If one is trying RDF (not APRS/GPS) tracking, the cheap Baofung H/T's don't have a true signal strength meter. It's either "all on" or "all off". Yeah, technically you could use an earphone and try to detect a change in the volume but that might be too hard for onsite work.
If you are going to use it with say a Mobilinkd TNC for APRS/GPS tracking, it will work fine except if you want to also do RDF with the device it won't work as well. One needs to make sure whatever rig they get has a true signal strength meter if they want to have the simplest means to track. An attenuator makes it easier too. Yeah I know there are tricks like off frequency tuning, switching to a duck antenna or shielding with one's body, but I'd like to be quick about it and turning a pot on an attenuator to get the settings right is just plain easier. Kurt -------------------------------------------- On Mon, 6/15/15, Kevin Trojanowski <[email protected]> wrote: Subject: Re: [altusmetrum] RDF on the cheap To: "'Altus Metrum'" <[email protected]> Date: Monday, June 15, 2015, 7:08 PM I'd suggest shopping the used HT market. The Baofung (or however it's spelled) radios can be bought cheap, but based on what I've seen of them, they'll make RDF a bit more challenging. I'd suggest investing in a used radio of better quality if you plan to RDF with it. -Kevin From: altusmetrum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chris Attebery Sent: Monday, June 15, 2015 7:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [altusmetrum] RDF on the cheap I'd like to be able to RDF my Telemetrum with a low end HT and antenna. Can any of you make a recommendation for a low end radio (<$50)? Also will the Arrow 440-3 work well enough at Black Rock or should I pick up the 440-5? Is there anything else I would need? Thanks, Chris -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ altusmetrum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum _______________________________________________ altusmetrum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum
