FRS radio vs wireless mic for homemade e-caller

B

BruceB

New member
O.K. I'm too cheap to buy a good e-caller and every time I blow any type of call the critters always turn and run.(geese, ducks, turkeys, elk, you name it). So, I want to build an e-caller.I know I can't use one for all these critters but I was just emphasizing my situation. Got tons of advice on this great site but I have a few more questions. Here's what I know so far.
If you use a wireless mic you can get interference problems from local TV stations broadcasting digital.
I don't have a frequency scanner so how would I pick the most usable frequency?
Nady makes unidirectional and omnidirectional versions of the 351. What is the difference?
I have several sets of FRS/GMRS radios and I have seen on here that they can be made to work. With so many frequencies and subchannels available on them I think you could always pick a clear channel and you would get a lot more distance. I would like to get 200 yards. Don't ask me why, I've never done this before but it just seems like a good distance in my situations. Why would I buy a mic if I already have these radios?
Any and all coments would be deeply apreciated.
Thanks
Bruce
 
Here is a quote from another thread.

Quote:
The use of Family Radio Service or GMRS for a predator caller is arguably illegal when continuously transmitting a predator calling sound over the link. Not to mention it's rude--and potentially much worse in an emergency-- as parents monitor particular frequencies within the band to keep tabs on their their kids, as do hunters with their buddies when out in the sticks. Enough guys do this, though, and there will inevitably come the day when some kid breaks a leg, and the only thing he can hear when trying to summon help is a God-awful dying rabbit cry. That'd be a serious black eye on the sport of predator calling. You better believe news of it would be spread far and wide by noon tomorrow were this to occur.

The improvement in range over wireless mics (which readily reach out over 100 yds without noise), is a pretty thin justification for using these GMRS transceivers in this manner. If you have some need to call predators with a remote from afar, there are commercially available products that will do this that keep within the bounds of the law.

Another excellent reason to avoid them is that they have terrible specifications for predator calling; not a one of them that I know has a decent audio frequency response.

LionHo





http://www.predatormastersforums.com/ubb...page=1#52241369
 
Crapshoot, I really couldn't have said it any better myself...

BruceB: The legal issue is only one argument against GMRS or FRS, though a compelling one. Another is that they simply do not have the bandwidth to give you good sound reproduction in the higher frequency ranges that many of us find essential for predator calling; ie, mouse and rodent squeaks for coaxing. And they do not have the degree of sophistication of noise cancelling (companding) that a good wireless mic will have.

As far as omni or uni-directional choice goes in a Nady 351, this applies only to the lavalier microphone that comes with the radio transmitter and receiver set. Unless you're one of a very few also using the lavalier mic to record sounds (but truly, not more than a small minority of homebuilt ecaller guys seem to be doing this), you're likely going to set the lavalier mic aside when assembling your caller and never give it another thought. I'd suggest picking whichever one is cheapest or more readily available.

Scanners are pretty common, hopefully you can find someone among your friends (or maybe a local amateur radio guy?) who'll loan you one or help you find a clear frequency locally. But if you can't, you can instead consult a published frequency chart for your region. That and a retailer who has a reasonable exchange policy should put you in pretty good stead, I'd think.

LionHo
 
I am looking to add a nady 351 vr to my preymaster. A local music shop has one in stock. I know zero about electronics, what is the importance of the local frequency? If I purchase this Nady will it work in all areas, or only select areas? Is each nady unit designed for a certain frequency? Will I be able to plug in the nady to thepreymaster and play? Please explain this to an electronics illiterate!!!

Thanks, Gingus
 
The radio frequency band in which wireless mics operate was once an unused portion of the television band. As TV goes digital, more of the band (or all of it with HDTV) is used per channel. More here:

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/wireless_remote_tutorial.html

I already had a scanner, so it was a simple matter to monitor a few selected frequencies, each for a decent interval, til I found an exceptionally clear one. Since, I've had no RF interference problems whatsoever, now going on 3 years (though I've tended to stick close to my region for predator calling during this time).

For those who travel around more--and while I wouldn't expect that rural areas typical of where predator calling is practiced are going to present RF problems--if you are terribly concerned about this, you might want to purchase an Azden unit rather than the Nady. Twice the bucks, but there's a selector switch for a second frequency. Azden set may present more of a challenge to get it to work with the Preymaster, though--there is not a built-in output adjustment pot as there is on the Nady.

(incidentally, there are many, many searchable threads here on the Ecaller Forum about going wireless with a Preymaster.)

LionHo
 
gingus,

Since you do not list the state where you are located, I will give you general information. NADY Systems, Inc. has a page on their website for selecting/locating a frequency for your area. That link is: http://www.nadywireless.com/frequency_finder.html

Go to that page, select your home state, and then scroll down to the towns near where you live/hunt. Write down those frequencies. If, you can't borrow a scanner, then go to Radio Shack and talk one of the guys there into letting you check out a scanner while still in the store. Plug in the frequencies from your list, and see if you hear anything on them. If, not then pick one and run with it. If, you hear anything on any particular one, then stay off of that frequency. Its basically that simple. Of course, it would be desirable to check out the frequency in the exact areas where you will be hunting, but that may, or may not, be practical for you if you cannot borrow a scanner.

You will get the greatest remote distance with a VHF frequency, but its also a potential problem as it allows the possibility that you will hear other transmissions from farther away as well. UHF does not work well where one has thick pine, or fir forests, so remember that as well.

Select your frequency as carefully as possible. It can make or break your success with the wireless remote. Good luck, and hope you find a good clear frequency.

Bill
 
Thanks for the info.
Luv2hunt, I am in missouri and looked at the nady frequency chart. Still have the deer in the headlights look after viewing the Nady page. Do the nady units come with a certain frequency in each unit or can they be changed to different frequencies to adjust for different areas? I will be using this mostly around the St. Louis/Rolla/Jefferson City area and the dealer that has the Nady 351 said one unit has a 185.15 mhz and the other unit has 191.3 mhz. Will either of these units work in the cities I described?Again no experience with electronics, so this is very confusing to me. Any other info. you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Gingus
 
Gingus,

Yes, the NADY units come on a given frequency assigned, and tuned at the factory. I'm sure they can be changed at the dealer level, but whether it would be cost effective, I'm not sure. Doubt it. I'd get the right frequency installed from the gitgo and not worry about changing it later.

Since you did not understand the chart on the NADY website, I offer the following information that I gleaned for you:

1. St. Louis - KETC, Channel 9, is using Channel H, which is the 191.300 MHz frequency you mentioned. I'd stay clear of that one.

2. St. Louis - KPLRTV, Channel 11, is using Channels A1, F, and CE3. Don't see any conflict there with the other unit available on 185.15 (Channel B).

3. Jefferson City - KRCG, Channel 13, is using Channels E, and R. Don't see any conflict there with Channel B.

4. Rolla - K07SD - Channel 7, is using Channels A14, E3, E6, CE6, and CE7. Don't see any conflict there with Channel B.

Based on the information I see from the chart, it appears that Channel B, which is 185.15 MHz might be a good bet for you. Again, I suggest you get a scanner, tune it to 185.15MHz, and visit those areas to listen for possible interference. That is the only safe way to do it. That said, if you cannot accomplish that goal, then your next best bet is to accept the information above as a guide. Your call.

Good luck, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif

Bill /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Luv2hunt, i greatly appreciate your assistance for the electronically challenged!!! I glad you repied because I was leaning toward the 191.3, your help is much appreciated.

Thanks again, Gingus
 
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