Recco R9 User manual

DETECTOR
QUICK GUIDE
RECCO THEORY &
SEARCH METHODS
R9

2
PAGERECCO THEORY
1. RECCO R9 DETECTOR CONTROLS ..................................... 5
2. RECCO R9 DETECTOR............................................................ 6
2.1 BATTERIES .............................................................................................6
2.2 CHARGING ............................................................................................6
3. RECCO REFLECTOR ............................................................... 7
4. RECCO TECHNOLOGY ........................................................... 7
5. RECCO BASICS ........................................................................ 8
5.1 RANGE ................................................................................................... 8
5.2 FACTORS AFFECTING RANGE ....................................................... 8
5.3 DETECTOR FUNCTION CHECK.....................................................10
5.4 DETECTION ZONE .............................................................................11
5.5 DETECTING A RECCO SIGNAL ..................................................... 13
5.6 REFLECTORS ON DETECTOR OPERATOR................................. 15
6. DISTRACTING SIGNALS ........................................................16
6.1 SOURCES ............................................................................................. 16
6.2 MANAGING DISTRACTING SIGNALS........................................... 17
RECCO THEORY

3
SEARCH METHODS PAGE
1. 1. BASIC RECCO SEARCH .....................................................19
1.1 PREPARATION TO SEARCH ............................................................. 19
1.2 SIGNAL SEARCH ............................................................................... 20
1.3 COARSE SEARCH ..............................................................................22
1.4 FINE SEARCH......................................................................................24
1.5 PINPOINT SEARCH ............................................................................24
2. ADVANCED SEARCH TECHNIQUES ................................. 25
2.1 SEARCHING AMONGST RESCUERS.............................................25
2.2 SEARCHING ON SKIS.......................................................................26
2.3 SEARCHING FOR MULTIPLE BURIALS ........................................27
2.4 SEARCHING FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES .................................29
2.5 SEARCHING WITH MULTIPLE DETECTORS.............................. 30
3. 3. SEARCHING FOR 457KHZ TRANSCEIVERS .................31
4. ARE YOU RECCO PROFICIENT? ......................................... 33
5. 5. SUMMER STORAGE .......................................................... 34
6. 6. ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND INFORMATION ........... 34
SEARCH METHODS

4
RECCO THEORIE

ON
457
< 5 m
4 - 20 m
18 - 60 m
OFF
ON
ALT
SENSITIVITY
OFF
RECCO
2
4
5
3
7
13
10
9
12
11
8
6
XXXX  XXX
1
5
RECCO THEORYSEARCH METHODS
1. RECCO R9 DETECTOR CONTROLS
1. RECCO power control
2. Blue LED light
3. RECCO on/off
4. ALT (channel) switch
5. Serial number
6. 457 Sensitivity
7. 457 ON/OFF
8. Handle
9. Internal speaker
10. Battery
11. Headphone jack
12. Charging port
13. Security strap holder

6
Batteries should be checked on a
regular basis according to the de-
tector check form.
Additional batteries can be
purchased from RECCO AB.
▸ Charging time: 2 hours
▸ Operating time: 2 hours
▸ Battery life: 5 years / 400 charging cycles
▸ Battery warning: Short beep = change/recharge battery immedi-
ately
2. RECCO R9 DEDECTOR
The R9 Detector uses a lithi-
um-ion battery pack which provi-
des fade free power for its entire
run time. This means power from
the battery will drop from full
to zero once the full charge has
been drained. An audible warning
alerts the operator when battery
needs to be recharged.
After every use, plug the R9 De-
tector back onto its charger. To
restart the charging process, flip
the RECCO On – Off switch from
off to on for about 1 to 2 seconds
and then back to off. This ensures
the battery accepts a maximum
charge.
Charging Status
Red LED light indicates charging
mode.
Green LED light indicates charg-
ing complete.
2.1 BATTERIES
2.2 CHARGING

7
RECCO THEORYSEARCH METHODS
2. RECCO R9 DEDECTOR
3. RECCO REFLECTOR
4. RECCO TECHNOLOGY
▸ Diode fixed to a copper an-
tenna, molded into plastic.
▸ Passive — no battery.
▸ Virtually unlimited lifespan —
no maintenance.
▸ Works with all RECCO de-
tectors.
The detector’s directional an-
tenna uses harmonic radar to
generate a directional signal.
The detector and reflector work
together to direct the rescuer to
reflector’s exact location.

ON
457
< 5 m
4 - 20 m
18 - 60 m
OFF
ON
ALT
SENSITIVITY
OFF
RECCO
8
▸ Steady blue LED indicates
full power.
▸ Click the +/– slider to adjust
power level.
▸ Flashing blue LED at less
than full power.
POWER
When turning on the detector the
default power level is always at
full power.
Only the latest version of
detectors indicate a low
power level by a flashing
blue LED.
Relative affects on range caused by different mediums.
Air
Snow - dry
Snow - wet
Water
up to 120 m
up to 20 m
up to 10 m
up to 0.2 m
5. RECCO BASICS
5.2 FACTORS AFFECTING RANGE
5.1 RANGE
!

90º
9
RECCO THEORYSEARCH METHODS
POLARISATION
The RECCO system is polarized
to achieve the best signal.
When the antenna is parallel with
the reflector the range and signal
are at maximum.
Therefore, rotate the detector
slightly from side to side to seek
the maximum signal.
TERRAIN AND DEBRIS OBSTACLES
Differences in the buried terrain and the irregular surface of the de-
bris can mean different depths of snow to search through.
5. RECCO BASICS

10
Prior to the start of winter and during the winter, routinely check the
detector’s range and battery.
BATTERY CHECK
The battery should operate for
about 2 hours at temperatures
below zero (0ºC) before the low
battery alert sounds.
RANGE CHECK
80+ m with reflector 1.5 m above the ground
10+ m with reflector on ground
Refer to the detector
check form.
5.3 DETECTOR FUNCTION CHECK
!