Almost all of the technical information about the PicoDopp ( and other ) equipment is posted on various web pages, on this website. If you can’t find the information ( or don’t want to try... the website has become very large ) then general e-mail inquiries and technical questions about the PicoDopp DF can be directed to me : Bob Simmons. International inquiries are welcome, my e-mail address is : pelican2@silcom.com ( please note the odd spelling... )

If you would prefer to speak to me by phone, leave a callback number ( pacific time zone, daylight hours = GMT - 8 ) at U.S. phone number 805-994-0618. It may be a few hours before I reply. ( e-mail is the fastest way to get my attention ) Specify the call is about DF equipment.

NOTES : Transmitter purchases require valid amateur radio license… provide your call sign.

Standard MicroHunt transmitters are encoded with CW message "MOE", which is repeated over and over at 8 WPM until station ident is sent at 15 WPM. Standard TX duration is 60 seconds, standard repeat time ( = time from start of one TX to start of next TX ) is 120 seconds.

For custom CW messages, additional information is required from the user, to allow encoding of the CW message, into the micro. If you desire a custom message, custom TX time or custom TX repeat interval, please specify these parameters when ordering. Two CW speeds are available, approx 8 WPM and 15 WPM. Please consider CW speed and message length when specifying the message... don't try to send 100 characters in 10 seconds, even at 15 WPM.

International-style hunts employ multiple transmitters on the same channel, carefully "timed" to prevent overlapping transmissions. The repeat time for each transmitter therefore is determined by the number of transmitters used at the same time. If the TX duration is 60 seconds and 2 TX are used, repeat time must be 120 seconds, 3 TX = 180 seconds, 4 TX = 4 minutes, etc.

1. This equipment is only sold as assembled / tested PC boards, not as finished instruments. Additional assembly work by the buyer is required. Some technical skills are therefore required, including : ( 1 ) Ability to read and follow a schematic diagram, ( 2 ) Reasonably good soldering skills, ( 3 ) Mechanical assembly skills, and ( 4 ) Moderate metalworking skills, specifically for the PicoDopp antenna platform. Generally, it takes about 2 days to assemble and test a PicoDopp DF, ( at a moderate pace ) if all the skills, tools and materials are available.

2. All the information required to build and use this equipment is provided on the website, and no additional information is included with the equipment when it ships. ( no "instructions" ) Potential customers should read the material on this website and then decided if they have the skills required to finish the assembly of the equipment, and use it. If doubts persist, consider getting help from a friend... it is almost impossible for me to "troubleshoot" a problem by e-mail, and several different problems can cause almost identical symptoms that are almost impossible to diagnose without actually "being there".

3. The buyer must also provide the additional materials, hand tools and equipment to complete the assembly. Details about these requirements are provided in the web pages for the specific items, or questions may be directed by e-mail to Bob Simmons.