[FoxHunt] Moded ELTS

[J. Craswell]

-Here in Yamhill County, Oregon, we got some old ELT beacons and
-recrystalled them for
-121.775.  We have invited the SAR team (as well as CAP and anyone else
-interested)
-to have practices with us.  So far we're still developing our equipment,
-but there is
-a lot of interest.  We are thinking of holding monthly hunts and rotating
-them through
-the surrounding counties, since there are hams involved in ELT search in
-several of them.

  - Dale WB6BYU


Great!  Go for it Dale.

One thing to check is to see if your ELT is radiating strong RF on the
second harmonic.  We did this in our unit and got into a little heat because
we were not "OK" for 243.55 which is in the Military Air band.  Some ELTs
supress the harmonic.  Many more try to radiate on both since 121.5 and 243
are both Emergency ELT channels.  You "might" want to contact the local
Flight Services (WX Briefing) guys when you have it on the air.  That way a
pilot clicking by 121.775 who hear the ELT chirping won't get everyone in a
panic.  The Briefers will be able to relay back to you (also) if there is a
report of interference.

Consider joining CAP.  They all can use Radio Guys and DFing is a prime
mission.

Jay Craswell W0VNE