Assemble your own remote fox caller - using smart phone and PMR radios

[zambezi]

One fox I am after is proving particularly wary/canny and I realise I need to switch up my hunt methodology. Currently if I lie in wait, he winds or sees me. In part, I am disadvantaged as the permission is made up of small parcels of land so any encounter will be at close quarters. I have tried using bait to distract/direct his attention but that has not yet worked in daylight hours.

What I plan to try next is remote audio decoy under cover of night. I have a NiteSite, but no remote caller. Looking at prices, the progammable remote decoys are a bit expensive so I got to wondering if I could make one. Some years back I bought PMR [walkie talkie] radios for use while hiking. So I already have the hardware I need to broadcast a call into a remote field.

Using the following I have built a progammable remote fox caller. You can add, create, delete any call you need using this method.

So here's the build sequence:

• Record free distress calls from youtube onto your smart phone's Voice Memo app
• Now install VLC app on your smart phone
• Open Voice Memo and share call with VLC [opens automatically]
• Select the ... option in VLC and set the call to loop [see screengrab below]
• Switch both PMR radios on, place one at bait site in field and retain sending unit with yourself
• Set the sending unit to "vox mode" so that you do not need to press-to-talk [see screengrab below]
• Start the distress call loop on VLC app and bundle smart phone and vox enabled PMR radio in a coat or bag to mute broadcast from that point [volume set to max on receiving radio at bait site]

 

[Hunter5567]

I used a MP3 player and downloaded some free calling sounds on it and then hooked that up to an small amplifier which was then connected to speakers with a long wire. I do like the remote "wireless" setup you made with the PMR radios.

 

[VSS]

I have 2 mobile phones, one of which has the sound I want to use set as its ring tone. Simple matter then to place this one out in the field, and use the other phone to call it from time to time. A small set of speakers helps.

 

[IrishStalker]

how dose the signal receive at.

 

[zambezi]

how dose the signal receive at.

Range really depends on the PMR pair you buy. But realistically all PMRs can broadcast further than most people could shoot and hit a fox. The range claim on my PMR units is 3km. I have tested them to 1km and they work fine provided: (1) batteries fully charged and (2) clear line of sight.

With the receiving [bait site] radio set to full volume, the emitted call is similar in volume to that which I can make with a homemade Tenterden whistle.

 

[WillC]

I do something very similar but with professional radios on PMR free frequency the range is a lot better ( up to 5km) If you are interested in any let me know I can supply Kenwood TK3180`s

Regards Will