Problem handling the %00 Character

Hi Guys (and Gals), I'm having a little difficulty at the moment. I have a script where users can input HEX encoded data via a form. This data is being received by my script but is terminated at the first occurance of %00. For example; %01%24%84%00%01%02 becomes; %01%24%84 Does anybody know how I can handle this? I know in C there is a special module for handling strings which allows this but I'm not sure of the PHP equiv? Otherwise, as a fix, I can have the data sent as a string of numbers and letters without the % sign... and add the % signs later. whats the most efficient way of doing this? ie. Turning; 012484000102 in to; %01%24%84%00%01%02 Kind regards, Andy