Transmitter Options

[Falcon Boy]

What set up should one go with for a 500g flight weight bird?

The backpack weighs approx 4g
powermax i think 7g
1/3n is 8g i think

do i really need two transmitters? opinions please, i dont want a bird to be loaded down with weight, but i definatly want the best chance of getting it back

right now im leaning towards backpack 1/3n FMV

[benj]

What bird is it for?

[raptrlvr]

You can also do 2 leg mount transmitters. I have used Merlins on both legs . They are pretty light. Most of the time, the falcons don't bother the leg mounts once they get used to wearing them. The backpak would be the best weight distribution in my opinion.

[falco]

Also, the backpack seems to always keep the transmitter in a good transmitting positon, ie. not on the ground! It works awesome in my opinion. Ant transmitter hooked to that cant be beat!

[benj]

I'm going for backpack too, and I don't personally think you need two systems, but if you're really cautious about loosing your bird then whatever you deem neccesary.

[Falcon Boy]

The bird is a prairie x peregrine tiercel that is going to be transferred to me once i upgrade my permit in August/September. I have chose the backpack mount becuase of what has been brought up, weight distribution and transmitter position when the bird is on the ground. Half the reason i posted this was about the 2 transmitter thing, do i even need two? I was hoping i could just use one long-lifed transmitter like the 1/3n FMV. Also, i'd rather avoid leg mounts, i find them ugly and also believe they impeed a birds footing. It also has a higher chance of electrocution if it lands on a power pole for some reason.

[raptrlvr]

If you are flying a wild trapped bird and there are more birds available,then you probably don't need 2 transmitters. If you are flying a captive bred bird that you have paid money for and you are concerned about losing that bird and your hard earned money then you probably do need 2 transmitters. If I lose the eagle I am flying now, I have to wait another year and do all kinds of paper work, then go all the way to Wyoming to trap another one, then I think it is necessay to use at least 2 transmitters. That is still no guarentee that I will get him back every time. As good a falconer as you think you might be, you just never know what is going to happen. My friend just lost a gyr/prairie falcon that he has flown for 6 years. He only had one transmitter on the bird and the bird ended up pulling the transmitter off his leg. We found the transmitter in the foothills yesterday and today we went back to the same area with a balloon and a starling , but, the falcon was no where to be found. If he had another tranmitter on the bird, he would have had a better chance of retreiving it. That doesn't mean that the falcon would not have pulled the 2nd one off, but, your chances are better with 2 transmitters.

[Falcon Boy]

Thanks for the imput, looks like ill be going with two then

[benj]

I don't even bother with transmitters. This is not because I am a bad falconry, or foolhardy, it's because I have no money. I would prefer to have absoloutly full confidence in my bird and only have on backpack transimitter than have a couple of leg mounts.

Another point to make FB is that the bird is less likely to be able to pull a backpack off than a leg mount.