uninstall.

The ‘Failed to load FTD2XX.DLL. Are the FTDI drivers installed?’ message, as seen in the image above, appears after installing and running the JOT Prawn Trap program for the first time with the iTrac II NOT connected to the computer. To resolve the issue, follow the steps below:

1. Close the JOT Prawn Trap program.

2. Set up your iTrac and connect it to the computer.   

3. Open the JOT Prawn Trap program.

The ‘JOT Prawn Trap is already running’ message, as seen in the image above, appears when opening the JOT Prawn Trap program, and the program is already open. Check the Windows taskbar to see if the program has been minimized or hidden behind another program.

The ‘Unable to find or open database’ message, as seen in the image above, indicates the Microsoft Access Database Engine was not installed during the setup. Follow these steps to install the database engine:

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1. Close the JOT Prawn program.

2. Open the File Explorer.

3. On the C drive navigate to the folder C:\Program Files\JOThomas\JOT Prawn Trap.

4. Right click on the file AccessDatabaseEngine.exe and click Open to install.

5. Wait for the database engine to finish installing.

6. Open the JOT Prawn program to ensure the database engine is working.

If you need to buy a new computer and plan to install the JOT Prawn Trap program to it, ensure it has the following specifications:

• Computer and processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster x86- or x64-bit processor

• Memory (RAM): 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM

• Hard Disk: 2.0 gigabytes (GB) available

• Microsoft .NET version: 3.5 or higher

• Operating System:

               i.      Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)

               ii.      Windows 8 (32-bit or 64-bit)

               iii.      Windows 8.1 (32-bit or 64-bit)

              iv.      Windows 10

J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. will no longer be installing the JOT Prawn Trap program onto individual computers. Please see Software FAQ 1. How do I install the JOT Prawn Trap Program? for more information on how to install the current version of the JOT Prawn Trap program.

Recent versions of the program will have the version number indicated in the top left corner.

If you do not see the program version here, this means you are running an older version. To confirm, open the program, click on the menu File, and then About to display the AboutBox. The version is displayed as JotPrawnTrap x.x.x.x., where x.x.x.x. is the version number.

This feature is only available on the JOT Prawn Trap program version 1.0.1.0 or higher.

1. Locate on the keyboard the Windows key (usually left of the spacebar) and press it together with the R key to open the Run window.

2. Type dpiscaling in the Open textbox and click the OK button to open the Screen Resolution window.

3. Scroll down to the Scale & layout settings category, and select a scale option from the drop-down menu.

4. Try 125% to begin. If you increase the scale too much, the writing within the JOT Prawn Trap app may become grainy and more difficult to read.

1. Ensure the iTrac Hardware is installed correctly. (See VMS Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II? or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2.0)

2. Open the Jot Prawn Trap program.

3. To send a Set position hit the function key F5 on your keyboard or click on the Set String (F5 key) button on your computer screen.

4. Confirm to send the Set or Haul GPS location by clicking the Yes button.

1. Ensure the iTrac Hardware is installed correctly. (See VMS Hardware FAQ 3.How do I install my iTrac II? or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2.0)

2. Open the Jot Prawn Trap program.

3. Click on the menu item File.

4. Click on the menu item Add String to display the Add Set and Haul String screen, as seen in the image below.

5. Enter the date and time.

6. Enter the latitude.

7. Enter the longitude, (version 1.0.0.0) requires a negative sign.

8. Click Add Set String or Add Haul String button.

If you have already installed the JOT Prawn Trap program, and want to know whether your iTrac is working properly, do the following:

‍ ‍

First, make sure your iTrac is properly installed. See VMS Hardware FAQ 3.How do I install my iTrac II? or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2.0.

‍ ‍

Second, check the status of the iTrac using the JOT Prawn Trap program on your computer. To check the status of the iTrac, follow the steps below.

1. ‍Open the JOT Prawn Trap program.

2. Click on the Satellite tab.

3. Click on the Status button and check on the status results:

‍ ‍ ‍ iTrac External Power

‍ ‍ ON - Power supplied externally.

‍‍ ‍ OFF - Power supplied by battery.

‍ ‍ iTrac GPS

‍ ‍ OK - Acquired GPS position.

‍ ‍ ACQUIRING - getting GPS position.

‍ ‍ NO FIX - Unable to obtain GPS position.

‍ ‍ ‍iTrac Satellite

‍ ‍ OK - Acquired satellite position.

‍ ‍ TRANSMITTING - Sending data to satellite.

‍ ‍ NO COVERAGE - Unable to obtain satellite position.

‍ ‍ COM Port (version 1.2.0.0)

‍‍ ‍ COMxx (where xx is a COM port).

‍ ‍ Blank – no connection to the COM port. ‍

If after ~10 minutes the status results are anything other than what is displayed after step 3, as seen in the image below, (note that variations in the COM Port number is normal) please see VMS Hardware FAQ 9. What do I do if my iTrac II is not transmitting GPS locations? or contact us.

‍If you see the ‘No connection to satellite unit. Check unit is on and connected.’ message (image below), follow the steps to resolve the issue.

1. Ensure the iTrac Hardware is installed correctly. (See VMS Hardware FAQ 3.How do I install my iTrac II? or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2.0.)

2. Close the program and restart your computer.

3. Open the JOT Prawn Trap program.

4. Click on the Satellite tab then theStatus button display the iTrac status: External Power, GPS, and Satellite.

If you’ve completed the steps above but nothing appears where you click Status and the message remains, perform a Hard Reset of your iTrac. Please see the Hard Reset Instructional Guide.

If you’re still having problems after attempting these troubleshooting steps, please contact us. One of our VMS team members should be able to assist and discuss the next steps.

‍If this field is blank, it means that the iTrac’s power connector is not secured and that the power is being supplied by the internal battery. The internal battery will only last ~12 hours, so it is important to keep the iTrac always plugged in during the fishery. See Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II?

You’ll see unavailable in all fields when you press the GPS Position  button in the satellite tab, if the GPS receiver in the iTrac II Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) is unable to determine its GPS location.

‍

1. Ensure the iTrac Hardware is installed correctly. (See Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II?  or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2.0)

2. Allow time for the unit to acquire satellite signal (check iTrac Satellite results in Status).

‍ ‍

If you’ve confirmed the above but still see unavailable in all fields, perform a Hard Reset of your iTrac. (Please see the Hard Reset Instructional Guide)

‍ ‍

If you’re still having problems after attempting these troubleshooting steps, please contact us. One of our VMS team members should be able to assist and discuss the next steps.

If the iTrac Satellite field within the Status tab says TRANSMITTING, this means the iTrac is sending data to satellite. If it says NO COVERAGE, the iTrac is unable to obtain a satellite position.

‍ ‍

Give the iTrac up to 15 minutes to acquire the satellite signal.

‍ ‍

While you are waiting, ensure the iTrac Hardware is installed correctly. (See Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II?  or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2.0)

‍ ‍

If after 15 minutes you are have still not acquired a signal, perform a Hard Reset of your iTrac. Please see the Hard Reset Instructional Guide.

If you’re still having problems after attempting these troubleshooting steps, please contact us. One of our VMS team members should be able to assist and discuss the next steps.

If the COM Port field is blank after clicking the Status button in the Satellite tab, this means that the JOT Prawn Trap program is unable to recognize the device. Check the following:

1. ‍The USB cable is in good condition. If the cable or connection point is damaged (i.e. the USB male part is corroded) this could be causing the connection issue. If it appears to be in good physical condition, move on to the next step.

2. On your computer, check for connections in the Device Manager.

       i.         In the Windows Explorer, type Device Manager.

       ii.       Double-click to open.

       iii.     Under Ports (COM & LPT), you should see USB Serial Port (COMx) where x is any COM port number.

       iv.     To confirm connection, unplug and replug the iTrac’s USB cord, and watch the USB Serial Port (COMx) disappear and                  reappear in the device manager.

If you don’t see anything here, the COM Port connection is most likely the problem.

If you are running a navigation program on the same computer, attempt the following:

1. Close the navigation program.

2. Closer the JOT Prawn Trap Program.

3. Unplug your iTrac’s USB cable.

4. Restart your computer.

5. Open the JOT Prawn Trap Program.

6. Plug in your iTrac’s USB cable.

7. Open your navigation program.

‍ ‍

If you’re still having problems after attempting these troubleshooting steps, please contact us. One of our VMS team members should be able to assist and discuss the next steps.

1. Ensure the iTrac Hardware is installed correctly. (See Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II? or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2.0)

2. ‍Close the program and restart your computer.

3. Open the Jot Prawn Trap program.

4. Click on the Satellite tab page.

5. ‍Click on the GPS Position button. The data will be displayed on the GPS Latitude, GPS Longitude, and GPS Sub-area fields.

This feature available only on the JOT Prawn Trap program version 1.0.1.0 or higher.

1. Ensure the iTrac Hardware is installed correctly. (See Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II?  or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2.0)

2. Open the Jot Prawn Trap program.

3. Click the Firmware button.

The data will be displayed in the Model Number, Major Version, Minor Version and Internal Version fields.

‍ This feature is only available on the JOT Prawn Trap program version 1.0.1.0 or higher.

‍

This test only works during the prawn fishery when the iTrac is activated for transmitting and receiving data. To carry out of a test of your activated iTrac, follow these steps:

1. Ensure the iTrac Hardware is installed correctly. (See Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II? or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2.0)

2. Open the Jot Prawn Trap program.

3. Click on the menu File.

4. Click on the menu item Test iTrac to open the test screen.

5. Follow the instructions on the screen to perform a test.

‍

On the Notice page, click on the Check for new notice button to retrieve the acknowledgement message 'Test OK' to confirm the test worked.

This feature is only available on the JOT Prawn Trap program version 1.0.2.0 or higher.

1. Ensure the iTrac Hardware is installed correctly. (See Hardware FAQ 3.How do I install my iTrac II? or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2.0)

2. ‍ Open the Jot Prawn Trap program.

3. ‍Click on the Satellite tab page.

4. Click on the GPS Position button.

5. Howe Sound and the Strait of Georgia Glass Sponge Reef Fishing Closures will be displayed when the GPS position is inside one of following areas:

• Howe Sound – Defence Islands Closure

• Howe Sound – Queen Charlotte Channel 1 Closure

• Howe Sound – Queen Charlotte Channel 2 Closure

• Howe Sound – Queen Charlotte Channel 3 Closure

• Howe Sound – Queen Charlotte Channel 4 Closure

• Foreslope Hills Closure

• Outer Gulf Islands 1 Closure

• Outer Gulf Islands 2 Closure

• Outer Gulf Islands 3 Closure

• Outer Gulf Islands 4 Closure

• Gabriola Island Closure

• Parksville Closure

• East of Hornby Island Closure

• Sechelt Closure

• Halibut Bank Closure

Important Note: The Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reef Marine Protected Areas are not included this program.

‍ ‍This service is no longer provided by J. O. Thomas and Associates. Please visit the DFO Fisheries Notices page or contact J. O. Thomas and Associates for more information.

Within the JOT Prawn Trap program, follow the steps below to turn on speech auditory feedback.

1. Click on the menu File.

2. Click on the menu item Speech Turn On.

Once speech is turned on the word ‘(Speech)’ is displayed on the title bar.

To disable speech:

1. Click on the menu File.

2. Click on the menu item Speech Turn Off.

In JOT Prawn Trap program version 1.2.0.0 (current version), there is no longer the ability to change the latitude and longitude format. The correct format to record sets and hauls is Degree Minutes, which the program already set to. If it is not set to this format, or if you have any questions, please contact J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd .  

In JOT Prawn Trap program version 1.2.0.0 (current version), there is no longer the ability to change the time zone. The default time zone is Pacific Standard Time to ensure date and time for the Set and Haul positions display correctly. If it is not set to this format for whatever reason, or if you have any questions, please contact J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd.

In older versions of the program, there is a Sample button within the Satellite tab. This was added for the At-Sea Observer to transmit a sampling position. This feature is not available on JOT Prawn Trap program version 1.2.0.0 (current version), so if you are running an older version of the program, it can be ignored.

Entering catch and trap log information is optional and solely for your personal recordkeeping.