bca Tracker DTS User Manual page 9

Operating Instructions
it from beacon 2. SP mode is used to determine approximately
what direction and distance to go to get closer to beacon 2.
Once you are closer, always switch back to SE mode.
At the lowest possible distance reading, re-engage beacon 1 in
your center search light. With the center search light engaged,
switch the Tracker to SP mode (Figure I). Then rotate—do not
sweep—the Tracker slowly until another signal is detected (bea-
con 2), most likely with a larger distance reading. If the Tracker
is rotated more than about 40 degrees away from the flux line of
beacon 1, that signal will disappear, allowing you to focus on the
signal from beacon 2. This "filtering" process can often simplify
multiple searches.
If no other signal is captured in SP mode,stand up and try again
at chest height. If still no other signal is detected, take three
steps back and repeat.
Figure I
Multiple burials/
Special mode
Only travel far enough in
SP mode to confirm the
distance is decreasing and
which way the flux line is
trending. At this point, a
good rule of thumb is to
ignore further readings and
swiftly travel at least 3/4 of
the distance displayed. Then
lock in beacon 2 by switch-
ing back to search mode.
Once you have located another signal, begin to move in that
direction. If the distance consistently decreases, you are going
in the right direction. Travel far enough in SP mode to confirm
the distance is decreasing and which way the flux line is trend-
ing. If the flux line is curving sharply, continue in SP mode until
it becomes straighter. If more than one signal is being displayed
and it becomes unclear which one to pursue, continue in the
direction you have been searching. Always switch back to SE
mode when you think you are getting closer to beacon 2 than
beacon 1.
If after finding a victim, no further signals are detected in SP
mode, continue the search if there are still missing victims.
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Operating Instructions
Revert to search mode and perform a primary search of the
remaining unchecked areas within the debris pile. Resume your
primary search at the point where it was originally abandoned.
Three or more victims
If more than two beacons are buried, multiple burials become
extremely complex with any transceiver, especially if the bea-
cons are very close together.
Primary search
If the searcher has reason to believe there are several signals in
close proximity to each other, it can be very effective to reduce
the search strip width accordingly, from 20 meters to less than
5 meters.
Secondary search
In close-proximity situations, it is important to go into SP mode
as close as possible to the found beacon. This will create a
more noticeable difference in the distance readings for each
transmitter. Place the Tracker, as close as possible to the snow
surface. Avoid entering SP mode at the spike signal.
In situations where many beacons are buried all within a small
area, it can be difficult to "pinpoint on a line." This is because
you will be starting the search for each beacon from a very close
distance; therefore the flux lines will probably be curved and
overlapping. Often it is simpler to pinpoint using the bracketing
method.
For more details on multiple burials, please refer to our website:
www.bcaccess.com.
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