the recovery of araba's ptt in karelia

8/6/2019 The Recovery of Araba's PTT in Karelia

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The Recovery of

Arabas PTT inKarelia

joseba felix tobar-arbulu

(Coordinator*: [email protected])

Abstract. In our third experiment about the tracking of the Scolopax

rusticola in 2008, Arabas PTT kept emitting up to October 20th. We knew

that the bird was dead or its PTT detached, since the activity sensor was

without changing during all the last emissions. We try to recover that PTT

in 2008 with the help of MTI and of some researchers. But there was no way

to get it.

In September 2009, with the help of some organizations and of some

researchers we tried a new approach to find that PTT.


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Finally, using a special methodology developed some time ago by Paul Howey

(MTI) and with the invaluable help of very good friends, we recovered the

PTT.

1. Introduction

As Bernd Meyburg writes1,

Rings or transmitters? In some ringing records publications ST[Satellite

Telemetry] is discussed and it is pointed out that despite this technique

ringing is still necessary. This gives the impression that the two methods

are in competition with one another. We would like to make it clear that

this is far from being the case. On the contrary, both methods complement

one another. ()

VHF or UHF telemetry? VHF telemetry (VHF = Very High Frequency, 30 to 300

MHz), also called conventional or ground telemetry has been available for

much longer than ST or UHF telemetry (UHF = Ultra High Frequency, > 300

MHz). ()VHF and UHF telemetry can however complement each other. Ideally

both methods can be employed simultaneously when, for example, the

behaviour in the breeding area is to be studied in detail. VHF telemetry is

however unsuitable for migration studies.

Furthermore, as we have proved in Karelia, VHF telemetry is

the real good method to find lost PTTs.

2. Data given byArabas PTT in Rantala

As said in a previous paper2, Arabas PTT gave data3 up to

October, 2008.

From September 14th on, in all the different emissions the

activity sensor did not change: the bird was dead and/or his

PTT detached.

Here the last data given in October (2008):

2nd (Z loc.), 7th (A loc.), 17th (Z loc.), 20th4 (Z loc.).

After being some months without emitting, the PTT startedagain emitting5 on May 5th, 2009.

1 See Meyburg, B.-U. and C. Meyburg (2009) Wanderung mit Rucksack:

Satellitentelemetrie bei Vgeln.2 See Scolopax Rusticola without frontiers:

http://www.euskonews.com/0522zbk/gaia52202en.html ; see also Scolopax

rusticola without frontiers: Araba from the Basque Country to Karelia,

paper to be presented in Rabocheostrovsk, in 2010.3 In all these data the activity sensor was without changing.4 Last emission given by Arabas PTT in 2008.5 After so many months without emitting, here is the PTT working and with

very good charge. The performance of the new PTTs with the new technology

used by MTI is really good. Congratulations MTI people!


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Here its emissions:

In May:

5th (A loc.), 13th (B loc.), 15th (1 loc.), 18th (B loc.), 20th (2

loc.), 23rd

(A loc.), 25th

(A loc.), 28th

(1 loc.), 30th

(2loc.).

In June:

2nd (2 loc.), 4th (B loc.), 7th (B loc.), 9th (3 loc.), 12th (B

loc.), 15th (Z loc.), 17th (B loc.), 20th (Z loc.), 22nd (A

loc.), 25th

(B loc.), 27th

(A loc.), 30th

(B loc.).

In July:

2nd (A loc.), 5th (A loc.), 7th (1 loc.), 10th (B loc.), 12th (2loc.), 15

th(B loc.), 17

th(A loc.), 20

th(0 loc.), 23

rd(B

loc.).

In August:

2nd (B loc.), 4th (Z loc.), 7th (B loc.), 9th (2 loc.), 12th (A

loc.), 14th

(Z loc.), 17th

(Z loc.), 20th

(Z loc.), 22nd

(2

loc.), 27th (A loc.), 30th (B loc.).

In September:

1st (Z loc.), 4th (Z loc.), 4th (Z loc.), 6th (B loc.), 9th (B

loc.), 11th

(Z loc.), 14th

(1 loc.), 19th

(2 loc.), 24th

(A

loc.), 27th (Z loc.)6, 29th (Z loc.)7.

Notes:

1)In all the data given in 2009 the activity sensor was

without changing.

2)On September 27th the emission had a single message.

3)We had a single chance8 to find the PTT: the emission

given on September 29th.

3. In search ofArabas PTT

6 Data given when we were travelling to Suojarvi. (We did know that datum

on September 27th, at night.)7 Last data given by the PTT in Rantala. (Data given when we were

physically very close to the PTT, trying to find it. At that moment, we did

not know this datum.)8 On October 2nd we have to leave Suojarvi early in the morning for the

trip to come back home.


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We decided to try and find Arabas PTT with the help of many

different people and organizations.

a)Organizations: the CCB itself, FEDENCA, IREC, plus MTI.

b)Contacts via internet: Dr. Nikita Chernetsov, Dr. Mikhail

(Misha) Markovets and Mr Sergey Ponomarev.c)Contacts in Suojarvi, Karelia: Dr. Alexandr Artemjev and

his son Ilya and Mr ValeryShpilevoi.

d)Basque team: Pablo Gonzlez, Rubn Ibaez, Adolfo Cruz

Iglesias, David Rubio, Ibon Teletxea and Joseba Felix

Tobar-Arbulu.

4.Main steps for the recovery of the PTT

Here the outline of the main steps for the recovery of Arabas

PTT (ID 83300).

4. 1. Before going to Suojarvi, Karelia

(a) Methodology for the recovery

The methodology used was designed by Paul Howey (MTI)9.

(b) Proofs

Some proofs were performed with Laguna-2s PTT (ID 83297)10.

That PTT was put in different places, then trying to locate

it: with the scanner plus the Yagi antenna, only with thesmall antenna of the scanner, without any antenna at all, with

different frequencies (above and below the frequency the PTT

emitted), silencing the scanner in different positions and so

on and so forth...

(c) Locations

We had a good location given by Argos on June 10th: a 3 class

location, and some more 2 class locations.

83300 Date : 10.06.09 01:12:40 LC : 3 IQ : 60Lat1 : 62.361N Lon1 : 32.143E Lat2 : 64.623N Lon2 : 19.891E

9

See http://www.microwavetelemetry.com/newsletters/winter00_page4.pdf .10 Proofs performed by Ibon and Rubn using Pauls methodology.


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(Note: Take care of the forest road among the different locations.)

We did know, since last year (2008) that the PTT was close to

Rantala in the surroundings of Suojarvi:

Rantala:

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=souyavri&countryCode=RU#map=62.36667,32.11

667|13|32&bd=useful_information&loc=RU:62.36667:32.11667:14|rantala|Rantala

,%20Respublika%20Kareliya

Suojarvi:

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=souyavri&countryCode=RU#map=62.08333,32.35

|13|32&bd=useful_information&loc=RU:62.08333:32.35:14|suoyarvi|Suoyarvi,%20

Respublika%20Kareliya

(d) Contacts through internet

With the help of Dr. Nikita Chernetsov, we contacted Dr.

Mikhail (Misha) Markovets and with Misha's help a friend of

his born in Suojarvi: Sergey Ponomarev.

Misha gave us two clues: Rantala ( in Russian:

622200N 320700E) northwest from Suojarvi ( in

Russian: 613300N 301200E).

Sergey told us that Rantala was the Finnish name of a kind ofsmall village or of a big farm.


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Misha sent us a map of Karelia. (See map below to locate

Rantala.)


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Sergey and Misha sent us a different map of Rantala.

So, we were able to locate the real Rantala and the possibleposition of the PTT in that map.


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Furthermore, Nikita and Misha gave us the crucial mans name:

Dr. Alexandr Artemjev, of Petrozavodsk.

4. 2. In Suojarvi, Karelia

(a) Data given by the PTT when we were traveling from SaintPetersburg to Suojarvi

83300 Date : 27.09.09 08:51:07 LC : Z IQ : 00

(Note: We knew that datum, a single message!!!, on September 27th, at night)

(b) In Suojarvi

After meeting Alexandr and his son Ilya, we went towards

Rantala in two cars with GPS and the scanner (just in case).

(Note: Rantala is up on the left)


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(Note: Take into account the small forest road from the first square on the

left towards Bumacapa. Also, before reaching Bumacapa, in perpendicular to

the forest road on the right, the space is with no river at all.)

(Note: Look at the bridge inside the second square from the right)


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Problem. The forest road which could bring us to Rantala was

cut: the bridge over the river was broken From that point up

to the 3 class location: 10 kilometers.

We changed plans and went through another forest road up to a

point where the road was divided into two mini roads. Distancefrom that point to the 3 class location: 7 kilometers.

We decided to do that on foot, to walk. It was raining 7

kilometers to reach the 3 class location and another 7

kilometers to come back to the cars

With the help of the GPS we fixed the 3 class locations

coordinates in the forest:

We took a rest in the forest road. We fixed that point on the

forest road too.

Distance from the forest-road fixed point to the 3 class

location coordinates: 356 meters (see below).

(c) D day

(c-1) Interesting data

1)Used methodology: Finding a lost PTT-Part 2, explained

by Paul Howey11.

11 See http://www.microwavetelemetry.com/newsletters/winter00_page4.pdf.


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2)Kind of scanner: ALINCO-DJ-X3.

3)Frequencies: Main frequency12: 401.682. Upper frequency:

401.687. Lower frequency: 401.675.

4)Time the PTT was emitting: around 3 hours and a half.

(c-2) PTTs emission

We knew the emission given by the PTT on Sept. 27th:

83300 Date : 27.09.09 08:51:07 LC : Z IQ : 00

So, we thought about two possibilities: (i) The emission was

given at the beginning of the cycle or (ii) at the end.

We calculated the possible beginning of the emissions in those

two cases:

Either the PTT would start emitting at 15:51 UTC (19:51 localhour) or at 23:51 UTC (3:51 local hour).

We had to plan to stay in the forest from 19:51 (Sept. 30th)

up to the end of the possible emission in the second case:

3:51 + 8 = 11:51 (Oct. 1st).

So, around 16 hours in the forest We needed special clothes,

sleeping bags, food, tea, vodka13,

(c-3) Approach to the point

We arrived by car, along a new forest road that was not in the

maps, at the point market the day before at around 19:30. Set

up the Yagi antenna, and around 19:55/20.00 the scanner

started to receive good signals. So, we did know, at that

moment, that we would not spend the whole night searching for

the grail. At most, eight more hours Good start!

12 Here some of the frequencies of the different locations of the PTT given

by Argos: 401 682591.3 Hz; 401 682771.3 Hz; 401 682754.5 Hz; 401 682692.6

Hz; 401 682675.0 Hz; 401 682701.2 Hz; 401 682636.9 Hz; 401 682549.2 Hz; 401

682781.5 Hz; 401 682754.4 Hz; 401 682747.6 Hz; 401 682757.6 Hz; 401

682794.3 Hz; 401 682790.8 Hz; 401 682812.4 Hz; 401 682757.6 Hz; 401

682770.4 Hz;13

All these things and much more were provided by Valery Shpilevoi, theowner of the guest house in which we stayed in Suojarvi. Valery took our

project as his own.


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Moving the Yagi in all directions, we realized that the best

signal was done in a direction almost perpendicular to the

line between our position in the forest road by the car and

the 3 class location fixed the day before.


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We started walking along the forest road in the direction the

Yagi antenna market, and reached a point where all the

different signals were too good: so, we needed to do

something to differentiate the signals given in different

positions.

(Main frequency: 401.687)


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Without the Yagi antenna, and with the help of the small

antenna the scanner had, we marked some specific points on the

road. In this way, we were able to locate a space where the

PTT could be: two clear positions, around 20 meters from one

to the other, in which the signals clearly changed.

In order to know the possible area where the PTT were, we left

the road and went into the forest: 10 steps. The same on the

other side of the forest road: 10 steps into the forest.

Taking into account the changes of the signals while playing

with different frequencies (the main and good frequency of the

emission of the PTT, one frequency above that and another onebelow that), we were able to `locate the PTT inside an square

of about 15 x 15 meters.


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Then we performed a similar proof walking 5 steps into the

forest from both sides of the forest road. Now without the

small antenna of the scanner and also changing the

frequencies.

(Lower frequency: 401.675)

The square was of about 10 x 10 meters. Taking into account

the size of the forest road, we said, without any doubt at

all, that the PTT were in a rectangle of about 2 x 3 meters in

one side of the forest road or on the other side.

With the scanner in silence, in different positions, being

inside the forest, getting the signals while being looking at

the road or given the back to the road, after a lot ofmeasures, we decided, without any doubt at all, that the PTT

must be in a particular side of the road, and not in the

other. The decision was very clear. We spent a lot of time:

more than half an hour to take that decision: making all the

possible changes in the scanner: in silence scale from 1 to

10-; changing the sensibility: 5 different degrees of

potency,etc

Since we could see the floor, the surface of the forest road

with a light, we decided that the PTT were in a rectangle of

about 2 x 3 meters.


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With a not very good light14, we started to look inside that

rectangle. We saw PTTs everywhere: all the leaves were wet and

with the bad help of the light (and our imagination!) the PTTs

appeared everywhere.

There were two small fir trees, and we took off their tips tobe even surer about the real position of the PTT. We felt that

the PTT was under our own noses, that it could bite us

So, we decided to stop its finding and come back the next day

in the morning, to pick up the PTT; to pick up it, since we

were 100% sure that the PTT was there.

(The PTT finished emitting at around 11:15 local hour, so it

was emitting around 3 hours and 20/25 minutes. Just the time

we needed to locate it. No more and no less!)

Since the other team went to catch woodcocks, previously we

have decided to wait until they came to start dinner. We

thought that they would appear around one oclock in the early

morning, mid night. So, we were some time waiting for them.

There were no communication, no mobile coverage. We did know

nothing about each other.

When the second team arrived, and before having dinner (later

than mid-night!), all of us went to the rectangle to show

our friends the situation of the small fir trees. We decided

to come back the next day, and go dinner, not to step on thePTT.

Alexandr and Ilya were looking for it between the two fir

trees. We told both of them 5 (five) times to leave the place

and come to have dinner. They ignored us!

Two minutes later, Alexandr and Ilya, Ilya and Alexandr gave

us the news: Here it is.

14

The good lights were with the other team, catching woodcocks. They sawone and caught it.


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(The PTT and one of the fir trees)

(If you cant see the PTT, enlarge the image)


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Dinner, vodka, Karelian cognac, long life the Basque Country!,

long life Karelia! and so on and so forth.

The Karelian team (Valery, Ilya, Alexandr):

The Basque team (Ruben, Ibon, Pablo, David, Adolfo and

Joseba):

(c-4) Main results

(i) Coordinates and distances:

PTTs coordinates:N62 21.381 E32 08.332

Forest road fixed points coordinates: N62 21.592 E32 08.193

Distance from forest road fixed point to class 3 location: 356

m.

Distance from forest road fixed point to PTT: 411 m.

Distance from class 3 location to PTT: 560 m.


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(Rantala, Loc 3 and PTT)


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(PTT and Loc 3)

(ii) Emissions data:

Here the last data15

given by Arabas PTT in Rantala, region of

Suojarvi in Karelia:

83300 Date: 29.09.09 17:18:34 LC : Z IQ : 00

Here the first data given by Karelia (name of the new PTT in

honor to our friends) in Araba (Basque Country):

83300 Date: 04.10.09 10:51:21 LC : 0 IQ : 50

5. Conclusions

Here the main conclusions:

15 Data when we were close to the PTT in Suojarvi, trying to find it. At

that time with did not know these data.


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a)We have proved that Paul Howeys methodology to find lost

PTTs is correct.

We have proved that VHF telemetry is the ideal method to

find lost PTTs.

As said in an email to Cathy Bykowsky (MTI), we think that

Paul should have to re-write and publish again that

article.

b)Argos is correct when they say that the accuracy of a 3

class location is inside a circle of 250 meters of radius16.

However, as pointed out by Jean-Pierre Malard and

Christian Ortega of CLS (Argos), one should take into

account the ellipse results. The circle error is an

approximation and with flat ellipses, error estimated maybe quite different.

That was our case17.

c)In fact, to draw the ellipse of error, take a look at the

following procedure:

16 In Argoss words (http://www.argos-system.org/html/system/faq_en.html

and http://www.clsamerica.com/argos-system/faq.html), The location class

is attributed based on the radius of error. The location class and

associated error are sufficient for many applications.17 See http://www.sevin.ru/seminary/argos/Argos%20location.pdf .


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For class 0,1,2,3 locations:

- Estimated error radius (m),

- The parameters of the ellipse of error

- direction (deg/East),

- semi-major and semi-minor axes (m)

- GDOP (*) (unit: m/Hz)

For class A and B:

- The direction of the ellipse

- GDOP

* Geometric Dilution of Precision (GDOP) is a term used to

characterize the geometric strength of satellite configuration on

location accuracy. Argos location accuracy depends on the quality of

the transmitter (frequency stability) as well as the GDOP. As a

general rule, a smaller GDOP value indicates a more accurate position.

(Go to Argos: https://argos-system.cls.fr/cwi/Logon.do ---> Help --->

Online help --> Messages --->Take a look at the ellipse.)

For the values corresponding to the ellipse of error, refer to this

table:

Column

title

Error

radius

Semi-

major

axis

Semi-

minor

axis

Ellipse orientation GDOP*

Units Meters Meters Meters Degrees (from North when

heading East)

m/Hz

Once one has the data of the semi-axes of the ellipse and

also having the orientation of the ellipse, one can draw


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the ellipse which passes on these four points: there is

only one ellipse that can meet these conditions18.

d)It has been a real pleasure to know a lot of different

people: some through emails and internet (Nikita,

Misha and Sergey), others (Alexandr, Ilya and Valery) inreal touch.

All of them will always be in our memory, if only because

all and each of them were able to give us the opportunity

to have a real wonderful time in Karelia.

Thanks a lot (=Mila esker!)

Long live Karelia!

As Shakespeare wrote:Alls Well That Ends Well!

Bibliography

Meyburg, B-U. and C. Meyburg (2009) Wanderung mit Rucksack:

Satellitentelemetrie bei Vgeln, Der Falke, 56: 256-263.

18 See http://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/math/ellipse.htm:

A standard method is called theparallelogram method, and is applicable to

conjugate diameters as well as to the usual perpendicular axes. OE and EAare divided into N equal intervals. In the figure, N = 2 for simplicity.

Then draw CB and intersect with DG extended to determine a point P on the

ellipse. (In Spanish:

http://www.tododibujo.com/index.php?main_page=document_general_info&cPath=3

04_390_391&products_id=293&zenid=b3081945074ef5233c653835c67a5d34 (Through

18 steps, clicking, one gets it.)


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Tobar-Arbulu, J.F. et al. Scolopax rusticola without

frontiers: Araba from the Basque Country to Karelia (paper to

be presented in Rabocheostrovsk, in 2010).

Acknowledgements

Different organizations and wonderful people have taken part

in this adventure. Many thanks to all and each of them!

Here the people:

a)Dr. Nikita Chernetsov, Dr. Mikhail Markovets, Mr Sergey

Ponomarev and Mr Valery Shpilevoi

b)Dr. Alexandr Artemjev and his son Ilya

c)Felipe Diez and Zarbo Ibarrola were in constant touch

through internet (when possible) and through the phone

d)Jean-Pierre Malard and Christian Ortega (CLS, Argos)

Also some organizations:

1)FEDENCA (Fundacin para el Estudio y Defensa del la Caza)

2)IREC (Instituto de Investigacin en Recursos Cinegticos)

3)The TXEPETXA team of SEO/Birdlife (Sociedad Espaola de

Ornitologa)

4)The CCB itself (Club de Cazadores de Becada)

5)Argos people always have been ready to help

6)Last but not least, MTI (Microwave Telemetry Inc)

(*) This work is part of a series of different papers done by

a team composed by Ibon Telletxea, Mikel Arrazola, Zarbo

Ibarrola, Ral Migueliz, Joakin Anso, Izaskun Ajuriagerra,

Ruben Ibez, Roberto Gogeaskoetxea, Felipe Diez and Joseba

Felix Tobar-Arbulu19.

19See

http://www.microwavetelemetry.com/newsletters/TrackerNewsSpring10Complete.pd

f and then go to page 6: Finding theHoly Grail

in Russia.

the recovery of araba's ptt in karelia

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