Crazy Idea, help me out.

[New Hampshire]

Ok, the last time out for coyote I have realized the biggest weakness of my cheap set-up.  Idealy I know you want to start out low with an electronic type call and then move things up so as not to scare whats nearby.  Unfortunately when you have a tape player placed 15-20 yards in front of you its impossible to do that.  I started the player low and had to keep it there.  So Im thinking to myself there has to be some way to improve upon this, some way to keep the player with me, yet still keep the sound source away from me.  Then it hit me.  Someone MUST sell an extension cord to fit the headphone jack.  A quick trip on Radio Shacks website indeed shows they sell cords in 20' lengths......Ok part one is do-able.  A couple of cords equals 40 feet for very little weight.  Now, a pair of compact CD Discman or computer speakers, those I know they have.  Sure enough Best Buy has em.  Now the choice, though, that I need someone elses help with.  Preferably anyone who knows speakers and such.  They have a pair of powered Sonys or passive Sonys  Here they are specifically:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051384761879&skuId=4168527&productCategoryId=cat03050&type=product
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051384741900&skuId=4141066&productCategoryId=cat03050&type=product

Now all that Ohm and freq range and what not really is above my head.  Which would be a good choice for this purpose of calling?  The prices of both are in-expensive enough that I wont care either way which I get.  Just by looking at options I would have to say the Powered ones are the way to go.....but again its a bit outside my expertise  :grin: .
Any help will be much appreciated.
Brian M.
P.S. I know guys, someday I WILL get a professional calling set-up, but there are bigger and better things to get first  :wink: .

[Glanceblamm]

Look Again: Those powered speakers will work as passive for a portable unit but require the AC for powered usage.
Speaker Ohm & Freq is fairly good these days but not as important as watts per channel. This is what really makes or breaks your sound quality.

Seems like the high-end callers are around 15 watts output. Doesnt sound like much but the digital or CD's dont require near the watts per channel that the older cassette did.

How much wattage is your unit putting out? If you are up in this 15 watt range a small automotive speaker at 3-1/2" or under will probably be a much better choice.

[New Hampshire]

How much wattage is your unit putting out? If you are up in this 15 watt range a small automotive speaker at 3-1/2" or under will probably be a much better choice.

Gonna have to file that under "Idunno."  The player is a cheap Wal Mart tape player.  Ill check and see if I can find the specifics for you.  Also, the powered speakers supposedly use 4AA batteries OR the power cord.
Thanks again, Ill try and find what the wattage output is.
Brian M.

[oneshotonekill]

A cheap "walkman" type player is probably putting out less than 1 watt.  They typically will not put out enough power to drive standard automotive speakers very well.  There are a few things to consider with the speaker choices you have listed.  The more cord/speaker wire you use the more signal is lost.  These speakers are designed to run through 3-6 foot cords not 40 foot so you may loose quite a bit of power due to the length of the cords.  The amplified speakers may help in that respect because they would have more output than passive speakers However, the volume control on amplified speakers is usually on the speaker itself and the volume control on the tape player would be dependant on how the volume was set at the speaker.  If I were in your shoes I would choose the amplified speakers due to the possibility of higher output and they would still work as passive speakers.

[dangerranger]

I have a setup simular to yours. A Kmart tape player, 75' of extension cord,and an outdoor speaker. tape player is not the walkman size, its more breadbox size. it works well enough if I keep the volume down under 50%. after that it starts to distort. this worked even better after I added a decoy to this setup. its alot like the rigor rabbit. when the dogs have something to look at they seem less critical of my setup.

[Glanceblamm]

It appears that all is not lost. You guys be sure to let me know when you get the remote control hooked up :eek:
Perhaps the drive linkage that you salvaged from that cheap R/C car will operate a mechanical switch (existing or new) to either operate the button or power supply.
Your would still have to deal with a preset volume but will have the capability of placing the player about 200ft away from your location. :grin:  :?

In the mean time keep listening to the tapes and practicing with those mouth calls. They really will work.

[New Hampshire]

Thank you folks very much.  I guess Ill get the powered speakers and test them out.  Hopefuly its just a short term deal and withing a year or so Ill get a real electronic caller.
Brian M.

[dakotashooter2]

Rather than buying the 20 foot extentions why not buy a 100 or 200 foot spool of speaker wire and install the jacks yourself. You'll probably get more bang for your buck that way and have the spool to wind the wire onto.