Questions for Marshall Direct

[RLBagley]

Hello all-

I've been reading through the telemetry comments and wondered if there'd be interest in asking any questions directly to Marshall Radio?

Seems there's a lot of comments and questions that might best be answered directly. You'll only have to be patient as I cannot respond immediately every time, but will do my best. And, we're 8 hours behind you lads in the UK.

Cheers-
RB

[OhMyGod]

Hi Robert

Welcome to the forum

I think this is a good idea as the price of your competitors equiptment has incresed recently and is on par with your current supplier in the uk, Garlands. This, I believe will sway people into buying marshall sets on 173 as opposed to other of the brands on the top end of the market.

However most of the people I know have 216 and due to the advantages of friends being on the same frequency in this small country most I believe would rather get a different system if it means they can get on 216. 173 also has alot of interfearence as opposed to 216 so this is another benefit to 216 users. Telemetry is not cheap and in my opinion should be the best set you can get and should be treated with care and should therefore last a long time so people are going to put more effort into getting 216 which is what they want.

How are things in the Marshall department? are you all working flat out?

I'm sure you will be of great benefit to the forum.

Have a good season

regards

Tim

[Hawkmaster]

Welcome Rob,

Have FUN! I will organise you a new section as soon as we have this new forum software under control!

Regards Paul

[Falcons7]

Hello all-

I've been reading through the telemetry comments and wondered if there'd be interest in asking any questions directly to Marshall Radio?

Seems there's a lot of comments and questions that might best be answered directly. You'll only have to be patient as I cannot respond immediately every time, but will do my best. And, we're 8 hours behind you lads in the UK.

Cheers-
RB

Hi Robert,
I have a RT+ that has chuched its hand in ,in less than a year.It was a presant from America ,I'm in England.How do I get it repaired ,I don't mind paying but I've got it on good athority that Garly wont touch it and as he is stretched out in hospital I'm stuck.
JEFF ARMSTRONG

[RLBagley]

"I think this is a good idea as the price of your competitors equiptment has incresed recently and is on par with your current supplier in the uk, Garlands. This, I believe will sway people into buying marshall sets on 173 as opposed to other of the brands on the top end of the market."

Good to hear. If not for duties and VAT, the cost in the exchange between the pound and the dollar sure does put US products at an advantage, cost wise.

"However most of the people I know have 216 and due to the advantages of friends being on the same frequency in this small country most I believe would rather get a different system if it means they can get on 216. 173 also has alot of interfearence as opposed to 216 so this is another benefit to 216 users. Telemetry is not cheap and in my opinion should be the best set you can get and should be treated with care and should therefore last a long time so people are going to put more effort into getting 216 which is what they want."
Yes, some people are able to keep receivers for 10-20 years!

"How are things in the Marshall department? are you all working flat out?"
Yes, this has been another year of growth, for a number of reasons. But it's also been astonishing to see the number of people giving the TrackPack a try as a new mounting method. We're keeping a close watch for the first real catastrophe, but so far people who try it end up being religious zealots about its advantages. We'll put up a slide show on the web site next week about the trip to the UAE Hunting Exhibition, where we were able to train the Vet there at the falcon hospital and get a number of people to try it.

"I'm sure you will be of great benefit to the forum."
Well, thanks, we'll see how it goes. And what the pent up questions will turn out to be!
RB

[Mary Quite Contrary]

Why do Marshalls only seem to supply Garlands over a six month period?

[Moritz]

Hi,
A german falconer I know, contacted the European parlament after his finntracker was tacken away from him because it did not match the EU standards. He did a lot of research and found out that there was no system that matches the required standard, it has something to do with the out put regulation. He then found one guy who took the time and build the first ever transmitter that has got such an out put regulation. The European parlament will now stop any transmitters that do not match standart from being build and imported into the EU. Does Marshall know anything about that? I can only speak from the info I got from this german falconer.

My second question is how high is the out put of the Power Max transmitter in mV? I have got one myself but could not find the information on the net or any where else.

Thx

[RLBagley]

To "CuffPiece Chas" regarding: "Why do Marshalls only seem to supply Garlands over a six month period?"

Garlands, the UK Stockist, makes monthly orders and then we ship deliveries accordingly, so they should regularly receive new stock. But there has obviously been times when a new product has been expected, and then delayed (final changes, additional testing, etc) thus putting Garlands in difficulty with what they've told their customers. Even though sales worldwide are way up over last year, we've still been able to stay current for the most part and keep them in stock, with the 2005 PowerMax being the exception. Bit it's now going out to Garlands and all others around the world. So the norm should be that they have regular deliveries and stay ahead so as to provide immediate delivery, overnight if necessary. And they speak your language: proper queen's english, not american.

To "Moritz," regarding telemetry use in Europe: Marshall Radio produces telemetry equipment with technical attributes for specific countries where it is legal. We encourage every user to find out what the regulations are for their own country or jurisdiction, and act accordingly. Our transmitters were actually submitted for testing 3-4 years ago and approved for use in the UK.

And, it's our intent to produce a version of Marshall Radio equipment in the 433MHz band next year for those countries where that is the required frequency.

Of all the Telemetry Companies that produce equipment used by Falconers (at least that I'm aware of), it would be interesting to find out which, if any, have modified their equipment to meet any new standards:

US Companies:
- LL Electronics
- Wildlife Materials
- Merlin Systems
- Telonics, Inc.
- ATS

European Companies:
- BioTrack (UK)
- Audio Precision (UK)
- Falcon Telemetrics (UK)
- FinnTracker (Finland)
- Eskan Track (Czhech Republik)
- Weinmann (Germany)
- Ayama (Spain)
- TinyLoc (Spain)

(certainly a lot to choose from)

RB

[OhMyGod]

So it is totally acceptable to ask garlands to sell you a 216 receiver and tag

[Pete Smith]

Robert,
What is the big deal about the benefits of different frequencies in the UK, as far as i'm aware only 173Mhz is legal for falconry applications in the this country?
I hope that this is still true as i, and many friends have invested heavily in this frequency to be complient!

As far as supplying Garland on a monthly basis??!!!! who are you kidding i could have died and been re-born faster.....still waiting for the Micro's?
Pete.

[Mary Quite Contrary]

Robert
Thanks for the reply.
I must compliment Marshalls on the Apollo 13 mode.
Excellent idea and it represents a forward thinking approach.
Well done to all.

Pete i recieved a new micro 05 months ago. Good bit of kit.

Robert i have a couple more questions please.

Why was it decided not to carry on fitting the flashing light on the Powermax.

Have Marshalls made any steps in creating a GPS ( Sat Nav) type of system or transmitter or is anything being put into plan.

Regards

[GoneHawking]

I had a micro from marshalls at the Falconers fair, Superb thanks Marshall, RT plus 2005 also cracking transmitter, again thanks.

Mark

[Hawkmaster]

As far as supplying Garland on a monthly basis??!!!! who are you kidding i could have died and been re-born faster.....still waiting for the Micro's?
Pete.

Pete I contacted Garlands and they have 216 Micros in stock and are waiting for the 173's they had some before and during the Falconers Fair.

[Falcons7]

Rob,could you please answer the question regarding the knackerd RT+

[Moritz]

Could some one pls tell me what the output of the Power Max in mW is?

Thx

Moritz

[Hawkmaster]

Patience Gents! Mr Bagley is busy and we are honoured to have him here, lets not ruin this oportunity. :wink:

[Gaz]

No,hes honoured to have us!!..we ,after all , pay for his extravagant lifestyle.If you can justify charging what basically amounts to a couple of mortgage payments/hard earned wages for something...you can be humble enough to answer a few questions Paul.....(p.s.Brown nosing wont get it cheaper dude,you"ll still get shagged by Garlands)!!



p.s.s.
Hi Bob,see (or annoy) you in Vernal next month!!!!! hahahahahahaha!
Nice to see you here,....but can you take the pace?? & will the magnetic switches on me rt+"s stop turning themselves off around pylons??

[Miguel]

will the magnetic switches on me rt+"s stop turning themselves off around pylons??

I'm having a similar problem... i'll send you an e-mail Robert, these are some uncommon tx's wich I would like to get some more info...

[Talib]

Could some one pls tell me what the output of the Power Max in mW is?

Thx

Moritz

You can work out the approx output power of any transmitter using the following method:

Find the rated capacity of the transmitter battery either from internet data sheets or possibly battery packaging - the 1632 lithium 3v battery for the PowerMax is rated at 125 mAh (milli-ampere hours) which means the battery can power 125 mA for 1 hour, or 1 mA for 125 hours. To convert mA(milli-ampere) to mW(milli-watt) multiply mA by the voltage, which in the case of the 1632 battery is 125 mA x 3v = 375 mW.

Therefore the 1632 battery has a capacity of 125mA/375mW. The battery can power the PowerMax for approximately 9 days according to the Marshall website, which is 9 days = 9 x 24 = 216 hours.

The duty cycle of the PowerMax (also from the Marshall website) is 50 pulses per minute of 60 ms (milli-second) duration. Therefore, in every minute power is required for 50 x 60 ms = 3000 ms. There are 60,000 ms in a minute, and since power is only transmitted for 3000 ms in each minute there is a 1/20th duty cycle.

Therefore, multiply the battery capacity (125 mA) by the duty cycle rate (20) then dividing by total hours capacity of battery hours (216) gives an hourly theoretical absolute maximum power requirement of the transmitter of 11.574 mA per hour (11.574 mAh/34.722 mWh).

However, the conversion of electrical power to RF power is not 100%... more like 35%, therefore, the RF output power of the PowerMax is 35% of 11.574 mA/34.722 mW... which is around 12 mW RF average (over the whole time period) output power and a peak power of 12 mW RF x 20 (the duty cycle) = 240 mW.

RF power is also measured as dBm which is the logarithm scale of RF power measurement. The linear scale is mW. 12 mW = 10.8 dBm and 240 mW = 23.8 dBm.

Talib

[Dave Whitt]

Why is Garlands the only UK supplier of your product ?
By not allowing another supplier you are giving garlands a hold on the market and allowing him to provide a f*/*ing discrasfull service, Myself as well as other have been promissed things, given time scales for deliverey on repairs that transpire to be a complete load of Bo**ocks, and every time a complaint is made it get f*/*ing rudly dismissed and the US end of the opperation gets the blame.

[Talib]

Robert,
What is the big deal about the benefits of different frequencies in the UK, as far as i'm aware only 173Mhz is legal for falconry applications in the this country?


Legal frequencies permitted for falconry in the UK are: 173, 433/434, and 458.
Regulatory bumph is at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/publication/ra_info/ra114.htm

Talib

[OhMyGod]

jackobean


http://www.falconersemporium.co.uk/mrshll.htm

[Dave Whitt]

OhMyGod, unfortunatally they dont sell 216 Mhz

[Finnish]

Hello Rob and welcome to the forum.

[Moritz]

THX Talib you are the man!!!

Moritz

[RLBagley]

Robert,
What is the big deal about the benefits of different frequencies in the UK, as far as i'm aware only 173Mhz is legal for falconry applications in the this country?
I hope that this is still true as i, and many friends have invested heavily in this frequency to be complient!
There are certainly benefits to the various frequencies used. The laws of physics are such that the higher you go, the shorter the antenna can be, which is what we all would prefer. However, the characteristics in the field are different, in that the ability of the signal to 'diffract' around objects is less so they are more line of sight. You're right in that the 173 band is what's been approved for use in the UK. In Germany, it's either 151 (very long antenna) or 433 (very short). Yet for falconry, the 151 would be preferred for its performance, if only the antennas could be reduced in size.


As far as supplying Garland on a monthly basis??!!!! who are you kidding i could have died and been re-born faster.....still waiting for the Micro's?
Pete.
Well, sorry that you've been tested so severly on this (but I could show you the shipping logs if that would help!). No, the truth is we've been on a 7-year R&D blitz in terms of investment and redesign, that's now settling down. So what's happened, I'm afraid, is that new products got delayed in field testing and that's translated into the frustrating re-incarnation experiences you refer to. Again, sorry for this. But the results are now that the telemtry we all are using has greatly advanced from the 30-year old designs that were still in use when we started this effort.

Speaking of re-incarnation, I think that's why many falconers fear to believe in it, as they might come back as a pigeon in America.

[RLBagley]

Robert
Thanks for the reply.
I must compliment Marshalls on the Apollo 13 mode.
Excellent idea and it represents a forward thinking approach. Pete i recieved a new micro 05 months ago. Good bit of kit.
Well done to all.

Well, thanks for the kind words on this. Once the design was switched to a micro-processor based circuit 2 years ago, it just opened up a number of new possibilities. And it seems the perennial problem with most falconers has been to try and stretch out the batteries as long as possible, and then disaster strikes and they're unsure if they've got one day or one hour left. Introducing the idea of both a timer and a low-voltage sensor helps by letting you know when you're down to just three days left (enough time to carry on a search) or if you've put in an old battery by mistake. But the Apollo 13 Mode just made sense, to stretch out the battery life as long as possible on a lost bird.


Robert i have a couple more questions please.

Why was it decided not to carry on fitting the flashing light on the Powermax.

There were a number of reasons, but the primary one was to extend the battery life by another full day. The thinking was: the blinking LED is convenient for a few seconds before the flight, and then again for a few seconds right before you turn it off. But then it's out there consuming extra energy during the flight, with no real benefit. And in very cold weather conditions (which I realize you don't have as much over there) it was an additional power drain on a low-current battery. Also, we had customers here in the US worry that it would attract the attention of owls after dark. The new blue colored LED's are much more efficient than the reds we used, so if there were a real demand for this idea again, maybe we could incorporate it again. We still use two LED's in all of our dog collars: green indicates running normal, and red indicates low-battery mode.

Have Marshalls made any steps in creating a GPS ( Sat Nav) type of system or transmitter or is anything being put into plan.

Regards
Our plan is to be the first company to offer a 'real-time, totally terrestrial' approach for falconers that doesn't depend totally on the GPS signal, so that you don't lose it when the bird goes in to heavy cover, or somewhere without an open view of the sattelites overhead. It can't be based on a cell phone network, it can't be just broadcasting coordinates once a day like the research transmitters (hence the description of 'real-time'). But yes, it's on the radar screen and I would estimate the first field testers will be using it in another year or two. But helping falconers accept a simplified backpack mounting design, we're trying to prepare the way for a totally redundant GPS transmitter that, while very small compared to what's now being used by biologists, would still be too large for a tail or leg mount.

So, I guess the answer is yes. We, like everybody else would love to see a tracking system that actually showed you the location on a map, with actual distance, not just direction.

[RLBagley]

Rob,could you please answer the question regarding the knackerd RT+

Hello again-

(I thought I had already answered this one privately, sorry for the delay)

You can certainly send this RT here directly to us for repair/replacement. Just include a small note describing what it seems to be doing. We run it through a battery of tests here and can usually see right away. If it's just the setting for the low-battery indicator, that takes all of 1 minute to reset for you.

Best Regards-
RB

[RLBagley]

No,hes honoured to have us!!..we ,after all , pay for his extravagant lifestyle.If you can justify charging what basically amounts to a couple of mortgage payments/hard earned wages for something...you can be humble enough to answer a few questions Paul.....(p.s.Brown nosing wont get it cheaper dude,you"ll still get shagged by Garlands)!!

Hello Gaz (I guess you'll now have to tell me who this really is!). But you do have a point, in that we should be honored to have a worldwide customer base of falconers to work with. But, the part about the extravagant lifestyle, I'm not sure who you've been talking to on that one. My wife's still waiting for the old carpet to be replaced this year. But do remember, that we sell the RT+ for the same price ($195) as we did 8 years ago, yet it's an entirely re-designed animal with a multitude of new features now that we hadn't even dreamed of back then. Yet, in the meantime, aluminum has rocketed up 30% each year, the various components go up 15-20% each year, we pay health insurance for some 20 employees, and on and on, it seems. Hopefully, there's still a good ratio there in cost to value?


p.s.s.
Hi Bob,see (or annoy) you in Vernal next month!!!!! hahahahahahaha!
Nice to see you here,....but can you take the pace?? & will the magnetic switches on me rt+"s stop turning themselves off around pylons??

Yes, the Vernal Meet is now only weeks away, and all the plans are coming together. As to the mag switch, this has been a currious thing: the reported incidents were hard to track down, more rumor than fact. But to be sure, we extended the delay on the switch to a full second of magnet contact, and put several different transmitters on a fishing line, threw them up and over a 300kv power line, reeled them up to where within 3 inches you could hear buzzing and crackling sounds, and then on up and against the actual wire for 1-2 minutes . . . with no effect. Most other transmitters might possible fry. But, if you had any lingering concerns, you might try this test on your PowerMax or RT+ before flying your bird around powerlines.
RB

[RLBagley]

Why is Garlands the only UK supplier of your product ?
By not allowing another supplier you are giving garlands a hold on the market and allowing him to provide a f*/*ing discrasfull service, Myself as well as other have been promissed things, given time scales for deliverey on repairs that transpire to be a complete load of Bo**ocks, and every time a complaint is made it get f*/*ing rudly dismissed and the US end of the opperation gets the blame.
Well, you've certainly brought up a subject that's been of concern to many. Our original intent several years ago was to find a UK stockist that had the resources to make larger orders in advance, so as to be able to provide immiedate delivery right there in the green and pleasant land, rather than just waiting to bunch up 4-5 new orders at a time before calling us. This Garlands has done. They have been willing to buy ahead, have maintained an inventory of all our products and been also in the position to provide overnight warranty replacement when needed (another key thing we wanted for the UK market).

I'm afraid that in many ways, they are right if they've blamed the US operation for repeated delays, as we have certainly had our share, in large part by trying to accomplish too much in what's been three very complicated and mutually exclusive engineering challenges: get a RF circuit to the smallest size, with the most power output possible, with the very highest efficiency (and put it into a very tiny, cool aluminum package as well).

Without going in to too much history, we made some very big changes in the company's engineering department over two years ago, and the result has been to finally get the designs we originally expected: rock solid performance, totally reliable operation durability and . . . easier to produce on time.

So I believe you'll to see continual imporvement in terms of delivery and availability in the UK. In addition, we're planning to open up direct ordering from the Web site, beginning January 2006. This will have the effect of helping to normalize a worldwide price and value, I believe.

Anyway, we appreciate the support up till now, and can only promise it'll get better and better. . .
RB

[Falcons7]

Thanks for that Robert and can I tell you how tough you recivers are!!While sorting a couple of falcons out 2 days ago I put the reciever on the front wing of my landrover.I then drove about half a mile ,doing about 40mph when I heard something hit the door.Looking in my mirror I sore in horror my 10 channel number lying in the middle of the road well behind.I stopped and ran down the road,2 cars swerved to miss it,a third came along so I started waving my hands ,bad move ,he was now looking at me and never saw the reciver untill the last second.He hit the brakes ,black smoke and all that and some how sent the reciever flying up the road but when I picked it up ,apart from gravel rash the thing was still in perfect working order and I even used it a little latter.I'm sure you havn't tried this out in the lab so if you would like to buy the findings(lol)from me and save your self some money feel free

[Zam]

Hello all.

This is my first post here - although I have been visiting this forum for some time, it is the chance to ask Robert/Marshall a question, which finally made me register!!!

Anyway, my question for Robert is this - About 7 or 8 years ago, I bought a Powermax tag (173). It has a really long antenna - roughly 12-14 inches. It kicks out an awesome signal. About 8 months later, I wanted another one (my bird flies with 2 tags - tailmounted) Garlands sent me another, with a much shorter antenna. The signal was nowhere near as powerful. I sent it back and tried 3 others. Again, shorter and less powerful. Garlands informed me that you (Marshall) were no longer supplying the tags with that length antenna.

PLEASE can you tell me if it is possible to get hold of an (old?) 173 Powermax with the long antenna? Or are you bringing out a new Powermax with the same punch as my original? I currently use my old Powermax and the newer, shorter, weaker one!!
Alternatively, is it possible you could make one up for me with a longer antenna? Not something many falconers would normally want!! Hope you can help.

Thanks!

[RLBagley]

Hello all.

This is my first post here - although I have been visiting this forum for some time, it is the chance to ask Robert/Marshall a question, which finally made me register!!!

PLEASE can you tell me if it is possible to get hold of an (old?) 173 Powermax with the long antenna? Or are you bringing out a new Powermax with the same punch as my original? Alternatively, is it possible you could make one up for me with a longer antenna? Not something many falconers would normally want!! Hope you can help.

Thanks!

You may want to check with Garlands to see how many of the 2005 PowerMax they have in stock in 173 MHz. Their next batch of these is scheduled to ship at the end of the month.

With the 2005 model, we incorporated the new circuit and eliminated the base-loaded coil antenna while still boosting the power over the previous models. It now has a simple whip (9 1/2 inches) and can be used on the tail or backpack without any change to it's performance (remember, the base-loaded coil was critically tuned for its best performance when mounted on the tail, yet a lot of people wanted to use it higher up on the back due to it's flat design and magnetic tap-on switch).

Anyway, I would be pretty sure you won't be disappointed when you're able to test one of these, as it's been quite an improvement.

RB

[Mary Quite Contrary]

Well, thanks for the kind words on this. Once the design was switched to a micro-processor based circuit 2 years ago, it just opened up a number of new possibilities. And it seems the perennial problem with most falconers has been to try and stretch out the batteries as long as possible, and then disaster strikes and they're unsure if they've got one day or one hour left. Introducing the idea of both a timer and a low-voltage sensor helps by letting you know when you're down to just three days left (enough time to carry on a search) or if you've put in an old battery by mistake. But the Apollo 13 Mode just made sense, to stretch out the battery life as long as possible on a lost bird.




There were a number of reasons, but the primary one was to extend the battery life by another full day. The thinking was: the blinking LED is convenient for a few seconds before the flight, and then again for a few seconds right before you turn it off. But then it's out there consuming extra energy during the flight, with no real benefit. And in very cold weather conditions (which I realize you don't have as much over there) it was an additional power drain on a low-current battery. Also, we had customers here in the US worry that it would attract the attention of owls after dark. The new blue colored LED's are much more efficient than the reds we used, so if there were a real demand for this idea again, maybe we could incorporate it again. We still use two LED's in all of our dog collars: green indicates running normal, and red indicates low-battery mode.


Our plan is to be the first company to offer a 'real-time, totally terrestrial' approach for falconers that doesn't depend totally on the GPS signal, so that you don't lose it when the bird goes in to heavy cover, or somewhere without an open view of the sattelites overhead. It can't be based on a cell phone network, it can't be just broadcasting coordinates once a day like the research transmitters (hence the description of 'real-time'). But yes, it's on the radar screen and I would estimate the first field testers will be using it in another year or two. But helping falconers accept a simplified backpack mounting design, we're trying to prepare the way for a totally redundant GPS transmitter that, while very small compared to what's now being used by biologists, would still be too large for a tail or leg mount.

So, I guess the answer is yes. We, like everybody else would love to see a tracking system that actually showed you the location on a map, with actual distance, not just direction.


Thank you for your informative reply.

[Zam]

Thanks for your quick reply!!

I shall phone Garlands and see if they have any!!

[RLBagley]

Here's a nice new image to maybe thank you for making your way down through all that text to get some answers!
RB

[Mary Quite Contrary]

MMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Finnish]

Very nice bird. Both of them.

[Wightwings]

hi there and welcome RB....i have the 10 channel and powermax although a couple of years old now and swear by it......

[GoneHawking]

RB I have just sent a Micro transmitter back to Garlands, I bought it at the falconers fair and it worked fine when I tested it, I have just started flying my intermewed sparrowhawk and wanted to put the transmitter on her, I put the battery in but it was dead, checked with a new battery but nothing totally dead, have you had any similar problems???

PS: I have sent it back to garlands to be checked out or replaced, just wondered if you have had any other cases like this with the Micro.

[RLBagley]

Yes, do send it on and we'll turn it around as soon as possible. There's been no Micro failures, but since we designed it to accomodate three different sized batteries (the 1216, the 1220 and the 1225) we had some indicate low battery earlier than expected on the 1225, which for some reason drops lower quickly, then runs 20% longer!

Anyway, they've been as reliable as the RT+ since they're now using the same new circuit, but we'll let you know what we find.

RB

[OutFlying]

Hello Robert,
My micro is double beeping early on the 1225 battery, after a few hours. Will be contacting Garlands tomorrow.

Yours Jim.

[RLBagley]

OK, very good. We can either reset it (for the lower setting on the 1225), or you can carry on using the 1220 battery for now (which should be more readily available), and expect the normal 30 hours run time before hearing the warning. Total weight is unaffected, and stays right at 3.5 grams for the transmitter with battery installed.

RB

[GoneHawking]

My Micro transmitter was found to be faulty, Garlands have sent a new replacement, 1 day turn around, good service as far as I'm concerned.

[Falconry Equipment International]

Hi Robert and welcome to the list . As a Long term customer of Marshall products ( over 20 recievers and 100 transmitters over the years, I do hope you will find time to aanswer my questions) fisrtly I am some what dissapointed at present ( very early days with the delron 'trackpack' and the rt+ tailmount trnasmitter. . the trackpack has been fitted last friday satisfactorily , but the peregrine has managed to remove the tx within 1/2 an hour when weathering on the lawn .After this happened the 1st time I thought it was just me & too great care to 'seat the ends of the clips~ which incidentally seem to be extraordinarilly diffiuclt to 'seat' properly on both sides, unlike th tail mount which you can quite easily feel iswhen it is seated ok, but there seems to be an inherent fault/ design problem with the delron mount, or am I doing something wrong? Is the tx not supposed to be on for the whole season or at least until the battery is 1/2 used? I still have a trx 16 and Garlads never have any txs in 173 above channel 10 . will you be producing some or can you supply me direct ( I already have 1,2,3,5,6,7 &10 and some of tehse sifgnals badly interefere with each other!) ATB SJH

[Hawkmaster]

My Micro transmitter was found to be faulty, Garlands have sent a new replacement, 1 day turn around, good service as far as I'm concerned.
Never heard of that before? Well done to them!

[Falconry Equipment International]

Any thoughts on my previous post Robert?

[Falconry Equipment International]

Hi Robert would really appreciate you commenting at least on my posting last week, still having all sorts pof porblems, esp with trackpack & tailmount trx

[RLBagley]

Hi Robert would really appreciate you commenting at least on my posting last week, still having all sorts pof porblems, esp with trackpack & tailmount trx

Hello again-

Sorry for the delayed response to this, but here's some ideas for you: the regular spring has the hooks angled and rotated down to better follow the contour of the feather (when looking from the side view) when used as a tail mount. But also, looking at the hooks straight on, from the top, you'll notice they are also bent at a downward angle to better keep them from disengaging if the transmitter is pushed from side to side.

For use with the TrackPack, the dimensions of the small oval are exactly the same, but of course the curve is not as pronounced. So, feel free to tweak the springs so they are flatter (from the side) to better lay flat against the mounting plate. Then feel free to tweak the hooks at a slightly upward angle, and then see what you find.

Eventually, I suppose we'll have to start making two versions of the spring and ask people their intended use in advance, but hopefully this will help in the interim.

RB

[RLBagley]

H I still have a trx 16 and Garlads never have any txs in 173 above channel 10 . will you be producing some or can you supply me direct ( I already have 1,2,3,5,6,7 &10 and some of tehse sifgnals badly interefere with each other!) ATB SJH

Yes, the old transmitter designs (pre-2004) were all based around individual frequency crystals. However all new transmitters can be set to any frequency needed. Just order these channels that you need through Garlands and we'll get them for you. We've done them before as there are customers with 15 channel Field Marshalls, and 100 channel Stealths in the 173 range.

RB

[Falconry Equipment International]

Hello again-

Sorry for the delayed response to this, but here's some ideas for you: the regular spring has the hooks angled and rotated down to better follow the contour of the feather (when looking from the side view) when used as a tail mount. But also, looking at the hooks straight on, from the top, you'll notice they are also bent at a downward angle to better keep them from disengaging if the transmitter is pushed from side to side.

For use with the TrackPack, the dimensions of the small oval are exactly the same, but of course the curve is not as pronounced. So, feel free to tweak the springs so they are flatter (from the side) to better lay flat against the mounting plate. Then feel free to tweak the hooks at a slightly upward angle, and then see what you find.

Eventually, I suppose we'll have to start making two versions of the spring and ask people their intended use in advance, but hopefully this will help in the interim.

RB
Hi Robert I have some ideas that I wish to discuss with re the development( thanks very much BTW for the advise on the spring, will re-read it when I have the trx in front of me, so it hopefully is clearer) of the trx in conjunction with the back /trackpack. I will pm/email you in the next couple of days as these are only ideas & would like just your input if thta is ok. best regards SJH

[Falconry Equipment International]

Yes, the old transmitter designs (pre-2004) were all based around individual frequency crystals. However all new transmitters can be set to any frequency needed. Just order these channels that you need through Garlands and we'll get them for you. We've done them before as there are customers with 15 channel Field Marshalls, and 100 channel Stealths in the 173 range.

RB
What sort of time frame are we talking about here Rober? Manay thanks SJH

[Miguel Gomez]

It would be interesting to have a Reciever that switches between 172, 216 & 433mhz?

[SSL]

I have a serious question.

Can you sell me a receiver and transmitter and gaurantee neither will pack up during the season (so long as its looked after) flying a Goshawk?

[OutFlying]

Steven,
My field marshall receiver has lasted 7 seasons with the gos without a problem. Transmitter RT+ (till I sold it) was used for 5 seasons and is still working.

No electronic equipment is 100% reliable.


Jim.

[CanadaManada]

Some simple questions:
1. I have a Micro, and am in need of a new antenna. Your Japanese distributor doesn't stock the micro antennae, and only has RT+ on hand. Can I use this antenna, and if so, to what length do I cut it for 216Mhz?
2. How badly does a coiled up, been through the beak the hard way, antenna affect range and direction? I'm still getting signal, and the hawk is never out of visual range.
3. If my hawk takes a duck, with your tranny onboard, and both the duck and tranny end up drowned, is that covered under warranty?

[Peregrine1]

Hi Robert

Welcome to the forum

I think this is a good idea as the price of your competitors equiptment has incresed recently and is on par with your current supplier in the uk, Garlands. This, I believe will sway people into buying marshall sets on 173 as opposed to other of the brands on the top end of the market.

However most of the people I know have 216 and due to the advantages of friends being on the same frequency in this small country most I believe would rather get a different system if it means they can get on 216. 173 also has alot of interfearence as opposed to 216 so this is another benefit to 216 users. Telemetry is not cheap and in my opinion should be the best set you can get and should be treated with care and should therefore last a long time so people are going to put more effort into getting 216 which is what they want.

How are things in the Marshall department? are you all working flat out?

I'm sure you will be of great benefit to the forum.

Have a good season

regards

Tim

After doing several tests at garlands and at home, the 173 beat the 216 range wise quite comfortable, and though the size of the reciever is slightly bigger in the 173 and the ariels a tad longer its a small price to pay for the difference. Hello Robert and welcome been a while since we've been intouch, hope all is well. Do you plan on coming over to the UK this year.
Regards
Colin Pass

[SSL]

Steven,
My field marshall receiver has lasted 7 seasons with the gos without a problem. Transmitter RT+ (till I sold it) was used for 5 seasons and is still working.

No electronic equipment is 100% reliable.

Jim.

For the third time this season an Alpha RF transmitter packed up on me Jim, I dont think they were built for Goshawks.

I know thats nothing to do with Marshal, and as you know I had decided on switching till I heard about reliability problems with Marshal too.

All I want is a system that works, the price of them surely I'm not wrong expecting that?

[Redeye]

Steve,

May 2005 I bought 2 rt+'s both worked fine initially. 3months later when getting the young imprint going one packed up. I returned this and after a protracted period and some e-mails to Marshalls it was replaced. I then managed to drive over this and although it was still working the casing was bent and had to order another again from the US. This one seems to work ok apart from the mag switch which does not work. So am currently running at a 50% failure rate!

Ivan

[SSL]

Steve,

May 2005 I bought 2 rt+'s both worked fine initially. 3months later when getting the young imprint going one packed up. I returned this and after a protracted period and some e-mails to Marshalls it was replaced. I then managed to drive over this and although it was still working the casing was bent and had to order another again from the US. This one seems to work ok apart from the mag switch which does not work. So am currently running at a 50% failure rate!

Ivan

Thanks Ivan,

So I have a 50/50 chance of locating my hawk if I buy a Marshal, :rolleyes: probably a better ratio than the Alpha (4/4 failed so far) even though the first ran for years with no problems then just broke, since been very dissapointed. Have a Bio Track system too and the tx for that worked last season tested it this season and that doesnt work now.

Time these telemetry companies sorted themselves out I think

[Redeye]

Thanks Ivan,

So I have a 50/50 chance of locating my hawk if I buy a Marshal, :rolleyes: probably a better ratio than the Alpha (4/4 failed so far) even though the first ran for years with no problems then just broke, since been very dissapointed. Have a Bio Track system too and the tx for that worked last season tested it this season and that doesnt work now.

Time these telemetry companies sorted themselves out I think

To be honest Steve, once they are working I love the RT+'s and would buy more. The faults seem to show up straight away and I do wonder how seriously the running in/ testing of each individual transmitter is.

Ivan

[Misty]

I am extremely impressed with marshalls receiver but not so with the transmitters. I have had one excellent one still going strong after 10 years, and a whole multitude of others that have packed up. the latest to go is less than one month over the guarantee period and garlands aren't interested:-x

[Miguel Gomez]

Steve,

May 2005 I bought 2 rt+'s both worked fine initially. 3months later when getting the young imprint going one packed up. I returned this and after a protracted period and some e-mails to Marshalls it was replaced. I then managed to drive over this and although it was still working the casing was bent and had to order another again from the US. This one seems to work ok apart from the mag switch which does not work. So am currently running at a 50% failure rate!

Ivan

I would have agreed with you a couple of years ago...I think you've been a bit unlucky

I had 3in4 failure rate pre-2005, on Marshall Trannies and constantly slagging them off. In my latest collection, 2 Powermax, 2 Micro(leg and Tail) & an RT+ never had a problem apart from low battery warning beeping too soon on the micros...

It was the OLD reliabilty issues that got me into the habit of 2 trannies per bird.

Miguel

[Berkut]

Robert,
I switched to Marshalls in July/August 2004. Between me and friends we purchased 6 sets of Marshalls telemetry.
I purchased a 15 channel receiver and twice it had to be returned to America for repair within the 2 year warranty period.The 2nd time Garlands could not loan me a set so I was left with no choice but to purchase another receiver to tide me over. I have recently had to return my initial receiver for the third time with the same fault (drastic loss of distance). I have had a new set supplied buy Garlands but they have told me I may yet have to pay for it as the initial set is outwith the warranty.Surely this can,t be right under the circumstances.I look forward to you view on this.
Regards,
Neil.

[OutFlying]

It's 5 years warranty on the electronics in the receiver Neil - best check the details on the web site then get back to them.

Jim.

Below is the warranty -

Marshall Radio Telemetry warrants its receivers to be free of defects of workmanship and materials for two (2) years on mechanical and moving parts, and five (5) years on electronics from the date of purchase. If your Marshall receiver is defective, return it to Marshall Radio or one of its authorized Distributors and we will repair or replace it free of charge. However, we will not be responsible for damage from misuse, physical abuse or for the normal wear incurred from regular use. Under no circumstances will Marshall Radio be responsible for damages or loss beyond the value of the receiver itself, including the loss of a bird or lost time. The complete unit must be returned, transportation prepaid, to an authorized Marshall Radio Service Center.

[Misty]

that's good news for someone at least. now can you find that part that says transmitters are under warranty for 3 years and 1 month, pretty please:rolleyes:

[OutFlying]

that's good news for someone at least. now can you find that part that says transmitters are under warranty for 3 years and 1 month, pretty please:rolleyes:

Try a Martin Jones transmitter - 90 days warranty :oops:

Jim.

[Misty]

Try a Martin Jones transmitter - 90 days warranty :oops:

Jim.

I had martin jones transmitters in the first place - that's why I went with marshalls. In fairness, the MJ transmitters never failed, they just didn't have enough line of sight to get a signal. As long as the hawk was sitting 20 yards away they worked a treat.
I wasn't moaning about Marshall's warranty being only 3yrs. I am p*ssed because I am lers than one month outside and garlands don't want to know ( what a surprise)

[Berkut]

It's 5 years warranty on the electronics in the receiver Neil - best check the details on the web site then get back to them.

Jim.

Below is the warranty -

Marshall Radio Telemetry warrants its receivers to be free of defects of workmanship and materials for two (2) years on mechanical and moving parts, and five (5) years on electronics from the date of purchase. If your Marshall receiver is defective, return it to Marshall Radio or one of its authorized Distributors and we will repair or replace it free of charge. However, we will not be responsible for damage from misuse, physical abuse or for the normal wear incurred from regular use. Under no circumstances will Marshall Radio be responsible for damages or loss beyond the value of the receiver itself, including the loss of a bird or lost time. The complete unit must be returned, transportation prepaid, to an authorized Marshall Radio Service Center.

Cheers for that Jim.

[GriffMJ]

Question To Marshal:--

I have three Micro Transmitters...... two of them ....when I put a brand new battery in them behave as if the the battery is low and start to give a double beep on every 4th beep..... I have been told that the battery "gain" setting is too low?? Is this a common problem with the Micro? They are 216mhz...

[OutFlying]

It was a problem on many of the new type tx's, even the falconry electronics do something similar.

Just send them back Griff, they exchange for free.

Jim.

[Falconry Equipment International]

Question To Marshal:--

I have three Micro Transmitters...... two of them ....when I put a brand new battery in them behave as if the the battery is low and start to give a double beep on every 4th beep..... I have been told that the battery "gain" setting is too low?? Is this a common problem with the Micro? They are 216mhz...

griff what make of battery bare you using?

[GriffMJ]

griff what make of battery bare you using?

Renata & some other make watch batteries..... they all work perfectly in the Micro thats ok.


It was a problem on many of the new type tx's, even the falconry electronics do something similar.
Just send them back Griff, they exchange for free.

Jim.

Hmmm all the way back to the US x2 Tx ..... if the one fails then I am knackered.... prefer it if Garlands would swap them out for the US purchased Tx's...... would Garlands do that..... are they obliged to do it on behalf of Marshals?

[Redeye]

Hmmm all the way back to the US x2 Tx ..... if the one fails then I am knackered.... prefer it if Garlands would swap them out for the US purchased Tx's...... would Garlands do that..... are they obliged to do it on behalf of Marshals?


Thats what I keep telling the mrs when she moans about another transmitter landing on the doormat- you have to have spares for the spare - 2 transmitters is not enough.

[CanadaManada]

No response from our man at Marshall's since October!
He seems to be logging in regularly, but possibly isn't viewing this thread, anymore.
I am going to PM my questions to him.

[Misty]

i did pm him but got no reply either:confused:
I got over my problem with the help of another forum member who will have my eternal thanks:supz:

[OutFlying]

Why not contact Marshalls via their web site rather than pm ?

Jim.

[Misty]

i tried that for several days but all the emails were being returned undelivered:confused:

[Mark Collins]

Hi , and welcome to the forum, i have used a powermax for a number of seasons now and been very happy with its performance in the field , i like marshall transmitters , i have flown birds well over 30 years now, and used various transmiters, however the clip for the powermax that goes onto the tail has caused me lots of problems over the last few seasons , the transmiter is always coming of , its not the spring on the transmitter as i have got used to changing it on a regular basis, i have now started making my own smaller round clip , opposed to oval and havnt had any problems since, a good friend of mine lost a good gull hawk this year because of this , she was lost about october and is still in the area , he had a smaller transmiter on the leg , but initially tracked the marshall in thick cover , if it had still been on the bird he would still have her , thanks , mark.

[Stratocaster]

Have to say I am impressed with marshall transmitters, this one spent
several hours on the A9 in the fast lane! left on the roof of the car:oops:
amazingly it was about three miles from where I flew the falcon.
it works just fine, I dont use it though,
Regards Mike.

[Falconry Equipment International]

Mike I have had similar returned to me & always had an immedeate exchange so long as they are under the 3 year period, however I have had severeal crystals damaged , esp on earlier rts & rt+'s that have been wiped out during a contact with prey species in the stoop most recent probs I seem to have had is the magnetic switches switching on and off intemittently HTH

[GregMik]

Hi , and welcome to the forum, i have used a powermax for a number of seasons now and been very happy with its performance in the field , i like marshall transmitters , i have flown birds well over 30 years now, and used various transmiters, however the clip for the powermax that goes onto the tail has caused me lots of problems over the last few seasons , the transmiter is always coming of , its not the spring on the transmitter as i have got used to changing it on a regular basis, i have now started making my own smaller round clip , opposed to oval and havnt had any problems since, a good friend of mine lost a good gull hawk this year because of this , she was lost about october and is still in the area , he had a smaller transmiter on the leg , but initially tracked the marshall in thick cover , if it had still been on the bird he would still have her , thanks , mark.

Mark are you using the Marshal Mount?

Greg

[Pitbull]

Ive just come across this thread, and I would just like too say thankyou too Robert for the service given too mainly Jakki whilst we were over in America earlier this year.

[Mark Collins]

Hi ,the tail clip for the powermax transmitter , in my experience can be a bit unreliable , even after replacing the wire clip [same day] my falcon managed to lose it, its come off this last season about 5 times, this is a falcon flown at gulls, i have now made my own clips up which are tubular , and about a third smaller [oval] this has cured it, not lost it since, any thoughts on this , i did e,mail marshall direct but didnt hear anything, cheers, mark.

[Miguel Gomez]

Have to say I am impressed with marshall transmitters, this one spent
several hours on the A9 in the fast lane! left on the roof of the car:oops:
amazingly it was about three miles from where I flew the falcon.
it works just fine, I dont use it though,
Regards Mike.


Mine came off on a country lane, as I found it a huge earth laden dumper truck ran over it....still worked, but lid a pain to get off and on:supz:

[Parabuteo.de]

Hello Robert,

I know that many German falconers use your Marshall system, but
the frequencies you offer arent legal here in Germany.

Do you plan to offer your systems ( the Scout Transmitter is really
interesting for many Gos/Harris-Hawkers here) in the 433/434Mhz range?

All the best from Germany,

Claas :D

[Mark Collins]

Mark are you using the Marshal Mount?

Greg

Hi Gregmik , yes using the right mount, when it first came off bought another wire clip for the tranny , kept coming off , it might be the type of flying [pursuit falcons] quit often they would have a rough and tumble on the deck, worse one i had was , flying this season , brand new wire clip slipped the falcon at a gull on passage long flight , went on for ever multiple stoops , bound to it 250 ft up , i was there in record time in the motor, sorted her out got back in the car, transmitter was on the deck were she caught her gull, not an isolated incedent , my mate lost a very good falcon this year because of this he tracked the powermax to find it alongside some scrub, he had two transmitters on but it was dark by the time he caught up with her , she killed over the next few days every day and he couldnt get near her , she was lost for good.the tail clips are in my opinion **** , no response from marshall , as i say i use my own home made ones now. last season 3 of us flew gulls/rooks all season , every falcon at some time through the season lost its transmitter , what more can i say, mark.

[Miguel Gomez]

Hi Gregmik , yes using the right mount, when it first came off bought another wire clip for the tranny , kept coming off , it might be the type of flying [pursuit falcons] quit often they would have a rough and tumble on the deck, worse one i had was , flying this season , brand new wire clip slipped the falcon at a gull on passage long flight , went on for ever multiple stoops , bound to it 250 ft up , i was there in record time in the motor, sorted her out got back in the car, transmitter was on the deck were she caught her gull, not an isolated incedent , my mate lost a very good falcon this year because of this he tracked the powermax to find it alongside some scrub, he had two transmitters on but it was dark by the time he caught up with her , she killed over the next few days every day and he couldnt get near her , she was lost for good.the tail clips are in my opinion **** , no response from marshall , as i say i use my own home made ones now. last season 3 of us flew gulls/rooks all season , every falcon at some time through the season lost its transmitter , what more can i say, mark.

Mark

My Powermax came off twice(not done all season) and Davis's on Thursday evening...I think its a trannie spring problem as my other powermax has no problems.

If you ben one side foward and the other backwards, then clip in...stays in

Miguel

[RLBagley]

Hi ,the tail clip for the powermax transmitter , in my experience can be a bit unreliable , even after replacing the wire clip [same day] my falcon managed to lose it, its come off this last season about 5 times, this is a falcon flown at gulls, i have now made my own clips up which are tubular , and about a third smaller [oval] this has cured it, not lost it since, any thoughts on this , i did e,mail marshall direct but didnt hear anything, cheers, mark.

Hello Mark-

The engineering challenge has always been to find the right balance in making something a falconer can easily take on and off, yet the bird cannot. You evaluate tiny clearances and angles and estimated g-forces forward and back, and the pulling from side to side by a preening bird. Every little angle seems to matter.

But what's been more unusual is this- we have worked through several different spring designs (all of which fit the PowerMax and Scout tiny post dimensions) and ended up with two:

1) one has shorter 'hooks' at the top, is made with a thinner guage wire, hence is easier for the falconer to remove. When someone calls and says they have a hard time getting the transmitter off, we send them one of these.

2) the other has longer hooks at the top and is made with a heavier wire thickness. When someone says they've had a problem with the transmitter coming off after a hard blow, we send them one of these, and it seems the problem goes away.

But what's strange is that the ones needing the lighter spring to help them get it on and off, somehow later do not have them come off, whilst those needing the heavier spring for that very reason don't later say they cannot get them off. I don't know why that is.

Anyway, we now ship all PowerMax and Scount transmitters with the longer hooks.

RB

[RLBagley]

Hello Robert,

I know that many German falconers use your Marshall system, but the frequencies you offer arent legal here in Germany.

Do you plan to offer your systems ( the Scout Transmitter is really interesting for many Gos/Harris-Hawkers here) in the 433/434Mhz range?

All the best from Germany,

Claas :D

Yes, that has been in the works this last year at our facilities. I hope to bring just such a thing (433MHz versions of our transmitters) to the Falconry Festival in July. We realize this will help European falconers, even though that band is illegal to use here in the U.S. without a HAM Radio License.

RB

[Palmer]

I've got a Scout transmitter i baught to go with my luksander kit, and it's apsolutly excellant!

Stronger signal than the luksander transmitter, good job:supz:

[RLBagley]

Hi ,the tail clip for the powermax transmitter , in my experience can be a bit unreliable , even after replacing the wire clip [same day] my falcon managed to lose it, its come off this last season about 5 times, this is a falcon flown at gulls, i have now made my own clips up which are tubular , and about a third smaller [oval] this has cured it, not lost it since, any thoughts on this , i did e,mail marshall direct but didnt hear anything, cheers, mark.

Another thought on this: the spring mount system was developed by the French about 20 years ago and has worked reasonably well. It's allowed a lot more people to move away from using only leg mounts, and paved the way for the backpack design, I believe. It seems every transmitter manufacturer now has their version, ranging from a simple heat-shrink attached approach to wrap-arounds for tiny posts machined right into the transmitter case. And all seem to have different dimensions and successes.

We're experimenting with another way to easily mount and remove transmitters from either a tail or trackpack, and it'll go into the field this season for thorough testing. The key part is that it does away with the spring altogether, yet is simple to remove by the falconer, impossible to remove by the bird. It's been a matter of scheduling times on our VMC machines to make up the final versions in Delrin, and with all else that's been going on, it gets delayed, but it's going to happen.

When the first ones go out for testing, we'll do some updates here as to how it's going, for those interested.

RB

[RLBagley]

I've got a Scout transmitter i baught to go with my luksander kit, and it's apsolutly excellant!

Stronger signal than the luksander transmitter, good job:supz:

This is good to hear, and with the current exchange rate (nearing $2 per pound) this $125 transmitter ought to also be a real bargain? ($63 quid?)

Better yet, it turns out to have greater range and battery life than even new transmitters just announced costing $150.

[RLBagley]

Mike I have had similar returned to me & always had an immedeate exchange so long as they are under the 3 year period, however I have had severeal crystals damaged , esp on earlier rts & rt+'s that have been wiped out during a contact with prey species in the stoop most recent probs I seem to have had is the magnetic switches switching on and off intemittently HTH

Maybe I can add a few thoughts here: This is interesting to note. The magnetic switches are a very reliable device, used in millions of other applications primarily in the auto industry for example, and are known as a "Hall effect" switch. Further, it's designed into our transmitter circuit to be "fault positive," meaning that if it somehow ever failed, it would leave the transmitter running, as though it was not even there.

I believe some of the perceptions on this have to do with a few different things:

1) it's a new concept for most, and it requires a new step in your pre-flight routine, as well as your post flight procedures. We had people call who were sure they'd turned off their transmtters only to find them running the next day. But when they methodically checked by tapping the magnet and listening for the five rapid beeps followed by silence, then set it aside on the table and checked again next day, said "the problem went away." (which is good). So I think many times as this new feature was first being used, people were quick to assume that it was the switch that was at fault. Now, some 7-8 years later, it's a pretty well proven and accepted thing, and other companies are even responding to the demand by adding them as well.

2) Our RT+ and RT standard transmitters use a screw on lid as a way to completely secure the battery from ever being ripped out by a lost bird with time on its hands like with the older "heat-shrink only" design people used many years ago. Up until about two years ago, the power used to run up through this lid. This meant that if the lid got dirty over time, you might get a faulty connection. Interestingly, merely the hand oils from handling the battery and then exposed to the electric current between the two metals could even build up a littel "dark spot" that you could see, and clean, to cause a possible poor connection. We changed the lid design slightly and the dimensions of the internal gold spring (actually beryllium copper with gold plating) so that the battery no longer depends on the lid for a connection, and eliminated this potential issue altogether. But if the connection was interrupted on one of these transmitters through moving, squeezing, whatever, a switched off transmitter, it could theoretically then be turned on again. This may have been happeneing to some people. Anyway, the change in battery connection also allowed us to start using the "Bullet-lid" now, a more pointed and aerodynamic shaped lid for the RT+ tail mounts (which is really cool).

3) Other people early on were sure that a bird landing on or flying near a high power line could have the transmitter turned off accidentally. We heard of several incidents where this was happening, and some customers wanted us to even disable the mag switch in their transmitters because fo these rumors. To test this, we threw several transmitters up and over a 300KV line (with a nylon fishing line, to be safe!), and reeled them up until they made durect contact. In fact, when they got to within a few inches we started to hear a buzzing sound. Anyway, they did not shut off. It's been about 4-5 years now since these rumors were flying, and were proven false, but we still get asked the question from time to time.

So to make this even more secure for everyone, we have a one second delay in activation, and you hear three distinct rapid beeps, to know you've turned it on. Conversely, you tap or hold the magnet again until you hear 5 distinct rapid beeps followed by silence, and you can be sure it's been turned off.

And will stay off. Or, you can also order transmitters without this feature and simply unscrew the lid at the end of each flight, as we used to do.

(Kind of lengthy reply, but hope that helps)

RB

[RLBagley]

Ive just come across this thread, and I would just like too say thankyou too Robert for the service given too mainly Jakki whilst we were over in America earlier this year.

It'd be fun if you used a picture of you by your name so I could remember which happy international face we were talking to?

Anyway, thanks for the note here.
RB

[RLBagley]

griff my low battery warning stays on even after changing batteries. What make of battery bare you using?

The Micros are designed with tiny capacitors inside to allow them to continue running even when the temps get extremely low, and the current from the battery becomes just a trickle. However, this means there's a slight charge remaining in the transmitter when you actually remove the battery, and when you quickly put the new one back in, it doesn't yet know (get reset).

So a simple procedure (explained in the Owner's Manual) is to just put the battery in upside down for a split second to drain (dissipate) that stored charge, or touch the two contacts with anything else that's conductive and handy. Then put in your new battery and you'll be reset, ready to go again.

Hope that helps.
RB

[RLBagley]

Renata & some other make watch batteries..... they all work perfectly in the Micro thats ok.




Hmmm all the way back to the US x2 Tx ..... if the one fails then I am knackered.... prefer it if Garlands would swap them out for the US purchased Tx's...... would Garlands do that..... are they obliged to do it on behalf of Marshals?

Yes, they keep extra stock for this very purpose (unless it turns out to be a dirty lid or some other simple thing). They replace overnight to you, we replace later to them.

RB

[RLBagley]

No response from our man at Marshall's since October!
He seems to be logging in regularly, but possibly isn't viewing this thread, anymore.
I am going to PM my questions to him.

Yes, I had been checking periodically, but didn't know this specific was still active until recently. I have the display set to show based on most recent replies.

There's also a reservation on my part to be jumping in here too much, as a manufacturer, and be taking too much space, and seeming too self-serving.

But, what the heck. Better to try and answer where we can.

You can also send direct using "rob@marshallradio.com" if there's issues, the answers to which, would not be important to the group as a whole.

RB

[Venividevenatio]

When the Powermax was first available, a former colleague who works on miltary airfields extensivly tested the magnetic switching against all the electronics that can be found there. Power, radar, ILS, PA etc.
The tag was never switched off, but he didn't test to see if would switch on!

[RLBagley]

When the Powermax was first available, a former colleague who works on miltary airfields extensivly tested the magnetic switching against all the electronics that can be found there. Power, radar, ILS, PA etc.
The tag was never switched off, but he didn't test to see if would switch on!

Did he do any sort of write-up on this effort? Sounds like something that would really answer some people's concerns.

RB

[RLBagley]

It would be interesting to have a Reciever that switches between 172, 216 & 433mhz?

Yes, but unfortunately you'd also need three antenna arrays as well, one tuned for each band, although the 433 ends up being double the 216. . .

Anyway, if that comes, it probably won't be from us. Sorry.
RB

[RLBagley]

I have a serious question.

Can you sell me a receiver and transmitter and gaurantee neither will pack up during the season (so long as its looked after) flying a Goshawk?

Yes. . .

And not to sound flippant here, as I only say that because we do it regularly, and have a pretty good idea of what the problems have been, what they are now, and how many, as a percentage shipped, ever come back.

One customer over here, Steve Chindgren, uses two RT+ leg mounts in the most grueling way possible: he flies five longwings 5 days a week for seven months, switching the same two transmitters to the next bird each time, so that these transmitters each get the abuse equivalent of 50 slams on sage grouse per week in extreme temperatures, or 1,400 slams over the course of the season. He then goes on to do Shows at our local Zoo through the summer, using them there.

He told me that prior to using equipment from Marshall Radio, he would buy 12 transmitters from another US company knowing he'd be down to about two by the end of the season. He's also been given free transmitters from yet another US company (he actually bought ours) as he's so well known, but won't use them. In my mind, he qualifies as the hardest use customer in the world.

So, yes, I'd send you our current technology, the best we now know how to make and guarantee it for more than one season.

RB

RB

[Miguel Gomez]

Yes, but unfortunately you'd also need three antenna arrays as well, one tuned for each band, although the 433 ends up being double the 216. . .

Anyway, if that comes, it probably won't be from us. Sorry.
RB

Would it be possible to have a combo 173-216 being that those frequencies are closer?
Miguel

[RLBagley]

Would it be possible to have a combo 173-216 being that those frequencies are closer?
Miguel

Yes, these are closer together, yet still far enough apart that we have two different yagis for them (216 boom lengths are 12 inches and 173 are 15 and the elements vary to the same degree).

Wish I had a different answer but that's the physics at present.

RB

[Miguel]

Robert, do you know if there's Scout's selling in Spain?
I have to e-mail Abilio or Marco, but I'm having trouble with my e-mail service...

[RLBagley]

Robert, do you know if there's Scout's selling in Spain?
I have to e-mail Abilio or Marco, but I'm having trouble with my e-mail service...

Yes, International Falconry received a shipment of them about one month ago. Try contacting Abilio Caetano using: abilio@cetreria.com

RB

[RLBagley]

Hi ,the tail clip for the powermax transmitter , in my experience can be a bit unreliable , even after replacing the wire clip [same day] my falcon managed to lose it, its come off this last season about 5 times, this is a falcon flown at gulls, i have now made my own clips up which are tubular , and about a third smaller [oval] this has cured it, not lost it since, any thoughts on this , i did e,mail marshall direct but didnt hear anything, cheers, mark.

Mark, you might not already be aware that we make two springs for the PowerMax, two different wire thicknesses and two different length of hooks at the top. We can send you the heavier one, easy to install right there in the field, and see if this problem goes away for you.

What's funny is that we have some customers who don't have any problems with the shorter hook versions coming off, and have even gone ahead and filed down the hooks even shorter to make them easier to remove!

Anyway, in thinking about your problem with this, we've just decided that for 2007 we're going to send out all new PowerMaxes with both type springs and let the customer choose. That should minimize the frustration.

Any one of our customers on this Forum who've had this issue with their PowerMax, just send me a private message and we'll forward the heavier spring with longer hooks to you.

In the meantime, we're working on a new "springless" concept for attaching tailmounts (and backpacks) that will be field tested this season and maybe we can evolve beyond the 20+ year old tail-spring design?

RB

[Palmer]

Is it possible to buy a cap for my scout transmitter, so it can be leg mounted?

It's only got a tail mount clip on at the mo

[Hawkmaster]

Anyway, in thinking about your problem with this, we've just decided that for 2007 we're going to send out all new PowerMaxes with both type springs and let the customer choose. That should minimize the frustration.

Any one of our customers on this Forum who've had this issue with their PowerMax, just send me a private message and we'll forward the heavier spring with longer hooks to you.Wow great service!:wink:

In the meantime, we're working on a new "springless" concept for attaching tailmounts (and backpacks) that will be field tested this season and maybe we can evolve beyond the 20+ year old tail-spring design?

RBAny sneak preview pictures?

[RLBagley]

Is it possible to buy a cap for my scout transmitter, so it can be leg mounted?

It's only got a tail mount clip on at the mo

Actually, not the cap, but on the body. The first 200 or so were machined as one way or the other, to save weight, but then we quickly had more people with requests like yours, to be able to use them either way, so now we make them all with the bewit mount on the case.

If that's what you'd like, we can trade you out for a Scout tailmount that has the bewit mount on it.

Just send me a message with your details.

RB

[Miguel Gomez]

Mark, you might not already be aware that we make two springs for the PowerMax, two different wire thicknesses and two different length of hooks at the top. We can send you the heavier one, easy to install right there in the field, and see if this problem goes away for you.

What's funny is that we have some customers who don't have any problems with the shorter hook versions coming off, and have even gone ahead and filed down the hooks even shorter to make them easier to remove!

Anyway, in thinking about your problem with this, we've just decided that for 2007 we're going to send out all new PowerMaxes with both type springs and let the customer choose. That should minimize the frustration.

Any one of our customers on this Forum who've had this issue with their PowerMax, just send me a private message and we'll forward the heavier spring with longer hooks to you.

In the meantime, we're working on a new "springless" concept for attaching tailmounts (and backpacks) that will be field tested this season and maybe we can evolve beyond the 20+ year old tail-spring design?

RB

Hi

The above is true, I have one powermax with longer hooks, never come off...but my older Powermax has short hooks that came off last Saturday on both slips.

Did'nt know Marshall did two different clips, I thought they were different lenghts because they were hand-made hence the inconsistency, as opposed to machine-made, being perfect everytime.

Miguel

Miguel

[Miguel Gomez]

Sorry, yet another question...my old Powermax 216 has a short stubby antanae, my 2006 Powermax is at least double in lenght??

I guess to get better range, but are the short antenna still availiable?

Miguel

[Onyx25]

Hi, I am considering buying some new gear from you as mine is getting a bit dated :rolleyes: My question is about buying direct from yourselves. If I buy direct it is obviousley far cheaper BUT what level of after care will be provided with for instance a broken transmitter? How long would the turnaround for replacement or mending be from the states? Thanks Titus

[RLBagley]

Sorry, yet another question...my old Powermax 216 has a short stubby antanae, my 2006 Powermax is at least double in lenght??

I guess to get better range, but are the short antenna still availiable?

Miguel

Yes, back in 1999, the original goal was to design the PowerMax to be "the Ideal Tailmount." At that time, few people in the US and Europe were using tailmounts and we thought we could change that if we improved a few things on the physical transmitter design, function and packaging. Hence, the flat shape, the tap-on magnet switch, the short 6-inch antenna. We didn't even offer a leg mount version. It was to be dedicated to one particular mounting method. . .

Anyway, we achieved such a short antenna without sacrificing power (actually, increasing it), by using a base-loaded coil design. The coil was made from a copper wire wrapped around a threaded piece of polycarbonate rod to form the base-load portion and then a few inches of regular antenna wire (the 90-lb vinyl-coated stainless steel multistrand cable that we still use). The effect was that electrically, you had a long antenna, yet physically you didn't.

However, all good things seem to have potential for the unintended consequence. The base-load antenna is adversely affected when anything else gets very close, like say, within the last inch or so in proximity. This started to then become an issue when people put another transmitter next to it on the tail, or started using them on the backpack, or even hung them on a fence to test, they would get less than the full power. We could "Critically-tune it" up great for a tail mount and get the power we were after when it was shipped out. But then falconers who, yes, started embracing the tail mount more enthusiastically, also started using it in these other ways.

So, we went back to work to figure a way to use just the traditional end-fed dipole antenna again, but keep it shorter than the traditional 13-inch whip, and that's what you're now seeing with the slightly longer one on your newer PowerMax.

With the newer antenna, at just 9-inches now, is ideal for the backpack which more and more people are buying them for, and it's not negatively affected in those other situations either.

(and we got even a bit more power over the previous model as well, which is good)

What I see happening in transmitter design over the last ten years is that more attention has been given to the mounting methods so that each design has sort of evolved to be ideal for a particular method.

RB

[GregMik]

Hey Rob,

Good to see you posting on here!!! I have a question. Does Marshall have anything in the design phase for a small receiver? Something for the shortwinger?

I have an old TRX-16 model Marshall that I have taken the pistol grip off as I have stood with my hands raised and guns pointed at me too many times.

Greg

[RLBagley]

Hi, I am considering buying some new gear from you as mine is getting a bit dated :rolleyes: My question is about buying direct from yourselves. If I buy direct it is obviousley far cheaper BUT what level of after care will be provided with for instance a broken transmitter? How long would the turnaround for replacement or mending be from the states? Thanks Titus

Hello Titus-

Yes, the trade-off in ordering direct is you lose the over-night delivery support of a local Agent like Garlands in the UK, or an International Falconry in Spain or a Stanislav in the Czech Republic.

We always use Federal Express International for shipping, which requires 2-3 days time.

The great thing about Garlands in the UK is that they maintain stock right there so that they can handle not only speedy delivery of a new item, but quickly replace something under Warranty as well. They replace it to you, then we replace it to them later, after the fact. If you order direct from the Marshall Radio Website, which anyone can now do, you cannot really expect Garlands to help with any Warranty replacements in that same way.

However, you'd be in a similar situation as customers in France or Italy or other countries where we sell direct, and the turnaround for Warranty Replacements could be longer, say 1-2 weeks elapsed time, since we have to wait until your unit arrives to send the replacement to you.

Repairs of transmitters are now pretty much handled through outright replacement, since they have dwindled to such a small number (2004 and newer models)

RB

[RLBagley]

Hey Rob,

Good to see you posting on here!!! I have a question. Does Marshall have anything in the design phase for a small receiver? Something for the shortwinger?

I have an old TRX-16 model Marshall that I have taken the pistol grip off as I have stood with my hands raised and guns pointed at me too many times.

Greg

Yes, that would be a great picture: the falconer with hands in the air, hawk on rabbit on the ground out in front, reciever up in the air in some Industrial Park outside of Chicago, surrounded by police!

The idea of the pistol grip that's so great for that center-of-gravity-balance we all like to feel when carrying them on a longer walk, can certainly be misconstrued in more populated areas.

The 2007 Field Marshall will be about 25% smaller in dimensions, yes, but the news you're after is that it'll be "re-configurable," meaning you can take both the handle and the antenna off with a quick-release mechanism, and use it in a number of ways (which ever is safest!).

You could re-attach the handle to the collapsible yagi and hold it up separate from the "box" portion worn around the neck, you could simply remove the handle when in Urban areas and and hold it by the case (which will be easier now since it's even narrower) or keep it in the traditioanl one-piece design it now has.

We've also added capacity, in three models:

1) A ten-channel for $695

2) A 100-channel (one full band) for $795

3) A 400-channel (four full bands) for $995

It's been in field test here the last few months and scheduled to be in production in July.

Is that what you were after?

RB

[GregMik]

Yes, that would be a great picture: the falconer with hands in the air, hawk on rabbit on the ground out in front, receiver up in the air in some Industrial Park outside of Chicago, surrounded by police!

Sorry they wouldn't let me take a picture.:lol:

Greg

[RLBagley]

Do you have any Offers for members of the International Falconry Forum:?: :supz: :lol:

Well, we've got the standing offer of, "Buy ten, get the 11th Free," but that wouldn't help most people who need just one new tag from time to time. And we do ride our dealers to protect value, and be fair to existing customers who've already bought, by not selling equipment at discount. Conversly, they should'nt be selling it for more, which is why we now offer to let anyone from anywhere order direct from the website, which helps have a leveling effect on prices worldwide.

But on the other hand, we can offer to spend more money (we like to say 're-invest') on R&D this year again, by a factor of say ten or twenty to one over the companies we compete with.

Hmm. And, we can offer to do even more field testing on any change or modification to a product before allowing anyone to buy it, as that would certainly help.

Let's see, as a valued Marshall Customer from abroad, I can personally offer to let you stay at our place in Idaho and show you some great flying of birds on grouse and ducks just a short walk from your sleeping quarters, should you ever come to the US. I even have tea (Earl Grey I believe) still left in the cupboard from when Andy Ellis visited, to make it even more pleasant for Brits.

Lastly, we should not just offer, but promise, to do an even better job in handling problems when they arise. There are a lot of great ideas coming along in telemetry still, but we cannot end up having it be like the sad lament about computers and cell phones: "Technology is great. . . when it works." So, it has to be reliable first, and then the company has to be responsive and fair if there's a problem, second.

(and have a lot of cool features available nowhere else, which goes without saying)

RB

[Mark Collins]

Another thought on this: the spring mount system was developed by the French about 20 years ago and has worked reasonably well. It's allowed a lot more people to move away from using only leg mounts, and paved the way for the backpack design, I believe. It seems every transmitter manufacturer now has their version, ranging from a simple heat-shrink attached approach to wrap-arounds for tiny posts machined right into the transmitter case. And all seem to have different dimensions and successes.

We're experimenting with another way to easily mount and remove transmitters from either a tail or trackpack, and it'll go into the field this season for thorough testing. The key part is that it does away with the spring altogether, yet is simple to remove by the falconer, impossible to remove by the bird. It's been a matter of scheduling times on our VMC machines to make up the final versions in Delrin, and with all else that's been going on, it gets delayed, but it's going to happen.

When the first ones go out for testing, we'll do some updates here as to how it's going, for those interested.

RB

Hi RB thanks for the info , still not convinced , will go over to backpacks next season, but modify the clip, cheers, mark.

[Miguel]

The 2007 Field Marshall will be about 25% smaller in dimensions, yes, but the news you're after is that it'll be "re-configurable,"...
We've also added capacity, in three models:

...
2) A 100-channel (one full band) for $795

3) A 400-channel (four full bands) for $995

It's been in field test here the last few months and scheduled to be in production in July.

Is that what you were after?

RB



Could you give some more info on this? I'm buying another receiver soon (to replace a stolen one - thieve with great taste) and the 25% smaller, 100 channel one seems great to me...

Well, we've got the standing offer of, "Buyten, get the 11th Free," but that wouldn't help most people who need just one new tag from time to time.

RB

Does this offer stands for your international dealers or only when buying directly from you?

[RLBagley]

Could you give some more info on this? I'm buying another receiver soon (to replace a stolen one - thieve with great taste) and the 25% smaller, 100 channel one seems great to me...



When they're available in July, they'll be available to anyone anywhere in the world, as just the new 2007 version of the Field Marshall (with a few improvements).

RB

[RLBagley]

Does this offer stands for your international dealers or only when buying directly from you?

This would be when buying direct, yes.

RB

[Turumti]

Robert,

What exactly do you mean by a "reconfigurable" receiver?

[RLBagley]

Robert,

What exactly do you mean by a "reconfigurable" receiver?

This would mean from a mechanical point of view, with a detachable handle and antenna, both of which fit also to each other, thus allowing the user to "re-configure" how he/she uses it. . . .

RB

[Turumti]

Sounds interesting. Do you have any pictures of the new model?

[RLBagley]

Sounds interesting. Do you have any pictures of the new model?

You'll be able to see new pictures sometime in June or July on the Website, where the announcement and details will be. . .

RB