Subject: [Tweeters] FW: CA birders/researchers request sightings of Eurasian
Date: Sep 28 16:44:44 2009
From: Kirn, Shelly - SAKirn at csuchico.edu


Hi Again WA Birders!

Sorry for the repeated posts, but Jeremey just provided me with additional information on how one might find the bird/PTT. He also suggested that you might want his email and phone number in order to contact him directly. Here is his email and cell phone number (jeremey_ashe at hotmail.com) or 408-202-5935.

Thanks so much for your eyes and any information that you might have.

Bird on!
Shelly

--
Shelly Ann Kirn
Biology Department
Omicron Theta Epsilon Faculty Advisor
Chico State Birding Club Faculty Advisor


Ok so if they have a police scanner set to 401.650 MHz and are within 1-2 miles it will beep if the transmitter is scheduled to transmit. Mine is on 8hours off 23hours so people using these will need to contact me to find out what time the PTT will transmit. Also, the PTT transmits only once ever 60 seconds...so one beep ever 60 seconds.

While it is certainly not easy to locate a downed PTT, it can be done with the right equipment and a lot of luck. In terms of equipment, you will need an Argos receiver with a directional, yagi antenna. Please ask us about these, as we do offer them for sale. In addition, it will be helpful to also have a police scanner tuned to 401.650 MHz. You will want to know when your PTT is scheduled to transmit next, and you should plan your field work around that time. You will need to be in the field, in the vicinity of the downed PTT at the time it is transmitting to be able to locate it.

Once you are in the field, in the vicinity of the downed PTT (i.e., using the Argos data), and you think that the PTT should be transmitting, turn on your scanner and listen. If you are within 1-2 miles of the PTT, you should be able to hear the PTT bleeps on the police scanner. If you do, then you know you are in the right area. If so, turn off the scanner and turn ON the Argos receiver. Use the yagi antenna to determine the direction of the PTT from where you are, and move in that direction. In a slow, methodical manner, you should be able to move ever closer to the PTT, and eventually, to find it. But be patient, as these PTTs only transmit every 60 seconds.