Radio Retrieval System

[StevieB]

Does anyone know anything about the BMJR Models radio tracking system?  I’m currently in the market for a radio retrieval system and stumbled across this while surfing.  I don’t claim to know much about radio transmitters, receivers, channels etc and could be categorised as a total newbie to such things.

At 12g the transmitter does seem to be larger and heavier than say a Ruyter or Biotrack system but the price of the bugs is much lower and since I’m off to the US very shortly I’m considering this as a possible solution to my needs.  The receiver on the other hand isn’t that cheap and I have no idea if a typical receiver/scanner available in the UK would be suitable   My quick internet searches for channel/frequency info drew a blank but then I don’t really know what I’m looking for.  Channel 61 to 99 is all that is mentioned on the web site.

I’m aiming to buy bugs for A1 and A2 gliders where weight isn’t too much of an issue but I suppose legality (in the UK) and range for FF competition would be.

Can anyone offer any info or advice or know of anyone who has used this system?

Details are at the bottom of the following page:

http://www.bmjrmodels.com/catalog.cfm?ID=New Model Kits&ID2=NMK


Thanks

[PeeTee]

Steve

You should have asked me in the pub on Saturday evening

12g seems to be a bit heavy to me, even for an F1A, and you would be better off going for a Ruyter bug (or a Biotrack one if someone is selling up). An alternative would be the one on this link  http://hawkworks.webs.com/MicroX.htm

You are paying pounds for dollars, but they are UK based if anything goes wrong.

As for the receiver, buy a decent scanner. I recommend the Yupiteru MT 7100 which has excellent sensitivity, discrimination and the ability to nudge the Rx off frequency which helps locate models close up in the barley or oil seed rape (ask me how I know). the Yupi is out of production, having been superceded, but good examples can be bought on e-bay for £50-100 (the price was originally £250+). Have a word with Tony S if you want to go down this route as he has bought four or five for different people over the past 18 months.

I have designs for 2M (150 MHz) and 433 MHz Yagis to build yourself in an hour or so for thruppence ha'penny.

 Give me a call if you want to discuss before you go on your hols.

Toodle pip

Peter

[Baz599]

I bought a Yupiteru MT 7100 on ebay a few months ago for £120 but it was in it's box with all the accessories. Just put 'Yupiteru MT 7100' in the search box and there will most likely be at least 10 come up for sale at differing prices dependent on condition and if it has any accessories.
I got the Pim Ruyter tracker, one round and one flat on different frequencies

[StevieB]

I only found the BMJR transmitter on the web today

I'd not seen the falconry "bugs" before but the MicroX does look very suitable and as you say they are based in the UK.  More money but less then half the weight!!

It seems that Pim Ruyter bugs are the most popular in the UK so I'll have to price up all the options, including receivers before diving it at the deep end.

[Baz599]

I should have said I bought my 'Yupiteru MT 7100' on ebay. at the moment there are 4 for sale.

[CHE]

I've used both Biotrack and Pim's systems. I use a Biotrack reciever (just the best) but also have a 'Standard' scanner (from Pim) just in case. The Biotrack has a better battery life but Pim's has better range albeit at the expense of battery life. the good thing is that Pim will give you exactly what you want - potted, un potted, with and without a battry holder and he customised mine so I could have a removable aerial.

Trackers are one of two critical things to model retrieval, the other being a reliable DT. I've never lost a tracker-equipped model that DT's but have lost a few that didn't DT. With regards to the UK team, since trackers came in (~1992) no model has been lost that has DT'd that had a tracker on board. Peter Martin's was stolen in Bulgaria but even that came back (the tracker had been disabled).

Have no experience of the others mentioned but I would get something that has a history of production and good backup - Pim has both.

CHE