New Ltronics DF unit

[cnitas]

Hello everyone.  My unit just received a shiny new DF unit from L-Tronics. 

Does anyone have any coments, advice, pointers, etc for us as we get to know and learn the new equipment?

Thanks

[_]

If it's the block o cheese version I've heard that it doesn't like cold temps. 

side note: I think Howard team has one as well in case you run into them at the next SAREX.

[jeders]

There are many types of DF units out there, even from L-tronics, could you give us a description of it?

[♠SARKID♠]

If it's the block o cheese version I've heard that it doesn't like cold temps. 

side note: I think Howard team has one as well in case you run into them at the next SAREX.

The screen freezes in winter; not getting the best rep here in WI, even though we do like all things that look like cheese. 

[_]

If it's the block o cheese version I've heard that it doesn't like cold temps. 

side note: I think Howard team has one as well in case you run into them at the next SAREX.

The screen freezes in winter; not getting the best rep here in WI, even though we do like all things that look like cheese. 

As long as we don't end up seeing one of you guys wearing it as a hat [/drift]

[davedove]

There are many types of DF units out there, even from L-tronics, could you give us a description of it?

This is the one:

[jeders]

Ahhh, the block of cheese that so many people dislike. Haven't used it personally, so I can't comment on whether it sucks or not. However, I do better with an air band radio doing body blocking most of the time.

[NIN]

Ahhh, the block of cheese that so many people dislike. Haven't used it personally, so I can't comment on whether it sucks or not. However, I do better with an air band radio doing body blocking most of the time.

Airband with body blocking?  Back in my day, sonny, we did it with a Galenium crystal wired to a 9v battery and an antenna made from chicken wire!

Hrrmph.  Back to eating my pureed food..

[LtCol Hooligan]

I have used it and have started to have great results- FYI- had to return it for updates and am still waiting to get it back.  At any rate, here are some tips I have for successful use:

1.  Make sure the antennas are at 45 degree angles- not up and down.
2.  Keep the team away from the person running it.  Bodies really block it.
3.  Move slow when taking a reading.  Stop and let it adjust- it takes time- not like the old style.
4.  Get it to to a reading of about 700 before your team starts trampsing out into the woods- my experience is that if you are reading about 400- you need to go further.
5.  As normal- try to get to the highest point in a clear area to get the best reading.
6.  Still trying to figure out DFing from antennas mounted on a van.  I have had more success with old school units thus far when doing that.
7.  I also primarily use rec so far.  I like DF for the old school equipment, but rec seems better on this.

Here is a story- we were DFing on a training mission in the north woods of MN for about 2 hours.  Getting very frustrated.  I had a reading of about 700.  I was like man- where is this thing.  I looked around and my time had gathered around me.  I was like everyone branch out on me in a circle.  All the sudden- about 15 feet from me one of my team members had it.  It was awesome!!

[SJFedor]

The last 2 missions I've run, the team I've sent out has used it, with great success. Acquires the signal pretty quickly, tracks pretty well, and the numerical strength indicator is great, too. Once it's at or past 800, you know you're just about on top of it.

It's a winner down here in TN, at least.

Did your Wing buy it, or was it donated?

[SoCalCAPOfficer]

I agree the cheese block is a great unit.  At least out here in sunny Southern California.   The digital readout  makes finding elt's at airports really easy.  We have had many successful finds with ours and they usually take less than ten minutes to find.

[RiverAux]

Almost anything is better than an L-per with handmade sticks and eye-poking metal antennas. 

[SJFedor]

Almost anything is better than an L-per with handmade sticks and eye-poking metal antennas. 

It's definitely a bit better when you're trumpin through the woods....

[_]

Almost anything is better than an L-per with handmade sticks and eye-poking metal antennas. 

But it's oh so funny when the vertical pole becomes loose and swings around and clubs someone in the head.

[LtCol Hooligan]

Did your Wing buy it, or was it donated?

We had to buy it- in fact we just purchased a second one for our new Flight so they have something to play with.  I think the Wing was given some of the 406 becons and DF units but I heard those things are really bad.  They are the ones with 4 rubber duckies stuck to them.  I think the new Little L-Per is much better.

[brasda91]

Hello everyone.  My unit just received a shiny new DF unit from L-Tronics. 

Does anyone have any coments, advice, pointers, etc for us as we get to know and learn the new equipment?

Thanks

Send it to me.  Let me learn how to use it.  When I'm done, I'll send it back with my comments.   

[cnitas]

I have used it and have started to have great results- FYI- had to return it for updates and am still waiting to get it back.  At any rate, here are some tips I have for successful use:

1.  Make sure the antennas are at 45 degree angles- not up and down.
2.  Keep the team away from the person running it.  Bodies really block it.
3.  Move slow when taking a reading.  Stop and let it adjust- it takes time- not like the old style.
4.  Get it to to a reading of about 700 before your team starts trampsing out into the woods- my experience is that if you are reading about 400- you need to go further.
5.  As normal- try to get to the highest point in a clear area to get the best reading.
6.  Still trying to figure out DFing from antennas mounted on a van.  I have had more success with old school units thus far when doing that.
7.  I also primarily use rec so far.  I like DF for the old school equipment, but rec seems better on this.

Here is a story- we were DFing on a training mission in the north woods of MN for about 2 hours.  Getting very frustrated.  I had a reading of about 700.  I was like man- where is this thing.  I looked around and my time had gathered around me.  I was like everyone branch out on me in a circle.  All the sudden- about 15 feet from me one of my team members had it.  It was awesome!!

Thank you for the advice.

I should mention that according to the 'revised' instructions we got with our unit, you no longer use the 45 degree angles (on the updated units).  Everything is done vertical now it seems.

We are looking at getting the fancy vehicle antenna array for our van as well, but we can make due with our old setup in the meantime.

[mynetdude]

those are the spendy ones, I've had discussion with people about different DF equipment and the one the OP mentioned is what I was told to get if one was to be purchased as it has the ability to be used inside the vehicle with the proper mounts and atennas.

I don't know much about the little Lper with the big old funky T antenna, my commander had me hold it out the window while he was doing 25mph down the road (it was NOT easy to hold it while he was doing that, because every piece was poking at the van! hehe.  Does the smaller/older Lper unit have a van mountable antenna you can hook up like the new Lper?

[brasda91]

we have the 3 antenna system that attaches to our l-per.  the antennas for front, rear and center.  you can add the left and right antennas but we use the front and rear just as good.

[LtCol Hooligan]

I should mention that according to the 'revised' instructions we got with our unit, you no longer use the 45 degree angles (on the updated units).  Everything is done vertical now it seems.

Interesting- Ours still has not come back in from getting the program updates yet so I will be interested to read about the changes.  Maybe I should open the box with the new one for my remote flight and see what it says.  I like having them up and down better as there would be less of a chance of nailing it on a tree!!