Marshall Amplification Field Marshall 100 User manual

Page 1
Owner’s Manual
OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 2
Field Marshall Tracking Receiver
Contents:
Introduction........................................................................3
Getting Started..................................................................4
Receiver Controls........................................................6-11
In the Field—AQuick Tutorial .....................................12
FrequentlyAsked Questions........................................16
Advanced Telemetry......................................................23
Radio Propagation..........................................................28
Tracking Strategies........................................................34
Warranty..........................................................................40

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Owner’s Manual
Congratulations onyour purchase of the all new digital Field Marshall receiver.
It combines superior range and convenience in a compact and rugged design.
The Field Marshall is great for tracking Marshall Transmitters under any condi-
tions (see page 37).
- More frequencies (100, 800, 1000, or 4000 frequency models).
- Broad and smoother tuning.
- Increasedrange (more than anyother receiver, and equal to
the Marshall Stealth).
- Much less noise and static interference
- Pinpoint accuracy (to within inches of the transmitter).
- Omni-directional sound.
- Smaller, narrower size.
- More ruggedantenna design.
- Quick-Release handle.
- Improved range detection.
The digital Field Marshall won’t sound likeyour old receiver, because it has
unique Polyphase Filters that dramatically reduce the background noise. The
quietness means thatyouwill hear the desired signal crystal clear and be able
to keep thevolume down without blastingyour ears with noise.
This quietness translates into better range and increased speed in finding your
transmitter.
Introduction

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Field Marshall Tracking Receiver
The Quiet One ™
When you turn on your Digital FieldMarshall, you’ll notice the
quietness immediately. You usually won’t turn it up asloud as
your old receiverbecause you don’thave to. While other
receiversare producing lots of noise, the new Field Marshall is
producing more signal.
How does the digital FieldMarshall’s lower noisetranslate intobetter range? Well,
the answer is that with all receivers it’s the noisefloor of the receiver that ultimately
limits its range. Any receiver can amplifya weak signal froma farawaytransmitter.
The problemis that when youturn up the volume to amplifythat weak signal the
noise just gets louder as well andcontinues to overpower the signal*. That’s why
the difference between a mediocrereceiver andthe best receiver is sophisticated
filtering and expensiveelectronic devices that minimizenoise. Itturns out that’s the
only way toincrease the range of a receiver. Other receivers simply make aloud
sound, but loudness alone means nothing interms of range.
* The technical term for thesensitivity of a receiver, or its ability to discern weak signals,is
the signal-to-noise ratio.A higher signal-to-noise ratio translates directlyinto better sensi-
tivity and range, regardless of howloud the actual output of the receiver is.
“The Quiet One” comes through with a more effective and pleasant
tracking experience.
Introduction, cont.

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Owner’s Manual
Getting Started
The first thing to understand is howto deploy the collapsibleyagi antenna,
which is a full-size three element Yagi Antenna for maximumrange and
pin-point accuracy, using Marshall’s patented design.
1
Remove the receiver
from whatever carrying case you
are using (hunting bag, holster or
carrying case) and hold it pointing away.
2
Push forward on the rear
of the slide bar. The spring-
loaded elements will automatically
(instantly!)flip out into the open position.
Warning: to avoid injury be sure to keep a
careful distance fromyour face or
others when performing this procedure.
3
Lift the Center Elements
up and out of their slots one at a
time and let them spring open .
First, remove your receiver from your
field holster or backpack.
Second, push forward on the rear of
the slide bar to release the spring-
loaded elements out into position.
Next, lift the ends of the center
elements, one at a time, up from
their notched holders. They will pop
out into their correct positions.
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D

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Field Marshall Tracking Receiver
4
Reachforward and pull the slide bar forward to fully
extend the forward elements until it clicks into place.
The antenna won’t give its best range and pin-point
accuracy unless fully deployed as shown in the
picture above.
To collapse the antenna, follow the same steps in reverse:
- Slide the Slide Bar with the two Forward Elements
back toward the receiver.
- Rotate the CenterElements into their collapsed
position.
- Rotate the two BackElements and clickthem into their
silver clips.
Finally, pull the director elements out forward until they click at their ex-
tended position. The yagi is now fully extended and ready for use.
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D
REMEMBER!

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Owner’s Manual
5
Turning It On
The receiver is turned on by rotating the Volume Knob on
the front panel. It turnsoff again by turning to the left with a
final click.
6
Tuning
The frequencyis selected with the three numbered
switches (two switches in
the case of the FM100.)
Theyindicate the kilohertz (KHz) of
the frequency.
The frequencyof the receiveris
very accurate (within one KHz) but
to get the best tone may need to set
the frequency1 to 3 kHz above or
below the frequency marked on your transmitter. This is perfectly
normal. If you can’t hear the signal at all, try moving through the
whole range of numberson the rightmost digit. For example, if your
transmitterismarked 216.025 you may end up tuning somewhere
between 216.022 and 216.028 (possibly even further away.)
The FM4000 Model has a Band
Switch which givesyou a choice
of which megahertz(MHz) band
you want to tune to. (For example,
each of the 216, 217, 218, and 219
MHz bands.)
The Fine Tune Knob isavailable so you
can adjust the frequency slightly (within one
KHz.) The tuning isvery broad and not “touchy.”
When tracking an extremely weak signal this
knob isuseful because you will get the best range by adjusting the
Fine Tune to the strongest pitch (about 700-800 Hertz, or the upper
end of the treble clef on a piano).
For everyday tracking you can set Fine Tune anywhere you want –
many people prefer veryhigh tonesbecause theyare sound so
clear. Just tune to what soundsbest to you.
The F 1000
F 1000F 1000
F 1000 gives 1000 different frequency
choices.
The FM4000
FM4000FM4000
FM4000 gives 4000 different frequencies
choices by providing a Band Selection Switch.
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D

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Field Marshall Tracking Receiver
7
The Range Switch is provided to be
able to estimate the distance to the trans-
mitter, a process called ranging. When
you are driving inyourvehicle toward the
transmitterfrom a distance, the key question often
is, “when should I get out and start walking?” A
common mistake is getting out on foot too soon,
thinking you are near enough to walk. The
Medium setting helps you avoid this mistake.
When the signal can be heard on Medium, you’re
close enough to get out and search on foot.
Note: Other receivers have powerful Medium settings which tend to fool
you into thinking a transmitter is closer than it is. This high sensitivity is
good on Far, but on Medium, this is not a virtue. The Field Marshall is
intentionally designed with a weaker, and more precise Medium range.
The Near range setting is not
used in ordinary tracking. In
extreme situations it allows
you to accurately pinpoint a
transmitter which is very near
but hiddenfrom sight.
The Far range setting is for use in all situations when the signal is too
weak to be heard on Medium.
Comparing the range of two receivers set on Medium is like racing two
cars in only second gear — winning means nothing because the gear ratios
are arbitrary. Only compare performance of receivers with the ranges of
both receivers set to Far. To have a race, put them both in high gear.
8
As with any receiver,you want to avoid
overdriving it. This happens when you
turn up the Volume toofar. Overdriving
doesn’t hurt the digital Field Marshall, but
makes it soyou get the same signal in
every direction, (sometimes the signal may
actually decrease in the direction of the
transmitter.)
Solution: If the Receiver has lost directionality simply turn down the
Volume ,or switch to Medium or Near .
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D
Setting Action
Far Stayin car
Medium Start Walking
Near Lookaround you

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Owner’s Manual
Maintaining Directionality.
Avoid deflecting the Metermuch more than fullscale
(the Meteris not much use then anyway.) This can be
done by switching to Mediumor Near or just turning
down the Volume.
Batteries
The digital Field Marshall uses six AAA
1.5 Volt batteries. You can use any name
brand Alkaline batteries, although more
expensive Lithium batteries can be used
for longer life. (Older style Zinc-Carbon
batteries are not recommended.) AAA
Lithium 1.5V batteries work better in cold
weather (below about -7ºC (20º F).)
Actual battery life depends on many factors, including temperature and
how long it is used continuously. All batteries will run longer if usedfor
short periods of time with time to rest in between (rather than continuously
with no rest.)
Caution: Please observe the battery
polarity as shown in the picture and
marked on the battery cover lid – negative
on the two sides and positive in the
middle.
Energizer
Battery Typical Life
(hours)
Cost per
Hour
(USD)
AAA Alkaline 10.5 $.36
AAA Titanium 11.5 $.65
AAA Lithium 14.0 $1.07
Other Features . . .
The Low battery Light will begin to
co e on when it is ti e to change
the batteries.

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Field Marshall Tracking Receiver
External Power
The External Power Jack isavailable for
use with a standard 12 volt automotive
cigarette lighter adapter with a negative
ground. You can also use DC voltage
from any external source between 7.5
and 14 voltsthat can supplyup to 200
mA.
Batteriesin the receiver cannot be
recharged through the External Power
Jack.
Quick Release Handle
The handle can be conveniently removed
if desired by simply
turning the thumbwheel and
sliding the handle out.
Water
The Field Marshall isvery water resistant, and the speakers are
completely waterproof. It should have no problem with an ordinary
rainstorm aslong asyou shield the Front Panel from the direct
spray of the rain. That said, the receiverisnot warranted against
any water damage.
If water does get into the receiver (or if it has unusual behavior after
exposure to water):
First: Immediately turn off the re-
ceiver and take the batteries out.
(Wet batteries may swell up and
become impossible to remove.)
Set the receiver on a flat surface
with the Front Panel tilted downward
so the water drains out the bottom
of thefront. Don’t turn the receiver
back on until it is completely dry.
The “drying out” position