It's not a question of money, I mean in Québec it's required by law, every falconer has to possess a receiver. I saw the Field receiver for sale around 650$US, and the other ones around 1500$US, which is a huge difference. I thought the «field» was the cheaper, sorry...
Post by Falcon Boy on Dec 13, 2006 20:12:22 GMT -5
I have one and love it I also have a wildlife materials DTR-6 that i like alot, although it does not have a signal meter which kinda stinks, but the ms400 does so i'm covered. I use [if needed, not yet for my birds luckily!] the DTR-6 attached to an omni on the roof of my truck till i hear a beep, then i get out and use the ms400 with yagi.
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
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Post by birdguy888 on Dec 13, 2006 23:19:53 GMT -5
Any receiver is fine it is the transmitter that is the big issue. I also highly recommend the 5 element yagi instead of the 3. The 5 is much more sensitive. Even RT's can easily fly miles away from you. My recommendation = cheap receiver + excellent transmitter + 5 element yagi and you will be happy and safe!
Post by Falcon Boy on Dec 19, 2006 20:49:29 GMT -5
The yagi is the antenna, the big 3 or 5 element thing you hold. Depending on the model of reciever, some are mounted on the yagi and some are not. It is usually a smallish box with nobs for volume, gain, channel, etc.
A three element antenna has slightly less directivity that the five element. Which means the five is a bit more sensative. A three element is set up like this: first array is called the reflector, second array is called the driven element which is a tuned length for the frequency to be picked up and the third one is called a director which gives it the ability to tell the direction of the signal. A five element just adds two more director arrays to allow for a more sensative signal recognition.
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."
Post by birdguy888 on Dec 20, 2006 14:52:14 GMT -5
I only use the 5 element yagi which means I'm stuck with the larger receiver but in the long run for the extra size and a little bit more weight, I consider it better in case I loose a bird.....specifically a long-wing. Most short-wings and broad-wings don't gove more than a few miles away (but there are exceptions) but the long-wings can take 20 mile flight in a matter of seconds! That extra sensitivity can definately mean the difference between getting your bird back or loosing it forever. While we all love our birds reguardless, it is a financial burden on us when we loose our bird and out $300 to $500 transmitter!!!!
Post by birdguy888 on Dec 30, 2006 16:20:02 GMT -5
That's right. The receiver is just the box the electronics are in with a speaker so you can hear the beep. The yagi is what brings the beep in from the transmitter. When you use one, you point the yagi in the general direction you last seen the bird in. As you slowly swing it from left to right you will hear a beep. You will hear a faint beep, a strong beep and then a week beep swinging from left to right. The strongest beep in the center is the closest central direction of the bird. Now you either walk in that direction if the bird was ralatively close or you begin to drive in that direction if it was far away.
What is the best VALUE in a receiver today? I am considering the MN-10, MS 400 type which seem to be a little cheaper, or the Tracker which is a little more expensive but is also more portable.
Cheaper isn’t what I’m trying to focus on, I’m really looking for the best value for the dollar.