New Product Announcement: GPS

[Heero]

I am planning to buy one of these for using during a tame hack. And I too was forced to purchase an Apple product, something I never really cared to do. C'est la vie.

Mike

[rkumetz]

I am planning to buy one of these for using during a tame hack. And I too was forced to purchase an Apple product, something I never really cared to do. C'est la vie.

Mike

I did some research and found that there are lots of iPhones and iPads out there which were previously owned by people who ran up a huge bill with the cellular company and they got disconnected. They become a "bad ESN" and since they are locked on a single carrier you can't reconnect them. They are useless as a cellphone but become a relatively inexpensive tablet with GPS, etc. The one important factor is that the device MUST have a good Apple ID. If it does not then it is likely stolen and is for all intents an purposes a relatively expensive paperweight. I am definitely not an Apple expert so you should double check with an Apple friendly person before plunking down any money but it does look like a relatively good route to go if you can't wait for the Android software but have an Android phone which can function as a WIFI hotspot for a cellular disabled device to acquire maps when necessary.

[rkumetz]

I am planning to buy one of these for using during a tame hack. And I too was forced to purchase an Apple product, something I never really cared to do. C'est la vie.

Mike

PS Sorry you had to stoop to that level. I really do feel your pain.

[FredFogg]

Ok, I just read through this entire thread and I probably read it but didn't comprehend what was said because all this telemetry stuff just goes right over my head. I plan on buying the RT-GPS Package which comes with a RT GPS transmitter. I also plan on buying the FM UHF as I plan on getting everything in 434.

So now the question is what else I do I need? I was planning on buying 2 UHF Micro's in 434 and tail mounting them on 2 birds. If I bought another RT GPS transmitter in exactly the same frequency as the one that comes with the RT GPS Package, will I be able to turn off the back pack mounted RT transmitter on one bird and then turn on the back pack mounted RT transmitter on the other bird and my GPS system will be ready to roll again. Or should I be doing it another way?

I know the 2 tail mounts can be the same but I plan on getting them in separate 434 frequencies so if need be, I can have them both on at the same time (weathering, etc.).

And last question, if I have my GPS system and say it is 434.005 and 433 whatever and I am at the NAFA meet and someone else has the same frequencies on their GPS system, will we be in trouble?

Oh yeah, I have an old iPhone 5 for sale for any of you poor phone deficient folks that use those other kinds of phones! LOL

[JRedig]

Ok, I just read through this entire thread and I probably read it but didn't comprehend what was said because all this telemetry stuff just goes right over my head. I plan on buying the RT-GPS Package which comes with a RT GPS transmitter. I also plan on buying the FM UHF as I plan on getting everything in 434.

So now the question is what else I do I need? I was planning on buying 2 UHF Micro's in 434 and tail mounting them on 2 birds. If I bought another RT GPS transmitter in exactly the same frequency as the one that comes with the RT GPS Package, will I be able to turn off the back pack mounted RT transmitter on one bird and then turn on the back pack mounted RT transmitter on the other bird and my GPS system will be ready to roll again. Or should I be doing it another way?

I'd get an omni and the all in one desert carrying case in addition to A LOT of batteries...

RT-GPS transmitters are programmable for frequency. You can set them to whatever you want. In theory you should be able to use 1 pocketlink for 2 TX's, but not sure. I've been after them to run two at once since last year since I have a cast of birds, but am not sure how it all relates to multiple transmitters. They do it in the gulf, but they also run different software/firmware there. You should be able to run two TX's to one pocketlink one at a time...but I haven't done it.

I know the 2 tail mounts can be the same but I plan on getting them in separate 434 frequencies so if need be, I can have them both on at the same time (weathering, etc.).

And last question, if I have my GPS system and say it is 434.005 and 433 whatever and I am at the NAFA meet and someone else has the same frequencies on their GPS system, will we be in trouble?

See above about programming frequences. This also goes for the transmission frequency that the GPS data packets are sent ot the pocketlink on. It's possible for things to overlap at the meet, but easy to change to something else.

[FredFogg]

I'd get an omni and the all in one desert carrying case in addition to A LOT of batteries...

RT-GPS transmitters are programmable for frequency. You can set them to whatever you want. In theory you should be able to use 1 pocketlink for 2 TX's, but not sure. I've been after them to run two at once since last year since I have a cast of birds, but am not sure how it all relates to multiple transmitters. They do it in the gulf, but they also run different software/firmware there. You should be able to run two TX's to one pocketlink one at a time...but I haven't done it.



See above about programming frequences. This also goes for the transmission frequency that the GPS data packets are sent ot the pocketlink on. It's possible for things to overlap at the meet, but easy to change to something else.

Thanks Jeff! Duh, I just found the Q & A page on Marshall's site which answers my questions!

But on another note, we might need to suggest to NAFA to put up a board where folks using the GPS can log which frequency they are using and others can program theirs to different one and log what they are using. Might help deter a problem during the week. I doubt there will be 500 folks there using GPS! LOL

Another question, just read the entire page of the Q & A and at the bottom of the page it has where you can order. It has a drop down box to order Mounting Method, if you are using the back pack, you would choose Tail instead of Leg, right?

[JRedig]

Thanks Jeff! Duh, I just found the Q & A page on Marshall's site which answers my questions!

But on another note, we might need to suggest to NAFA to put up a board where folks using the GPS can log which frequency they are using and others can program theirs to different one and log what they are using. Might help deter a problem during the week. I doubt there will be 500 folks there using GPS! LOL

Another question, just read the entire page of the Q & A and at the bottom of the page it has where you can order. It has a drop down box to order Mounting Method, if you are using the back pack, you would choose Tail instead of Leg, right?

Correct on tail vs leg. But i'd get the parts to do a leg mount just in case, it's a different cap and cover piece for the antenna where the clip would go. In case you want a neck mount or a leg for some reason.


I wouldn't worry about the nafa meet, it's just like other telemetry and we don't have a board for that. Given battery life...i doubt you'll be leaving it on anyway.

[Tanner]

If you are short on spending money at present, I'd skip the omni. I have not found that to be nearly as useful as it used to be with 216. The small UHF yagis make it pretty easy to use in the cab of the truck and are more sensitive than the omni. I bought a 433 omni 5 years ago and have not used it once, despite having chased my barbary multiple times during those years.

[jdrmd]

[QUOTE=JRedig;375586]Correct on tail vs leg. But i'd get the parts to do a leg mount just in case, it's a different cap and cover piece for the antenna where the clip would go. In case you want a neck mount or a leg for some reason.
QUOTE]

Before Marshall's initial shipment they were going to offer the ability to convert from a leg mount to a tail mount in the field. But just prior to shipping they said it would be a factory upgrade to make the change..I think their might be a small fee, maybe $15 to do it but don't quote me on that. I suspect it will be the same to go from a tail to a leg mount.
I ended up buy 2 transmitters...

Another thing I found out, from Marshall, last night was you have to send your transmitter back to the factory to change the tail clip. Not the most convenient option but what can you do...

[JRedig]

[QUOTE=jdrmd;375589]

Correct on tail vs leg. But i'd get the parts to do a leg mount just in case, it's a different cap and cover piece for the antenna where the clip would go. In case you want a neck mount or a leg for some reason.
QUOTE]

Before Marshall's initial shipment they were going to offer the ability to convert from a leg mount to a tail mount in the field. But just prior to shipping they said it would be a factory upgrade to make the change..I think their might be a small fee, maybe $15 to do it but don't quote me on that. I suspect it will be the same to go from a tail to a leg mount.
I ended up buy 2 transmitters...

Another thing I found out, from Marshall, last night was you have to send your transmitter back to the factory to change the tail clip. Not the most convenient option but what can you do...

That's news to me. Last year on the FB group, people were removing the tail clip and marshall had a plastic piece to substitute it's place. Then adding the other cap.

I just grabbed my GPS TX and removed the nut and the tail clip. Not sure why it would have to be sent in unless there was a hardware change to newer GPS transmitters.

[jdrmd]

[QUOTE=JRedig;375593]

That's news to me. Last year on the FB group, people were removing the tail clip and marshall had a plastic piece to substitute it's place. Then adding the other cap.

I just grabbed my GPS TX and removed the nut and the tail clip. Not sure why it would have to be sent in unless there was a hardware change to newer GPS transmitters.

Not sure Jeff. I got an email from Chris Edmunds last night:
"We recommend that you send in your transmitter if the spring needs to be changed. We have a special tool that we use so it does not mar or damage the transmitter. "

[Captain Gizmo]

If you are short on spending money at present, I'd skip the omni. I have not found that to be nearly as useful as it used to be with 216. The small UHF yagis make it pretty easy to use in the cab of the truck and are more sensitive than the omni. I bought a 433 omni 5 years ago and have not used it once, despite having chased my barbary multiple times during those years.

If you want to upgrade your UHF kit I second Ron Kumetz recommendation for a backpacker's 7 element Yagi from Arrow Antenna. Ron keeps his bungeed to the overhead in his truck shell. Considered as pure emergency gear it breaks into short pieces and lives in a small nylon bag. Price is right.

My favorite for most boost for the buck is a pole to put the antenna on top of. Height buys range. For details see forum: "Telemetry", thread: "Which Is Better, UHF/VHF".

Regards,
Thomas of the Desert

[FredFogg]

This is probably a question I will have to call Marshall and get answered but I figured I would throw it out here first. I went to their website to order my new GPS system and UHF receiver and transmitters and I see where the RT-GPS transmitter comes with the GPS system but I don't see where I can order just the transmitter by itself. I want to backpack 2 birds with the same frequency transmitters so I can use the GPS system with either bird. At no time will both transmitters be on at the same time so there won't be a problem there. Is the GPS system made for only one transmitter and they want you to buy two entire systems?

Another thing I just noticed, when you click on BUY for the GPS System it has a drop down box at the bottom to upgrade the Desert Carry Case but it says to a medium. But back on the page it described the Carry Cases it says Mini and Full. Is there a medium or is that just a misprint?

[GreenHawk]

Fred,

I cannot help you with either question, but once you get your answer please update us here. I am on the verge of buying the GPS system as well, did the same as you and sold off all my VHF stuff and switched over to UHF. Had those same questions, just haven't had the time to look into it any deeper.

Thanks ahead of time,

[rkumetz]

This is probably a question I will have to call Marshall and get answered but I figured I would throw it out here first. I went to their website to order my new GPS system and UHF receiver and transmitters and I see where the RT-GPS transmitter comes with the GPS system but I don't see where I can order just the transmitter by itself. I want to backpack 2 birds with the same frequency transmitters so I can use the GPS system with either bird. At no time will both transmitters be on at the same time so there won't be a problem there. Is the GPS system made for only one transmitter and they want you to buy two entire systems?

Another thing I just noticed, when you click on BUY for the GPS System it has a drop down box at the bottom to upgrade the Desert Carry Case but it says to a medium. But back on the page it described the Carry Cases it says Mini and Full. Is there a medium or is that just a misprint?

Hi Fred,
Good news and bad...

MRT has not introduced the multi-transmitter firmware for the US market yet. I think they may have done a limited release in the gulf but I am not sure when it will be released here. It is clearly in their best interest because any eventual release of a GPS dog collar would most certainly need to be multi-transmitter.

The good news is that it is just a firmware upgrade so when they release it you can add the feature to your system.

I don't think MRT's intention is even remotely to make people consider buying 2 entire systems if they have 2 transmitters. I would just call them.

You could also put the transmitters on different frequencies and then select them by changing the Pocketlink data frequency though that might be more cumbersome than your approach for the time being.

[jdrmd]

Is the GPS system made for only one transmitter and they want you to buy two entire systems?

You will have to call them to order a second transmitter(or at least that is what I had to do last year). You will be able to use one pocket link with 2 different transmitters but only one transmitter at a time. There is a procedure to pair a transmitter to the pocket link. Not a big deal to do BTW.

There is a thread on here somewhere about this particular issue. The was a significant amount of confusion on the part of the person who answers the phone at Marshall. She was telling me I had to buy an entire system to get an extra transmitter. This was and is incorrect, ended up speaking with Chris Edmunds, who provided some education on the issue...she is very knowledgeable and easy to deal with.

Don't know about the case question.

[FredFogg]

If I may ask, what does the RT-GPS transmitter cost if bought by itself? You may PM me if you don't want to answer on the thread.

[Tanner]

about $500

[jdrmd]

If I may ask, what does the RT-GPS transmitter cost if bought by itself? You may PM me if you don't want to answer on the thread.

Fred,
I don't remember. I was thinking $350 but it could have been $500...just don't remember.

[Beaner]

In the UK its £375.00 so about $500.

[FredFogg]

Thanks guys! I went ahead and ordered the GPS system and the UHF receiver and a couple of tail mount UHF Micro's. I am for sure flying a red-tail this year so I don't really need the GPS system on it and will just tail mount a micro. I put in the for the peregrine draw and since I really don't have the time to go trap one, I probably will get drawn. LOL I have put in for it every year and have never been drawn but usually trap a passage peregrine every year when trapping merlins with my buddies. I probably will get drawn and won't see a single passage peregrine. LOL

On another note, I had just finished order the Marshall stuff through their website (their site definitely needs some fixes) and I walk out to the food truck here at work and what is soaring above me, I beautiful passage red-tail. I could see that longer than a hag tail and when she turned, I could see that nice brown tail. I will start trapping next weekend and I will be on the look out for her.

Was it a sign that I ordered telemetry and then she appeared?

[Beaner]

I tried an RT GPS on a hawk the tail end of last season and I must say it really came into it's own in heavy woodland.
No more it's over there ish, out with the phone and you can very quickly spot the hawk even when silhouetted in a leafy tree canopy.

[FredFogg]

I tried an RT GPS on a hawk the tail end of last season and I must say it really came into it's own in heavy woodland.
No more it's over there ish, out with the phone and you can very quickly spot the hawk even when silhouetted in a leafy tree canopy.

If I don't end up with a falcon, I probably will put it on the red-tail just to learn how to use it.

[Beaner]

I liked it a lot, enjoy

[FredFogg]

Well it looks like I am going to get to test my new GPS system out this year as I just checked online and I won the peregrine draw for NC. Figures, this year I have the least amount of time available to get off work than the past 5 years and I never won during those years. LOL No matter, I will make it happen one way or another.

[jdrmd]

Well it looks like I am going to get to test my new GPS system out this year as I just checked online and I won the peregrine draw for NC. Figures, this year I have the least amount of time available to get off work than the past 5 years and I never won during those years. LOL No matter, I will make it happen one way or another.

You predicted that result. Where are you going to trap and what are you going to hunt?

[FredFogg]

Somewhere on the NC coast! I have access to Figure Eight Island but I probably will go further north, up near Corolla. Doves and what few duck slips I can find with a tiercel and I might dabble with chasing crows with a falcon, have to think about that one. And it all depends on what I trap and if I am able to trap one. Not all that easy here in NC.

[Captain Gizmo]

usually trap a passage peregrine every year when trapping merlins with my buddies.

Solution looks simple: Go trapping Merlins and catching a passage Peregrine is a done deal.

Regards,
Thomas of the Desert

[dboyrollz76]

There's a marshal GPS on raptor nest for 800 and something Gillard if anyone's interested in it.

[Megapode]

There's a marshal GPS on raptor nest for 800 and something Gillard if anyone's interested in it.

It is $875 which is $120 off retail price, I wonder if the warranty would transfer? I thought we would not see used units for sale unless Marshall came out with a 2.0 version that was smaller or better.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[rkumetz]

It is $875 which is $120 off retail price, I wonder if the warranty would transfer? I thought we would not see used units for sale unless Marshall came out with a 2.0 version that was smaller or better.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I see cool new toys on the ham radio barter sites all the time. People buy things and then when the credit card bill shows up they sell them before they become homeless.

[dboyrollz76]

I see cool new toys on the ham radio barter sites all the time. People buy things and then when the credit card bill shows up they sell them before they become homeless.

What would be worse selling it to buy a new falcon, then loosing said falcon!

[rkumetz]

What would be worse selling it to buy a new falcon, then loosing said falcon!

At least that guy has a reasonable price. I saw a guy post a very expensive (Like $15,000.00) ham radio rig with the explanation that he had purchased it and then his wife threatened to divorce him if he didn't sell it. Nothing like screwing up your bargaining position from the start.......

[dboyrollz76]

At least that guy has a reasonable price. I saw a guy post a very expensive (Like $15,000.00) ham radio rig with the explanation that he had purchased it and then his wife threatened to divorce him if he didn't sell it. Nothing like screwing up your bargaining position from the start.......

The following day, add reads one high dollar ham radio rig and wife. Trade both for four"wheeler and goshawk!

[JRedig]

Marshall just announced the rechargeable battery system for GPS on Facebook. Fantastic!

Longer life, rechargeable batteries, micro usb charger compatible. Charger does 3 at once.

See pic below, $45 for additional batteries, available mid October.