changed the strength of the signal will change significantly. If
this occurs, review the initial angle to create a possible candi-
date bearing to the transmitter or eliminate this bearing
(bounce signal).
• Implement a “process of elimination” strategy. If the signal is
difficult to “read” remove from consideration all line-of-sight
locations that you do not receive a strong signal.
You will notice that the signal in the open field led you directly to
the transmitter while in hilly area the bearing changed slightly as
you move around obstacles and hills. This signal “bounce” is
completely normal and eventually, with practice, you will be able
to “read” the signal in relation to the terrain.
A signal is not required to be line-of-sight to yield a good bear-
ing. In gentle rolling topography with few obstructions, radio
waves can follow the contour of the ground and provide a good
bearing. However, distance estimation is complicated as the sig-
nal is attenuated (strength reduced) while following ground con-
tours. Often the bearing will change slightly as you approach
the transmitter across rolling landscape.
EFFECTIVE RANGE
Transmitter and Receiver location will effect the range we can
detect the signal from the transmitter. On flat open country with
few obstructions (trees, large rocks, homes, etc.) we will get
maximum range out of our system. In steep hilly terrain or in a
large city, the range can be reduced significantly.
Distance can be estimated after you have gained experience
tracking in the same terrain using the same transmitter. You may
note that a signal received at a gain level of 6 is much farther
away than one received on a gain level of 5 in the same terrain.
The gain scale is logarithmic not linear. This means the change
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