Doggy Search and Rescue

[k0vx]

This is a story I would like to share with every as it promotes ham radio users. Yesterday after coming home for lunch I found my dog, Lilly, missing. She has some how unhooked the standard dog clasp and a locking carabineer. I still wonder if someone in the area unhooked her.

After walking around the area, then getting in my car and driving our normal walking loop, I was unable to find her. At this point I started asking people in the area if they had seen her. I did find out that she had been in the area a few times and that she had escaped around 10:30am. I then called the local dog shelters in the area leaving a description of Lilly in case some one found her and brought her in. By this time it was 2http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif0pm and I had already called into work asking for a half day.

Now it is 3http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif0pm and I have been going up and down all the streets with no luck, I decide to try something that, well I hadn't heard of anyone else every trying before. I picked up my Hand held HAM radio (Yaesu VX-5) and called out on the local repeater (146.940Mhz) and asked if anyone in my area could help my look for my dog. Well two amateur radio operators answer my call and so I had two in cars and me on foot looking for her. Doing this really helped out because with three people looking and in constant contact with each other, we were able to cover much more ground in a very organized fashion. It was just before 4http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif0pm when one of the amateur radio operators spotted Lilly and was able to pick her up. He then called out letting every know. I was then able to pick her up and bring her back home.

This was a very nice and convent tool to do a task that may have taken many more hours to complete. And I give thanks to those that helped out. Unfortunately I have forgotten their call signs so I can not give them direct credit for there help, be they are welcome to email me and I will update this article.

KC9BIW

[n3xp]

Cool story! I'm going to have to try that.

[W5HTW]

Hope she's a BIG dog! She sounds like a candidate for APRS and her Tech ticket.

Glad you found her. Nothing like a missing pet.

73
Ed

[n8ary]

You're going to have to get that dog an amateur radio license so she can call home.

[tib]

Glad it had a happy ending. That said, get the dog "chipped". AVID Inc. (http://www.avidid.com/index.html)

[N9ESH]

So happy you got your friend back.

Yes, Ham radio is a valuable rescue tool. It’s come in handy on several cross-country transports.


And don’t forget about the microchip. They really do help. Ask around local shelters or pet shows if there will be a “chip clinic” in your area. Usually costs about $15. A bargan.

Jim, N9ESH
Feline Underground Railroad

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #Sounds like she a canidate for a packet beacon.. Next time she gets off the lead just fire up you aprs software and there she'll be.. Of course the chip might be a good idea too http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[n9kpn]

The AVID chip is a good idea but does not locate a pet until it is caught and taken to a vet or shelter that has a scanner/wand unit. #The APRS is a good idea but how legal would that be as far as using a ham frequency to track a lost pet? #Are there any non ham general use frequencies (i.e. CB or FRS) in use for the ARPS?

I think we are all getting some good ideas here. #Soon all cell phones will be required to give position reports as part of the enhanced 911 cellular system. #These next generation phones will use GPS on a chip. #(Motorola is all ready to produce such a chip. #Samples shipped in November, full production slated for June '03.) #Once every phone has one of these, the chip price will drop dramatically (Volume pricing on the chips expected to be $10). #One company already provides a service to locate your pet anywhere in the world using GPS. #Go #here: #
http://www.gpstracks.com

Thus, I believe, you will be able to track your pet with one of these. # This system must have some sort of monthly fee. #The size is not accurately depicted on the web site but my guess is that animals like a cat or dogs of that size (i.e. ankle nippers) could not wear one of these in its current form. #The dogs depicted seem to be German Shepherds and other large breeds. #If the size drops, cats and small dogs could use one of these.

The pet's position can be sent to a wireless PDA, laptop, or cell phone. # #Soon a cell phone with the GPS chip will display your pet's position and allow you to see your position as well. #Thus plot a course and find Fido.

How about this: #If your pet is seldom lost, you pay a per occurrence fee. #You call a 900 type number and enter a user name and password. #It then "pages" your pets collar which has a GPS/cell phone on it. #The cell phone then transmits the position report to the central command center. #The command center then gives you a location to look for your pet (maybe for as long as an hour or so).

Just venting ideas. #Maybe someone will take the initiative and design a system. #Any takers?

Remove my details from qrz.com email, picture URL.

I'm glad you found your dog. #Now here's an idea.

Put on her collar, a transmitter that operates in one of the ham bands. #Then when she goes missing you can have a fox hunt with a real fox. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif