Fox Pro...on steroids???

[Silvertp]

Ive been using a fox pro 532 for coyotes and at times would like to have more volume.  Have any of you figured out a way to put this call on steroids?  Maybe if I had younger ears it would seem loud enough, but I don't think so.    

I know the kids around the high school can get their car stereos loud enough to deafen an old boot so I figure there must be a way.

I'd appreciate hearing the details if anyone has worked this out.

Thanks
Silvertp

[Glanceblamm]

It would really depend on the watts per channel that the foxpro 532 produces...perhaps this information is avalible in your paper work or told in an on-line ad?

Many have used the 40watt Radio Shack mini-amp in between the lower end calls & the speaker or even portable CD players or Mp3 players and have plenty of volume. I dont really see them as being louder than your foxpro but it could be?...One thing to keep in mind is that with the speaker facing away from you is that the sound is traveling a much greater distance in that direction.

If you still want more power you could replicate a call that I made in the early 80's...I had build a wooden box just long & narrow enough to house a motorcycle battery along with an 8 track player complete with a cassette adaptor for that Johnny Stewart tape and a 250 watt automotive equlizer!!..the speakers were mounted on either end of the box and the sound was great! Trouble was that it felt like it weighed 20lbs on the way out and 40lbs on the way back so I only took it once!...This is the digital age though and you can probably come up with something with comparable volume but I dont know what that would be as your power sorce "or battery" would be the key.

To summerize, I think that your foxpro is probably louder than you think...especially considering that it is some distance in front of you with the speaker facing away (can you hear the sound echoing back to you against the far woods?) You might try patching the Radio Shack mini-amp into your foxpro if it has an external speaker jack & you have an auxillery speaker but it may not be worth the expense considering the foxpro name.
(What happened to the spell check tab  )

[Silvertp]

Glanceblamm,

Thanks for the information.  Sounds like you were on the cutting edge of mechanized varmit calling with your wooden proto-type.  Should have left that battery and the call strapped on to the motorcycle, then you could have "rode your call" to the woods and back.

You're probably correct, the Foxpro most likely has all the volume I need.  Ive always been used to having the sound in my face, as mouth blown calls are my usual fare. 

I do find myself operating the Foxpro at max or near volume much of the time as Im calling big open rolling hills cut up by shallow drainages.    Can't say that Ive ever heard the sound echo back, but Im probably not calling under great conditions to get an echo. 

Just checked and my 532 has 2 external jacks one is labeled "audio" the other is labeled "speaker".  I'll do some checking on the watts per channel and maybe check out the RS mini-amp.  Gotta admit I like its compact / packable size now so Im not likely to go too extreme during this project.

Silvertp

[Glanceblamm]

Should have left that battery and the call strapped on to the motorcycle, then you could have "rode your call" to the woods and back.

Not a bad idea on the whole but I like to approach my call sites like the coyotes were indians after my scalp...in other words, I like to use the terrain to hide my approach when ever possible. Sometimes you will have to cross some open areas and there is a chance that you will be spotted. It is for this reason that I like to wait 20 to 30min before calling once I get to the site...the principle behind this is the Attention Span of a Fox or a Coyote may only be around 10min or so. If you are seen by either of these coming in to an area they may forget that they have ever seen you shortly after you are hidden away in the blind.

Theoretically, using this principal,  one could use an ATV or such to get into the area of call locations but you might consider giving the area plenty of time to quiet down before doing any calling and have the ATV well hidden. It would have done me no good in my case as the bike was a 750cc complete with Windjammer fairing hahaha

Sounds like you were on the cutting edge of mechanized varmit calling with your wooden proto-type.

Actually I just could not afford  $150 (at that time) for the Johnny Stewart caller. I was pretty handy with the electronics though and was one of them that the guys would come to when they had an eight track or a CB radio to install in their vehicals. Nearly 20 years would pass before I built another (three actually) but I was so well versed in using the mouth calls that I could never bring myself to take one and they were quickly commandered by my Son & Son-in-law who have had good luck with them. You would think that they would be satisfied but now they want remote controls!

[Silvertp]

Glanceblamm,

You sound like one of those folks that was good to have as a friend.  When it comes to electronics I have 5 thumbs and a mental block.  Wiring running lights to my pick-up is a "big deal" for me.

Interesting comment on the attention span of a coyote / fox.  I never really thought of it, but my guess is you are right.  Think I'll allow the call area to settle down a little longer when I make a set-up from now on, sure can't hurt. 

Haven't done anything to my call yet...got distracted.  Guess my attention span isn't quite on par with the canine crowd.

Silvertp

[Glanceblamm]

Glanceblamm,

You sound like one of those folks that was good to have as a friend

Sometimes I am downright unpopular and this happened to me just last month. A friend had moved to a new house in the late fall but he and his Wife did not like their 24wide by 50’ long garage because there was only one switch at one end for the lighting. The existing 12-2 on the light circuit had been scabbed in much like the old ball n knob wiring with fixtures that had been tacked into place on the overhead rafters. My friend was with me getting the supplies and he approved the junction boxes, porcelain fixtures, 50ft of 12-2, 100ft of 12-3, and a couple of three way switches along with some wire ties and black tape.

We were caught flat footed though when his angry wife (yes, unfortunately I was there) in her infinite wisdom & sarcasm said “You Mean To Tell Me That We Paid $100 To Add One Switch?” Scared me to death and I thought that I was going to have to pay them back hahaha. You know the Women though…you turn on the switch and the light comes on and that is all there is to it. I really do like this gal but she is one of them who is 49% sweetheart 51% B....

Interesting comment on the attention span of a coyote / fox.  I never really thought of it, but my guess is you are right. 

I think that this is the view point of the Biologist regarding the canine brain & how it works. Us Laymen (or hunters) do know that the Wildlife can associate sound and what to avoid. This can be demonstrated by what we would call the (call wise) predators. It also doesnt help things out one bit on the Coyote who has been shot at & missed. Other more common noises would be vehical doors slamming and people talking...
In the end, IMO, it just makes good sense to let the area (quiet down) before calling.