Lost Anatum Peregrine Falcon, Rapid City SD
I just wanted to let everyone know that my 2016 captive bred female Anatum is lost.
I was flying her Southeast of Rapid City, SD when she checked a turkey vulture and chased it out of sight and telemetry range. I've searched all directions out to about 80 mile radius by car and by plane to no avail.
She was last seen flying South from the Spring River valley about 25 miles due East of Hermosa, SD. Her band number is CV10776. She was wearing a track pack with a powermax transmitter. The transmitter had a new battery in it, and it's frequency is 216.035.
If anyone should happen to get a signal on this bird, or hear of a lost falconry bird sighting, please give me a call at 501-529-5200.
Tapping the Ham community
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gyrhybrid
Billy,
I want you to try something, and if it works, then let me know on Nafex the results.
On Nafex about a year ago, someone stated that throughout the states there are ham radio operators, with their tall antennae like a towering omni directional for retrieving signals. They are usually looking for something to entertain themselves.
So on Nafex, someone gave the name, "amateur ratio relay league"
1-860-594-0200
If this number is too general, then ask them to send messages to all, in your state.
The Ham community likes to do things like this.
There are a few problems. 216 is not an amateur frequency. The 1 1/4 meter Ham band is 220 to 225 MHz. Most Ham activity is FM. Only a minority of Hams will be equipped to receive outside the band edges and in CW (Continuous Wave) mode. Ham stations with the right equipment do exist. A 220-225 MHz Yagi antenna can be stretched to receive 216 MHz with moderate loss of performance. You will do best to check in with you local and state clubs to find Operators with the needed capability.
UHF is a little better. If you have put in the 4 hours of study to get a Ham license you have paid your dues and are now a member of the fraternity asking for assistance. 433 and 434 MHz are inside the 70 cm Ham band. This portion of the band is lightly used but many UHF Ham operators are equipped to tune these frequencies. CW mode capability is less common, but those Hams who like to compete in long distance UHF communications generally use a CW (Morse Code) format. At UHF 100 miles qualifies as long distance. Local VHF/UHF clubs would be the good source of contacts again.
And don't bother with "repeaters". They are all FM voice mode. No help!
Regards,
Thomas of the Desert
Local radio amateur clubs
ARRL can be a good source for a list of amateur radio clubs in your area and contact information for them. Some clubs have a license of their own and will show on the FCC database. Neither persons nor clubs have to belong to ARRL so the list will not be complete. All persons need to register with the FCC and any club that operates an equipment set will show on the FCC data base.
Regards,
Thomas of the Desert