HUNT
ONE
- Information
The
1974 Toyota Land Cruiser was purchased new in Hawaii. The
following are the vehicle's specifications. Model FJ40,
165 hp, 6 cylinder 236.7 cu.in engine equipped with dual
fuel. It has a 4 speed synchro-mesh transmission with 4x4
transfer case, Warn locking front wheel hubs, full time
limited slip differential in rear end, front wheel drive
limited slip differential engaged with push button air actuator,
weight 5780#, Phoenix weight 1560# and total weight 7340#.
From
1975 to 2977 provided hunting transportation to Kaena Point
on island of Oahu for the elusive Francolin grouse. Hunted
for wild goat, pig and sheep extensively on the side of
the Big Island's Mauna Kea slopes of Hawaii in an area called
Laupahoehoe.
From
1978 to 1982 provided transportation for hunting in California
for pheasant, duck and deer and visited Mexico's Baja peninsula
for excellent bird hunting. Traveled to Montana and explored
fishing holes in Wyoming and Idaho.
From
1983 to present has been used in the Olympic and Cascade
Mountain ranges of western Washington for hunting.
An
expedition to the Arctic Ocean and Alaska in 1988 was enhanced
by the fact that the vehicle was able to run on two different
fuels: gasoline and propane. In addition to propane being
economical, the unusually large capacity allowed for extensive
exploring in areas where fuel; considerations would have
been a limiting factor. We never worried about having enough
fuel, however, we were kept busy changing flat tires. Seven
flat tires in 7,000 miles in three months.
SYSTEMS
Huntronics: The
term Huntronics was coined to describe the combination
of various electronic resources that enhance the vehicle's
overall capabilities.
Navigation
- Hunt One has two navigation
systems. The primary navigation system is with two satellite
receivers. The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides
position information down to within 1/4 mile, and a Differential
Global Positioning System (DGPS) provides position information
down to within yards. These two satellite systems provide
NMEA 0183 (National Marine Electronics Association 01-83
[Jan 1983] ) data strings into a Pentium computer and display
it on a topographical map screen. The secondary navigation
system involves a combination of compass, altimeter and
a computerized measuring device using internal sensors requiring
no external inputs.
Primary
Navigation System. A
computerized map screen display accurately depicts the vehicle's
position at all times. This position information can be
shared with others through radio transmissions. Either one
of two communications devices accomplishes this. One is
a Microphone Encoder or Mic_E for short. The vehicle's location
is transmitted to provide continual tracking of the vehicle's
location anywhere in the U.S. and portions of Canada on
a network seen by anyone with a similar capability. This
network is called Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS).
The second device is a Terminal Node Controller (TNC) and
provides tracking information of others on Hunt One's display
while allowing digital messages to be sent and received.
RDF (Radio Direction Finding) bearings can also be transmitted
into APRS in this configuration.
Secondary
Navigation System. The
secondary navigation system employs magnetic compass, maps
and a barometric altimeter and an internal electronic system,
called CompuCruise, which does not rely on satellites but
gets all its data from internal sensors such as fuel flow
meters and drive shaft rotation sensors. It tracks fuel
and ground miles. Once these sensors are calibrated at the
beginning of each trip they supply accurate data information.
CompuCruise displays and calculates fuel, miles per hour
and measured miles; and it provides backup navigation data
for correlation with the DGPS topographical map displays
on the computer screen. This system is always on line in
case of primary system failure.
Communications
- Communications capabilities
are short and long range provided by equipment covering
from Very High Frequency (VHF)/Ultra High Frequency (UHF)
to High Frequency (HF) including digital.
Active
Communications. Two HF radios allow communications over
long distances. Usually when transmitting on the large 150-watt
HF radio all other communications equipment is secured.
Telephone calls can be made using local mountaintop repeaters.
One of the dual-band VHF/UHF radios can be used to cross-band
repeat, meaning that you can use a 1 watt handheld radio
and remotely talk on voice via Hunt One's radio at 50 watts,
thereby increasing your range of communications. Local field
communications are done with handhelds. One handheld radio
with a built-in TNC has the ability to take inputs from
a GPS and transmit APRS tracking data as a personal tracker
while on foot in the field. This same unit is so light that
it can be easily carried in a small pack on a hunting dog.
Digital
Communications. The TNC
mentioned above serves in a dual-role capacity. In addition
to being used as an interface to integrate the navigation
and communication systems, it is also used to send electronic
mail. The TNC, actually a radio modem, sends PACKET messages
via radio transmission similar to email in the way it transmits
ID and location information from the GPS. With the computer,
keyboard messages can be sent via two systems: the APRS
and PACKET system. The flexibility these two systems offer
is that the operator at the other station need not be at
the station to receive the messages.
Passive
Communications. Three
methods of finding out what is going on around you are:
- Use
of the Xplorer, a Near-Field Receiver that scans from
30MHz to 2.5GHz (minus cellular phones) every second.
This information is integrated with navigation GPS
and can be downloaded to a display map. Any station
transmitting in your area will be heard by the Xplorer.
It captures associated data such as DTMF (Dual Tone
Multi-Frequency), Sub-audible tones, etc.
- Use
of either RDF system, Doppler or the Agrelo Engineering
DFjr provide line of bearings on transmissions from
other stations. The use of the RDF in conjunction
with the GPS/APRS provides plotted lines on computer-displayed
maps.
- Television,
AM/FM radio and cassette player for entertainment.
Alarm
System. Radio transmitter
silent alarm system.
Electrical:
The vehicle's
primary electrical system is 12 volts DC (direct current).
Local power distribution or one of the two AC generators
provides AC (alternating current) 110 volts.
External
Lighting: In the brush
the vehicle can be illuminated in a 360-degree direction
with white lighting. It has forward red lighting for field
use around geese and ducks for transportation to field blinds.
Large 150-watt halogen floodlights provide excellent visibility
in the field.
Internal
Lighting: Numerous personal
reading lights. White and red for field night vision.
Batteries:
Two main deep cycle batteries
in engine compartment. One small alternate reduced electrical
electronic battery when large batteries are operating winch.
Emergency
Start Battery: An independent
emergency gel-cell battery pack.
Battery
Charger: Built-in 1 amp
trickle charger.
Generators:
A small 650-watt generator
provides power for communications over protracted periods
of operation. The larger 2Kw generator is primarily used
for camping support providing power for much large appliances
such as heaters and battery chargers.
Jumper
Cables: One 20 foot welding
cable set stored externally on either side of roof rack.
A second set of cables stored internally, are a 15 foot
8 gauge set, that connects to a special external connector
on front end of vehicle without gaining access to battery
compartment.
Emergency
Beacon: Amber-flashing
beacon mounted in left rear window.
Bulls
Eye Lanterns: Two large
self-contained hand carried spot lights mounted externally
front and rear.
Droplight:
One small Toyota 12 VDC drop
light with plug-in connection in glove compartment.
Flash
Lights: Two 3 cell
and two 90 degree two cell flashlights. Two portable penlights
and two movable red/white map lights mounted front and rear.
Portable
Hand Floodlight: One 300,000-candlepower hand spotlight
stowed internally.
Antennae:
The vehicle has almost two
dozen antennae quick-connect/disconnect base mounts located
on just about every surface of the vehicle. Most antennae
are stored until needed. Different antennae provide a variety
of wavelength links to the diverse communications suite.
When passive, or in the listening mode, all high-power transmissions
are secured. This is to prevent damage to the sensitive
radio direction-finding receivers. Transmissions on handhelds
or re-transmitting RDF bearings at low power can be accomplished
during direction finding.
Logistics:
A computerized listing of
all Hunt One parts, consumables and loadout items are kept
in one database program called SPARES. A separate microfiche
file displays and lists all factory parts. The SPARES program
is kept current, and before any trip a load list is printed
with special items for a particular type of hunting or fishing
trip included. In addition to water, food, emergency medical
and CPR equipment, tools, clothing, hunting supplies, knives,
hatchets, cooking equipment and myriad personal items, the
vehicle loadout consists of over 700 line items for field
repairs. As a point of interest, on a trip in southern California
one major field repair was needed for a cracked carburetor
float. It was accomplished 120 miles from home by the flick
of a switch. We just shifted from gasoline to propane and
drove home. General storage is accomplished by use of bags.
Each green nylon bag has a name and a load list of its contents.
Items in the bags are tagged and stored in smaller plastic
bags. Whenever an item is used it is put on an order list
in the computer and restocked at first opportunity. When
an item breaks or needs to be replaced because it has become
worn two may be purchased: one for the repair and one for
SPARES.
Fuel
System: The
dual-fuel system of gasoline and propane affords the vehicle
a major resource for extended travel. Total fuel capacity
allows approximately 1,500 miles of travel depending on
loadout and terrain. The engine has two carburetors. Due
to space restrictions under the hood the propane carburetor
is attached to the intake throat of the gasoline carburetor
by way of a venturi. The same throttle, choke and both carburetors
utilize cruise control linkage. Switching from one fuel
to another is as easy as flipping a switch. One mechanical
and two electric pumps, several lock-out valves, a fuel
flow measuring device, coded lock switch, numerous electrical
switches, indicator lights and gauges make up the Fuel Management
System (FMS). The fuel system will NOT operate unless you
have 12 volts available, and a four-digit code must be entered
into a keypad before entry into the FMS is allowed. The
carrying capacity means that you really have to work at
running out of "gas". The CompuCruise System mentioned above
is connected to the gasoline fuel system and measures fuel
flow via a sensor in the fuel line. In addition to being
the secondary alarm system, an audible Alarm System, part
of another computer also monitors engine temperature, pressure,
rpm, speed and voltage and can be programmed to alarm any
of these conditions if certain parameters are exceeded.
Recovery:
A four-wheel drive vehicle
would not be complete without a "recovery" capability. Hunt
One is no exception and has many options.
Equipment.
Starting on the front end
there is a 10K winch with 150 feet of 5/8" steel plowed
cable. A 12 VDC diesel starter motor with a gear ratio of
488:1 powers the winch. A locker on top of the winch holds
assorted shackles and pelican hooks. Stored around the vehicle
at various points are 200 feet of 2" manila line, block
and tackle two fold purchase, 2,550#. Chain hoist, 20-foot
choker chain, two shovels, wire, cable cutters, crow bar,
wrecking bar, hammers, six 6-foot 5/8" cable straps with
hard eyes for fairleading, two 3" 25-foot nylon straps and
numerous other pieces of attaching tools and gear for recovery.
One important piece of equipment carried on the rear roof
rack is a 44" hi-lift jack. This jack can do double duty
as a short hall winch and has come in handy on more than
one occasion. No 4x4 should be without a hi-lift jack. There
is a special sheave that can be mounted on the front hitch,
which allows the winch cable to be reversed and enables
the vehicle to pull itself out backwards. A specially constructed
large fluke portable sand anchor is carried on the front
hood and is used in soft mud or sand to winch out of areas
where there is no purchase or deadman such as rocks or another
vehicle available.
Towing.
Hunt One can tow or be towed. At all times it carries a
front tow bar, which can hook to towing vehicle. This same
tow bar can be removed and clamped to another vehicle, which
can then be towed by Hunt One. Portable lights are carried
for this purpose and can be rigged on the other vehicle.
There are two hitches installed. The rear hitch can tow
ball or claw. The front hitch used for maneuvering boat
trailers is claw hitch only.
Air
Compressors. Air in the
tires can be reduced to provide a bigger foot print for
traction. Once on hardpan road any of the three air compressors
can refill the tires. One air compressor provides 110# air
to the air operated front differential locker, the second
one provides 120# air via vacuum actuated compressor to
the rear lifts and the third provides 90# air via electric
pump. A fourth EMERGENCY option is a hose screwed into a
spark plug hole allowing the non-firing engine cylinder
to pump air.
Chain
Saw Winch. This winch,
not normally carried, can be loaded out for high country
hunts and can be adapted to chainsaw duties or used as a
portable winch.
Emergency
Equipment. Two small
portable chemical and one large portable PKP chemical fire
extinguishers and one large permanently mounted fixed CO2
fire extinguisher supplies the engine compartment and can
be activated to the left of the drivers seat by a pull handle.
Two first-aid kits including CPR mask. One Canine [K-9]
first-aid kit.
Side
Carriers. Located on
either side to the rear of the doors are two clamp carrying
devices, which can accommodate fuel cans, metal ditch-crossing
tracks and various racks, which can accommodate equipment
such as generators, chainsaws, etc.
Armor
Plating. Stock skid plates
plus after-market retrofit 1/4" steel plating protects the
underbelly of the winch, transmission and auxiliary fuel
tank.
PHOENIX:
The
legend of the mythical bird Phoenix that rose from
the ashes fits the history of this ex-GI Vietnam veteran
off-road trailer. When purchased from DoD Disposal in Pearl
City, Hawaii the Phoenix was suffering from jungle rot and
was a rusted hulk. After sand blasting painting and replacement
of the axle it was ready for the road again. The trailer
is fitted with battery, radio, habitability equipment, tools,
stove, cooking utensils, heaters, tent, sleeping cots, 10
gallons of potable water and camping gear. In addition to
the large propane tank whose fuel can be used for motoring
or heating depending on the requirement, the Phoenix can
be used as stand alone camp. Fuel and water can be transferred
from Phoenix to Hunt One. The Phoenix has the same size
tires and wheels as Hunt One, so therefore an extra spare
is not needed. The distance between the rear wheels on Hunt
One, and Phoenix are the same as the front wheels and rear
wheels of Hunt One allowing Phoenix to track very precisely
in off-road twisting and turning trails. The Phoenix is
rigged with two metal ditch-crossing tracks for off-road
use.
|
|
|
|
|