Tracking Tips - Icom IC-R30 Setup Instructions

IC-R30 RECEIVER -
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Tracking Tips

Radio tracking and locating a tag requires a level of skill that comes with experience. Tracking a stationary tag on land is
quite different from tracking a drifting tag from a boat. For this reason, Wildlife Computers highly recommends practicing
these tracking techniques before attempting the real thing. This will ensure familiarity with the receiver, demonstrating
what to listen for and how to change settings such as RF GAIN, Attenuation and Volume as you get nearer the tag.
The receiver has independent RF Gain and volume controls that are distinctively different. Think of RF Gain as the "sen-
sitivity" of the receiver, and volume as the loudness. As the RF Gain/sensitivity is reduced, the volume may need to be
increased.
The use of headphones or earphones is recommended as it reduces external noise and increases the chances of hearing a
weak signal. The receiver has a mono 3.5 mm headphone socket.
When searching for a lost tag, start in the area of the last known location. Start with the maximum receiver RF Gain set to
RFGMAX, and Attenuators OFF. Search in a slow 360° sweep with the Yagi antenna horizontal to the ground while listen-
ing for the bearing with the strongest signal. Rotate the antenna 90°, (perpendicular to the ground) and repeat the 360°
search. Continue until you can determine a definite direction with the strongest signal and move in that direction. You can
now narrow the search arc from 360° to between 60 and 90° and still maintain directionality of the strongest signal, all the
time moving towards it.
Be aware that a signal reflected off a physical structure like a building or cliff can provide a false bearing. Regularly move
position several meters and continue tracking to reduce reflected signals.
Directionality will become difficult to determine as the signal strength "swamps" the receiver and all directions sound
equally strong. At this point, there are three options to regain directionality; reduce RF GAIN, activate the Attenuator, or
both (usually in that order). Spend time scanning 360° while changing RF GAIN steps (RFGMAX – RFG1). Often the signal
strength on one particular RFG step will provide the best directionality.
If you reach a point where RF GAIN is set to the minimum and you still cannot determine tag directionality, activate the
internal Attenuator to further reduce the signal strength. The internal Attenuator has four settings; OFF, ATT1, ATT2, and
ATT3. Each setting reduces the receiver sensitivity to enable better directionality when getting closer to the transmitter.
ATT3 and RFG1 settings provide the maximum attenuation for tracking when getting closer to a tag.
When a tag is extremely close and strong, unplugging the coaxial cable completely and walking around with just the
receiver and listening for the strongest signal will help pinpoint the tag.
To Learn More Call: +1 (425) 881-3048 or Email: tags@wildlifecomputers.com
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