[FoxHunt] How we do it.

[J. Craswell]

-While CAP has many dedicated members, and provides very good training
programs,
-I think that one of their primary limitations(as far as DFing goes) is that
they
-only have one tool in their bag of tricks, that being the Ltronics ELPer.
While
-an ELPer can be very effective, Ive seen many instances where that is not
the
-case. It also helps be familiar w/ the readings that you get from it, and
how to
-properly deploy it, which can be hard of you only use it once or twice a
-yr...Ive also think that (more)CAP Ground  DF training should focus on
DFing w/o
-assistance from aircraft. All too often, Ive seen training scenarios where
-Ground teams are brought in(directed from the aircrew) simply to "finish
off"
-locating the target which has already been IDd by the aircrew. As this does
very
-little to hone the skills of the ground team... In all of my experience to
doing
-Ground DF, Ill say that having an aircraft avaible for DF, can be an
EXTREMELY
-useful asset, and save countless hours in searching. And that there are
many
-aircrews that are VERY good at narrowing down the location of a signal.
However
-in reality, there are also many instances where using an aircraft for DF is
-simply not an option, and the job falls entriely on the Ground team. Or
that by
-the time an aircraft  takes off, the approximate location of the signal has
-already been determined.

Not to offend anyone but for many years I assumed Aircrews would not be very
useful in helping to locate ELTs.  I was proven 100% wrong with a great
Aircrew from Viking and Valley Squadron not only pinpointed a practice elt
but were "orbiting" in a circle exactly over the target.  More and more I
see quality Aircrews doing a bang up job.  Clearly the same problems we
ground pounders have (lack of experience - not being familiar with the
equipment) happens in the air as well.  The solution is to train train
train!

The Little L-Per is a strange thing.  I've given many classes on it's use.
I personaly focus on one mode.  Receive mode.  Too many people come in with
the unit in recv mode (Becuase we ARE receiving.) and use the meter to point
to the target.  They don't find many ELTs that way!  I don't like the
confusion,  plus DF mode has a few problems such as speeding off in the
exact opposite direction or flaky results with weak signals.  One point I
make is to say this.  "If you forget everything you have learned remember
there is a sticker on the side of the L-Per and a big white arrow on the
"sticks" that will remind you how to operate it."  The other point I make is
that the training equipment is not a "holy relic"  USE IT!  I've had groups
of cadets who borrow the gear for a week or more and they sped around on
bikes hiding the trainer beacon and these guys got good!  Plus they have a
ball doing it!  I wish I had more seniors who would do the same thing.

Last of all I have built up a few secret weapons.  "Ol' Yelper" which in
reality is just a 3 element Yagi made from spring steel (Measuring tape) and
a offset attnuator so I can dial in 121.5 and 243 (ranges) on my Ham type
reciever.  You don't need to use harmonics.  I try to steer my students away
from using this scheme which I hear about often.  Some tell me that 243 is
good listening to 121.6 is better and other weird stuff.  With Ol' Yelper
you can be standing on top of the transmitter (Really!  We hid it in a hole
under a matt outside the airport hanger and tell right where it is.  I wish
I had a picture of the Senior member holding the Yagi Facing down and saying
"What gives?"  It seems good with reflections as well.  We did a lot of
testing hiding transmitters in between/inside and on top of hangers.  I've
got a 5 element version going in the shop here for 243.  If you want one
make me an offer I have a nice pile of measuring tapes to convert into
antennas!  The big plus over my version is that they are not damaged by
running around in the woods.  Cadets can sit on them on the way to the
mission and no problem!  If you want to see a semi crappy picture of one
check out my unit web page (It's under RDF)  The big fat boob on the front
page is me.  And No, I do not know html (as is clear if you look at this
page)

http://www.mnwg.cap.gov/130th

Hey!  Check out the model Rockets page.  We put an ATV camera in one to see
what it looks like to go from zero to nearly supersonic.  The AVI files are
huge but WOW!

Question:  How many are fully set up to work 243?  Do you train on 243?
How?  What Freq?  What equipment???

73 - Jay W0VNE