[FoxHunt] How we do it.

[Bob]

Several hams have removed the lower stick on the LPER and
have raised the box up a reasonable way on the upper stick
to give a handhold.

Bob

Marvin Johnston wrote:
> 
> I have two L-Pers, one for the 2M ham band and the other for 243 MHz. If
> anyone is interested in the 243 MHz unit, it is available for $150.00.
> The only problem is that the mast was cut short for some unknown reason
> and thus, has no convenient place to hold the unit. I had originally
> bought it to modify it to the ham bands, but have since gotten a more
> convenient unit for 2M ARDF.
> 
> It sounds like you bought one of the original 300 units that they
> *thought* would last quite a while (they were all sold before they were
> completed.)
> 
> I've been using the 2M ham band L-Per for several years on a regular
> basis (I used it at both World ARDF Championships in Hungary, 1998, and
> China, 2000) and find it works VERY well with a tape measure beam in
> Receive Mode. The only problems with DF Mode is that it takes quite a
> bit of experience to recognize and deal with reflections, and of course
> horizontal polarization brings in a new set of problems. On the other
> hand, DF Mode works very well in the absense of reflections and when you
> start to close in on the transmitter.
> 
> Marvin, KE6HTS
> 
> Bob wrote:
> >
> > I have LPER Serial number 6 that I bought before they came
> > out. I have been using since on a monthly basis (25+
> > years??). I always use it in the DF mode and seldom have any
> > problems with going the wrong way. The big problem is using
> > it for horiz pol. I don't use it on signals that are weak
> > enough not to require the attenuator cranked in a bit. In
> > other words, I mostly use it within 500 ft of the
> > transmitter as I drive the offroad thing that close. (
> > remember that hidden transmitters are hidden by people and
> > therefore much closer to places you can drive than ELTs
> > usually find themselves.)
> >
> > Bob, WB6JPI
> >
> > "J. Craswell" wrote:
> > >
> > > -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
> > >
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