The Recovery of

Araba’s PTT in
Karelia

joseba felix tobar-arbulu

(Coordinator*: josebafelix@outlook.es)

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

rusticola in 2008, Araba’s PTT kept emitting up to October 20 th. 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.

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.

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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 by Araba’s PTT in Rantala

As said in a previous paper2, Araba’s 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 started
again emitting5 on May 5th, 2009.
Here its emissions:

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

Satellitentelemetrie bei Vögeln.

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 Araba’s 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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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 (2 loc.).
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 (2
loc.), 15th (B loc.), 17th (A loc.), 20th (0 loc.), 23rd (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 of Araba’s PTT
We decided to try and find Araba’s 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 Valery Shpilevoi.
d) Basque team: Pablo González, Rubén Ibañez, Adolfo Cruz
Iglesias, David Rubio, Ibon Teletxea and Joseba Felix
Tobar-Arbulu.

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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4. Main steps for the recovery of the PTT
Here the outline of the main steps for the recovery of Araba’s
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-2’s 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 the
small 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 : 60
Lat1 : 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 Rubén using Paul’s 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=62.36667,32.11667|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,
%20Respublika%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 (Рантала in Russian:

62°22′00″N 32°07′00″E) northwest from Suojarvi (Суоярви in
Russian: 61°33′00″N 30°12′00″E).

Sergey told us that Rantala was the Finnish name of a kind of

small village or of a big farm.

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

‘Rantala’.)

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6
Sergey and Misha sent us a different map of Rantala.

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So, we were able to ‘locate’ the real Rantala and the possible
position of the PTT in that map.
Furthermore, Nikita and Misha gave us the crucial man’s name:
Dr. Alexandr Artemjev, of Petrozavodsk.
4. 2. In Suojarvi, Karelia
(a) Data given by the PTT when we were traveling from Saint
Petersburg 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. Distance
from 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 location’s

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

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(c-1) Interesting data

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

by Paul Howey11.

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) PTT’s 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 local
hour) 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

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

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, the
owner of the guest house in which we stayed in Suojarvi. Valery took our
project as his own.

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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!

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.

12
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.

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 (Main frequency: 401.687)

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 one
below that), we were able to `locate’ the PTT inside an square
of about 15 x 15 meters.

14
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)

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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 of
measures, 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.

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 to
be 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 o’clock 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

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

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

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”.

(The PTT and one of the fir trees)

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 (If you can’t 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):

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(c-4) Main results

(i) Coordinates and distances:

PTT’s coordinates: N62 21.381 E32 08.332

Forest road fixed point’s 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)

22
 (PTT and Loc 3)

(ii) Emissions’ data:

Here the last data15 given by Araba’s 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:

a) We have proved that Paul Howey’s methodology to find lost

PTTs is correct.
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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 We have proved that VHF telemetry is the ideal method to
find lost PTTs.
As said in an e-mail 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 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 may be quite different.
That was our case17.

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

people: some through e-mails and internet (Nikita,
Misha and Sergey), others (Alexandr, Ilya and Valery) in
real 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!)

16 In Argos’s 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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Long live Karelia!

As Shakespeare wrote: All’s Well That Ends Well!

Bibliography

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

Rucksack: Satellitentelemetrie bei Vögeln, Der Falke, 56: 256-
263.

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) Christian Ortega (CLS, Argos)

Also some organizations:

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

2) IREC (Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos)

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

Ornitología)

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, Raúl Migueliz, Joakin Anso, Izaskun Ajuriagerra,

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Ruben Ibáñez, Roberto Gogeaskoetxea, Felipe Diez and Joseba
Felix Tobar-Arbulu.

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