Dog Tracking

[Corkonian]

Hi, I'm new to the world of scanning
I do a lot of work with dogs and have been thinking of getting some tracking collars for them. The collars themselves aren't that expensive but the receivers are over the top.
I'm wondering if it's possible to use a scanner to track the collars rather than buying their proprietry receiver.
Here's an example of a site selling them:
http://www.nitehunters.com/rats6c.htm
It lists the frequencies available also.

Anyone think this would work?
Would you need to get a directional antenna?

Is it better to have a scanner that's capable of trunk tracking if you want to listen in on police etc.
Thanks.

 

[INDY72]

Umm sure you can use a scanner.. but it would only tell you that your picking up the signal, not the direction, signal strength, etc.. I use my scanner to let some guys camping near me know I am picking up a collar when they tell me one's missing,.. but usually they still take a day or two to finally find the pooch, unless the dog is an old schooler around here, and knows that there is food available at my place,.... weg, We have an arrangement that if thier dogs show up at my place, and I return it, I get a share of meat to supplement what I kill, and vice versus. Of course I only run three dogs- a Cattahoula, a Beagle, and a RotBeagle.

 

[LarrySC]

Those #'s seem to be just channel numbers. The Freq range 216MHz thru 219MHz is AMTS Maritime Cellular along major rivers. Dog collars seem to be found between 219MHz and 219.6MHz. In either case the scanner must cover 216 thru 220MHz. Good Luck

 

[stlscanner]

A while ago I did a bit of research on these tracking collars and put together a write up on what you need to monitor these devices... basically, your typical Uniden or Radio Shack scanner won't work - you'll need something that can do 1kHz steps, CW or SSB mode and an adjustable delay. Plus, there's range and direction finding that needs to be taken into account!


The full article with all the details is located here...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StLASE/message/245


Good luck!

Tony Haukap
more SCANNER stuff - http://www.cyberspace.org/~awh/main.html
--

 

[Corkonian]

That's interesting stuff. Looks like to get the full functionality of the collar I'd be much better off getting the proper receiver, no wonder so that they're so expensive.

Milf; those Catahoula sound the business. Any one cross them with a greyhound? They'd make a fine lurcher for bigger game.
I hunt hare with a pack of beagles, great hounds to watch working. I keep a few lurchers and terriers myself.