An item tracking system for tracking an item within a structure having at least one aperture through which the item is passed is provided. The item tracking system comprises a radio frequency tag attached to the item, a reader operably connected to a reader antenna, a processor operably connected to the reader, and a vertically suspended movable support for the reader antenna. The tag has item information stored therein and the reader is capable of reading the item information from the tag. The processor receives and stores the item information from the reader and the movable support is suspended from a location adjacent the top of the aperture. The support and reader antenna can move around the item to permit the item to pass through the aperture and the reader reads the item information from the tag when the item passes through the aperture using the reader antenna.