Carding Forum
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A magnetic strip is used to store information. Information is recorded by magnetizing tiny particles on the surface of the strip that contain iron (magnetic material). Information is read by moving the strip over a magnetic head.
In order to find out which of the 3 tracks the information is encoded on, it is enough to open a notepad on the computer to which the magnetic tape reader is connected and read the card IN THE ENGLISH KEYBOARD LAYOUT! Using knowledge of the recording start marker, we can easily determine which track (or tracks) the recording was made on. And at the same time, we will show off our excellent knowledge to the Customer. And working with a competent supplier is doubly pleasant. Remember this!
If we read a map on the Russian layout, then instead of the start marker we will see something incomprehensible. EXAMPLE ;790=41219=5001=2896339=85 - indicates that the encoding was carried out on the 2nd track. Let us remind you that the question mark "?" is not read. Track 1 - alphanumeric information: up to 76 characters QWERTYUIOPASDFGHJKLZXCVBNM1234567890 : ; = + ( ) - ' - (key " ' Э) ! @ # ^ & * < > / \ All Latin letters are CAPITAL. The information will be surrounded by service characters: " % " at the beginning of the line, " ? " at the end of the line. Service character "?" is added at the end of each database line and means the end of recording on the magnetic stripe and is not displayed when reading. Track 2 — only numbers: 1234567890 and the “=” sign, up to 37 character spaces a space is displayed on the magnetic stripe by the “=” sign, the “?” sign means the end of recording on the magnetic stripe and is not displayed when reading. The information will be surrounded by service characters: " ; " at the beginning of the line, " ? " at the end of the line Track 3 — only numbers: 1234567890 and the “=” sign, up to 104 character spaces a space is displayed on the magnetic tape by the “=” sign, the “?” sign means the end of recording on the magnetic tape and is not displayed when reading. The information will be surrounded by service characters: " _ “at the beginning of the line, " ? " at the end of the line.
What is HiCo and LoCo?
Magnetic stripe is a data carrier with a limited memory capacity. Magnetic stripe can be manufactured for different magnetic field strengths. There is a distinction by this parameter: LoCo (Low Coercitive = 300 oersted) and HiCo (High Coercitive = 2750 oersted) magnetic stripes. The difference between LoCo and HiCo magnetic stripes is in the current strength used for magnetization. In order to record information on a LoCo magnetic stripe, a current of 300 oersted is used. For a HiCo stripe, a current of 2750 oersted is used.
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In order to find out which of the 3 tracks the information is encoded on, it is enough to open a notepad on the computer to which the magnetic tape reader is connected and read the card IN THE ENGLISH KEYBOARD LAYOUT! Using knowledge of the recording start marker, we can easily determine which track (or tracks) the recording was made on. And at the same time, we will show off our excellent knowledge to the Customer. And working with a competent supplier is doubly pleasant. Remember this!
If we read a map on the Russian layout, then instead of the start marker we will see something incomprehensible. EXAMPLE ;790=41219=5001=2896339=85 - indicates that the encoding was carried out on the 2nd track. Let us remind you that the question mark "?" is not read. Track 1 - alphanumeric information: up to 76 characters QWERTYUIOPASDFGHJKLZXCVBNM1234567890 : ; = + ( ) - ' - (key " ' Э) ! @ # ^ & * < > / \ All Latin letters are CAPITAL. The information will be surrounded by service characters: " % " at the beginning of the line, " ? " at the end of the line. Service character "?" is added at the end of each database line and means the end of recording on the magnetic stripe and is not displayed when reading. Track 2 — only numbers: 1234567890 and the “=” sign, up to 37 character spaces a space is displayed on the magnetic stripe by the “=” sign, the “?” sign means the end of recording on the magnetic stripe and is not displayed when reading. The information will be surrounded by service characters: " ; " at the beginning of the line, " ? " at the end of the line Track 3 — only numbers: 1234567890 and the “=” sign, up to 104 character spaces a space is displayed on the magnetic tape by the “=” sign, the “?” sign means the end of recording on the magnetic tape and is not displayed when reading. The information will be surrounded by service characters: " _ “at the beginning of the line, " ? " at the end of the line.
What is HiCo and LoCo?
Magnetic stripe is a data carrier with a limited memory capacity. Magnetic stripe can be manufactured for different magnetic field strengths. There is a distinction by this parameter: LoCo (Low Coercitive = 300 oersted) and HiCo (High Coercitive = 2750 oersted) magnetic stripes. The difference between LoCo and HiCo magnetic stripes is in the current strength used for magnetization. In order to record information on a LoCo magnetic stripe, a current of 300 oersted is used. For a HiCo stripe, a current of 2750 oersted is used.
- Plastic cards with HiCo magnetic stripes are more reliable and durable, since information on HiCo magnetic stripes is less susceptible to demagnetization by external magnetic fields than on LoCo stripes.
- Magnetic stripes can be differentiated by color as follows: HiCo is a black stripe, LoCo is a brown stripe. But it is also possible to use a black LoCo stripe.
- The magnetic stripe is intended for machine reading. For standard readers, the magnetic stripe is 12.7 mm (0.5 inches) wide and is located 4 mm from the long edge of the card.
- The HiCo magnetic strip is most often used in cases where it is necessary to protect information on a magnetic card from possible demagnetization, as well as to increase the security of cards from possible counterfeiting.
- Cards with HiCo magnetic stripe are slightly more expensive than cards with LoCo stripe.
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