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write your own review of the Communications Specialists (CSI ) , PR-100, CT-1.
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WA1OJX
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 7, 2005 15:15
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Send this review to a friend
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Works Great!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Note: The PR-100 is a 100 channel version of the PR-30 which I will review here. The PR-30 Cat Locator is made by Communications Specialists, the same company that builds the CTCSS encoder/decoders that hams have used for years. The PR-30 Receiver comes with one cat collar transmitter that is a little larger than my cats would like, but they got used to it in a day. Each transmitter is powered by a CR2032 battery which they recommend be replaced every month. Additional transmitters can be ordered on any of 30 different channels so unless you have a large herd of cats you should be able to track all your livestock without any problem. The transmitters operate in the frequency range of 218.025 to 220.250 MHz in 25 kHz steps and transmit a brief pulse about once per second.
The PR-30 receiver includes a signal strength meter, speaker, digi-switch channel sector, volume control, an ON-OFF-BATTERY toggle switch, and a three position attenuator (0, -30, & -60 dB) switch. A BNC connector is provided for the antenna and an easy to use battery tray houses a 9 volt battery.
The two antennas include an omni-directional rubber duck and a directional antenna for location. The directional antenna is made of ½ inch circuit board strips that form a rectangle approximately 20 inches wide by 8 inches high. The antenna appears to be a two-element Yagi, with one “driven” element and one reflector. Although it is somewhat flexible and appears fragile, it works great with no obvious side or back lobes and one strong front lobe.
The operation is simple and effective. You turn the receiver on, select the channel frequency that matches the cat’s collar channel and turn up the volume until you hear beeps from the collar transmitter. You select the attenuation switch setting and adjust the volume control (yes, the volume control) until you get a mid-scale reading on each transmitted pulse. You then rotate yourself through a 360 degree circle and look for the direction that the signal strength is the greatest and walk in that direction. As you get closer to the collar the signal strength will increase and you correct your direction and adjust to volume and attenuation as necessary. The receiver does not overload when you get near the collar and you still get a good pattern even when you are only a couple of feet from the transmitter. Your cat can run, AND he can hide, but you will still find him! I haven’t had a chance to test the maximum range but out in the country where I live I have tracked one of my cats from about a quarter a mile. I believe it might operate a little longer than that.
The manufacturer states that the Cat Locater can also be used to find model airplanes, your kids at the mall, theme park or beach, and Alzheimer’s patients. I’m even thinking about putting one on my car keys. The Cat Locater works as advertised and is easy to use. I’m completely satisfied. –de WA1OJX
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