DIY E caller

Mpal

Mpal

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Guelph Ontario
Anybody ever tried this? I have been looking at Fox pros, and ICOtech, and Primos etc. However they are all so expensive! I have found tons of .mp3 files of different calls. I was thinking of just spending 100 bucks on a nice Bluetooth speaker, and then playing them off of my phone. Just wondering what people think. Will it work?

Cheers
 
Some people just use an old mp3 player and a speaker. No reason a Bluetooth speaker wouldn't work. Only thing might be range, you only get like 30 feet with Bluetooth don't you?
 
Suther said:
Some people just use an old mp3 player and a speaker. No reason a Bluetooth speaker wouldn't work. Only thing might be range, you only get like 30 feet with Bluetooth don't you?
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Yea thats what I figured, I didnt know if being right next to the call was a big deal or not? Any idea what kinda sound level you would need? I see Foxpros speakers go up to 110DB. but im having a hard time finding anything over 50 db.
 
I tested a Monster bluetooth speaker and my Iphone5. The range was very limited, around 20-30' with line of sight. The speaker also announces every time the bluetooth connects and disconnects in a human voice. Far from ideal. I didn't even bother taking it to the field.
 
Scamaniac said:
I tested a Monster bluetooth speaker and my Iphone5. The range was very limited, around 20-30' with line of sight. The speaker also announces every time the bluetooth connects and disconnects in a human voice. Far from ideal. I didn't even bother taking it to the field.
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This is a good point. The Bluetooth speaker i had in the past made lots of noise If it lost signal. Would constantly beep until you reconnected to it or turned it off.

As for proximity to the call, it's certainly a concern but it's not the deciding factor. The farther from you the call is, the better chance you have of not being seen. That said, plenty of people use mouth calls, which obviously come from your exact location, and people are still successful.
 
varmint Al's website has an e caller build that he walks you thru on the build. I made one and it's quite good but mine lacks a remote that makes it a pain to activate but is still very effective.
 
Im in the process of building one using two Raspberry Pi's as the remote and the player. Its still in the early stages but when I do get it put together and working I'll be sure to post how I did it. Total cost will be around $130 - $140
 
I made my first one.
Bought a Megaphone from EBAY, 35 bucks. Added a 1/8" speaker jack to the microphone input.
I can connect anything to it, MP3 player, Ipod, phone..
I chose the megaphone because it uses a horn speaker, ideal for long range volume, and a must for duplicating some of the frequencies used during coyote calling.
Volume and clarity compare to my FoxPro Fury, no distortion. I would keep it in a burlap sack while hunting.
Before I bought my FoxPro I picked up a cheezy coyote caller at wallmart for 15 bucks, 4 calls on it, but it had a remote and speaker jack, gave me about 50 yards between me and the caller.
Total build cost, $40.

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Grizzly Adams said:
All the plans I've seen call for that Radio Shack mini amp. Seems to be scarce as hens teeth. Alternative suggestion?

Grizz
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Small, powerful amps extremely affordable these days and efficient enough to run off batteries. For example: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/TPA3116-Ampl...002?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a9cd388e2

If I was going to build one, I'd use an amp like that, a decent speaker, and some D cells. Then I'd simply plug in the headphone output of one of my VHF radios into the input of the amp, and then play mp3s from my phone/mp3 player into the other VHF radio.

Total cost would be well below $50 (not including the cell phone and radios, which I already own).
 
Thanks for the heads up on the bluetooth speaker making noises when disconnecting etc! It sounds like a megaphone type speaker is the best way to go. I was thinking of just buying the foxpro Sc-60 or whatever its called. It comes with a 8 ft cord, and then I could plug my iphone into that. I would attempt to make my own with amps etc, but I am not very mechanically inclined. Thanks again guys!
 
I just Finished My DIY E caller

Version 1.1 is pretty Basic

I used a Dayton Audio DTA-1 amplifier.
This thing puts out Crystal clear sound
Specs are here... h ttp://www.daytonaudio.com/index.php/dta-1-class-t-digital-amplifier-15-wpc.html
I used a 5" megaphone speaker
h ttp://www.durhamradio.com/mode-707061-5_pa-speaker.html
and a plastic toolbox from crappy tire.
2 cans of camo paint and here it is.
Future plans include a 12v battery inside the box
and I may try a Bluetooth receiver, however range concerns me as well as the noise they make when connecting and disconnecting.

Oh The Key to this setup working well is iHunt by Ruger. Awesome app, tons of calls and very good quality.


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When I was a kid, we recorded a predator call onto a cassette tape and then played it through a ghetto blaster. We threw a white sheet over it and had coyotes run right up to it on a number of occasions. We would always leave two minutes or so blank at the beginning so that we could set it out and then run to a hiding spot etc.
 
Suther said:
Some people just use an old mp3 player and a speaker. No reason a Bluetooth speaker wouldn't work. Only thing might be range, you only get like 30 feet with Bluetooth don't you?
Click to expand...


I have read that if you replace the antenna with a better external one it will improve the range considerably... I will attempt this if I can find a decent bluetooth receiver
 
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