Auxiliary VHF transmitter to aid recovery of solar Argos/GPS PTTs

Christopher P. Hansen; Mark A. Rumble; R. Scott Gamo; Joshua J. Millspaugh

doi:10.2737/RMRS-RN-72

Treesearch

Auxiliary VHF transmitter to aid recovery of solar Argos/GPS PTTs

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Christopher P. Hansen, Mark A. Rumble, R. Scott Gamo, Joshua J. Millspaugh

Year:

2014

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RMRS-RN-72

Source:

Res. Note RMRS-RN-72. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 11 p.

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Abstract

While conducting greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) research, we found that solar-powered global positioning systems platform transmitter terminals (GPS PTTs) can be lost if the solar panel does not receive adequate sunlight. Thus, we developed 5-g (mortality sensor included; Prototype A) and 9.8-g (no mortality sensor; Prototype B) auxiliary very high frequency transmitters that attach to the underside of GPS PTTs and work independently of the solar panel to aid in recovery of the units. Prototype A did not function properly because of an over-sensitive mortality sensor. Prototype B performed better; each was active upon recovery. Auxiliary transmitters were useful, but we encourage testing before deployment.

Keywords

auxiliary VHF transmitter, greater sage-grouse, radiotelemetry, solar Argos/GPS PTT

Citation

Hansen, Christopher P.; Rumble, Mark A.; Gamo, R. Scott; Millspaugh, Joshua J. 2014. Auxiliary VHF transmitter to aid recovery of solar Argos/GPS PTTs. Res. Note RMRS-RN-72. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 11 p.