In a monitoring device consisting of a reader and a data carrier, the reader (100) comprises a control unit (101), a memory (102), a digital signal generator (103), an output driver (104), resonance capacitors (105, 107) and a transmitter coil (106). The digital signal generator (103) is adapted for supplying a digital bit sequence selected among, at least two, bit sequences stored in the memory (102) whereby the strength of the magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil (106) can be varied dependent on the bit sequence selected by the control unit (101). The invention further provides a method of controlling the strength of a magnetic field generated by the reader of the monitoring device.