The Home Made E-Caller

[SDHandgunner]

Since there seems to be a lot of interest in building an Electronic E-Caller I think this post will save some time in the long run. To start with I am no expert, but have been building E-Callers for the better part of 10 years. OK so maybe I am too cheap to buy one, but to be totally honest I guess I have yet to find one with all the features I want in a pre-made Caller. For the first several years I would build one, use it and then as I was using it I would figure out a way to make it better. For the most part this meant more compact. Sonce of the ones I have built were from ideas shared by guys that also enjoy putting these types of callers together, while other ideas were out of despiration to make the units more compact. I have used Cassettes, CD's, and finally MP3 Players for the sound source (and yes even used one of the Boom Boxes a time or two).

To start with you'll need an Amp. I have found the little Radio Shack Amp (part #277-1008 = $12.99). I have experimented with this and other amps and dollar for dollar this little amp works, provides all the needed volume for about 90% of the calling you'll ever need, and the 9 Volt transistor Battery seems to last forever (provided it is not left on when not in use for days on end).

This little Radio Shack Amp actually is in a small plastic housing and there is a little 2" speaker inside the housing. The first thing I do is to remove the amp circuit board from the original housing. Next (through trial and error) I find the sweet spot on the volume control (on off switch volume control) at which the volume does not get any louder by turning the volume past that point, but rather just increases amp hiss/noise. I then remove the volume wheel from the volume control and hot glue the volume control in a fixed position.

Since we have disabled the On-Off Switch on the amp, we need to wire in a separate On-Off Switch (Radio Shack #275-1565 = $2.59 ea). I also like to wire in a small LED Indicator Light to help in not leaving the Amp turned on when not in use (Radio Shack #276-084 - $1.99 ea). One wire from the LED Indicator Light and the Red Wire from the Amp Circuit Board get soldered to on terminal on the On-Off Switch.

The positive lead from the new 9Volt Battery Connector (Radio Shack #270-325 = $1.99 per pck of 5) gets wired to the other terminal of the On Off Switch. The negative wires from the new Battery Connector, Amp Circuit Board and LED Indicator Light all get soldered together.

That is about it for wiring. Depending on how or what you choose to mount your amp in (I use either a Radio Shack Project Enclosure #270-1805 = $3.79 or an insulated Coffee Mug) you may or may not need a couple of 90 degree adaptors (Radio Shack #274-372 = $3.99 each. The 90 Degree Adaptors are needed for clearance to get the speaker and patch cord (that goes between the amp and the sound source) plugged in inside of the coffee mug.

Next is the patch cord to go between the Amp and the Sound Source (Radio Shack #42-2497 1' patch cord with 1/8" Stereo Plugs on each end = $4.29) and the sound source. You can get a premade 6' patch cord also if you need to have the sound source farther away from the amp.

Radio Shack items parts list

Radio Shack #277-1008, Mini Audio Amplifier/Speaker = $12.99ea

Radio Shack #275-1565, SPST Soft Feel Push on Push Off Switch = $2.59ea

Radio Shack #276-084, LED Indicator Light for Amp (fits 3/16" hole) = $1.99ea

Radio Shack #42-2387, 6 Foot Patch Cord 1/8" Stereo Plug on each end = $4.99ea

Radio Shack #270-325, 9V Snap Type Battery Connectors (Pkg. of 5) = $1.99ea

Radio Shack #270-1805, Project Enclosure ((6”x3’X2”) = $3.79ea

The speaker I have found to produce the absolute BEST sound is the Speco SPC-5 PA Speaker. These can be order online from Lashen Electronics, they are $8.42 plus shipping, but they have a minimum order of $25.00. This speaker comes with about 10 feet of speaker wire and a plug attached (or at least the ones I have used have) to plug the speaker directly into the Speaker Jack on the Radio Shack Mini Amp.

On to the sound source. Your imagination and what you are willing to spend will limit your choices. Some of the guys are using some of the new I-Pods, while others are using MP3 Players and yet others digital voice recorders. I have had good luck with the Rio 600 MP3 Players, and if I had a complaint it is the small buttons and readout screen (I can not read the track titles without my glasses).

Now for you guys that have asked about WIRELESS, yes this too can be done. I have put together a couple WIRELESS Callers, but quite honestly I haven't used one all that much as I figured it was just more batteries to go dead when least expected. It is a simple matter of using a Cam Corder Wireless Mic Transmitter and Receiver to make this E-Caller Wireless. From what I have read elsewhere the AZDEN WLX-PRO Wireless Mic System is one of the better ones, and the ones I have used. These are a two channel system so if you get interference on one channel, try the other one as it may provide clearer sound.

It is a simple matter of plugging the MP3 Player into the Wireless Transmitter. With the Azden you'll need a 6 Foot Patch Cord to go between the MP3 Player and the Azden Transmitter as this cord acts as the antenna for the Transmitter. The Receiver gets plugged into the INPUT on the Amp and the Speaker stays plugged into the OUTPUT on the Amp.

Yep it is as simple as that.

Below are a few photos of a couple of callers I have built.











I am sure I have left something out, and if so just ask away.

Larry

[Brad.T]

Thank you very much for taking the time to do that we really appreciate it!

[yooperyotebuster]

ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY!


THANKS!

[cya_coyote]

sdhandgunner... thank you VERY much... i am one of the guys that can not afford the fox pro, like a lot of others... i want something that i can use with the $250 for more than hunting coyotes... and talk about sharing knowledge... this is more than you can expect from a lot of people.

also guys, i was told by one of my hunting buddies, and since i didn't believe him he proved it today... TRY USING AN ELEPHANT DISTRESS!
i was laughing so hard i couldn't shoot!! we were out and about 5 minutes we had 2 coming in... guess they thought they were going to eat for a year!! i couldn't believe what i was seeing, but it worked. unfortunately the female that was shot was covered with mange... maybe a handfull of hair in her entire body... thought it was a greyhound at first, she looked that bad.

[Brad.T]

I've heard of a lot of distress sounds including human baby crying, leopard kitten, house cat, bear cub but never an elephant in distress that pretty good! LOLOLOLOL

[SDHandgunner]

Thanks guys, you are very welcome. Hopefully all of the callers your guys build will turn out great and be what you expected.

As per the Elephant in Distress, I had to laugh at that one. But in all honesty the guy that taught me abuot Calling Coyotes always told me the distress sounds we make have nothing to do with the Prey Animals we have in our local area, but rahter something DIFFERENT that will pique the Coyote's attention / curiosity. My buddy always used a Snow Shoe Hare Call by Sceery and had very good success, but we don't have Snow Shoe Hares around here, case in point.

Larry

[apeterson]

This is so weird... I was just trying to come up with my own design for a caller.... man Thanks yours seem better!!!

one question... seems like this system would really not be that loud... am I wrong... is it loud enough for snow geese????

[Fallguy]

How the heck do you do an elephant in distress? I can imagine doing one of Randy Anderson Double Wammy. that kind of sounds like an elephant.

[SDHandgunner]

This is so weird... I was just trying to come up with my own design for a caller.... man Thanks yours seem better!!!

one question... seems like this system would really not be that loud... am I wrong... is it loud enough for snow geese????

These callers are way louder than you would ever imagine, and quite honestly louder than you should be calling. Part of the trick is to get the volume control on the amp circuit board set (and glued) at the right setting. On these amps when the volume control is turned up past a certain point the volume does not increase, but the AMP HISS does considerablly.

The night before Christmas Eve I built one of these callers for my buddies son. My buddies son went Calling on News Eve Afternoon with a buddy of his that was using a Fox Pro with remote. Dave told me the home made E-Caller was louder, clearer and had been quality sounds on it than did the Fox Pro. Now I would have to see (or rather hear this) for myself to believe it as the Fox Pro is supposed to be the Cadallic of callers.

For the record you can make this home made E-Caller much louder than you can blow mouth calls for what its worth.

Larry

[apeterson]

cool.... Thank you!!!! I think I am going to try to make one!

[apeterson]

where do you get your MP3 for you player?

[Waterspaniel]

Great post!

Is the amp there to boost the sound? Could you just use the speaker for an MP3, or arent they load enough?

IPOD now makes a remote, you can get about 50 yards out of it!

[SDHandgunner]

I'd been picking up the MP3 Players off of E-Bay, but lately I keep getting out bid. Must be too many people building E-Callers or something, hahahaha.

As per the AMP, yes it is needed. Just plugging the Speaker into the MP3 Player does not get the sound half as loud as a mouth call.

Larry

[apeterson]

no I have the MP3 player but the files to put on them... are you pulling those off Cd's

[sierra03]

the sounds are from http://www.western-rivers.com

Free!

I have the ILO MP3, never use it. I will download the sounds on it and sell for reasonable price.

[snowsforlife]

Anyone know if the free snowgoose downloads work from there?.. which one is better snow geese 2 or just snow geese?

[SDHandgunner]

Here is the list of sounds I have on my current Rio 600 MP3 Player.

Coyote Greeting Howl (1) = Western Rivers
Coyote Group Howl = Western Rivers
LONE HOWL LOCATOR = Johnny Stewart
Coyote Challenge Dominant Male = Western Rivers
COYOTE PUP DISTRESS = Johnny Stewart
CANINE PUPPIES = Johnny Stewart
COYOTE GRAY FOX FIGHT = Johnny Stewart
Canine Distress = Western Rivers
Crow Distress = Western Rivers
Crow Frenzy = Western Rivers
Snow Geese = Western Rivers
SQUEALING WOODPECKER = Johnny Stewart
Baby Piglet = Western Rivers
Fawn Distress = Western Rivers
RODENT DISTRESS = Johnny Stewart
DISTRESSED HOUSECAT = Johnny Stewart
Cape Hare = Western Rivers
Jackrabbit Distress = Western Rivers
Cottontail Distress = Western Rivers

The Johnny Stewart Sounds are from Johnny Stewart Calling CD's. We downloaded the sounds onto Sound Editing Software on my buddies Computer, isolated ONE SOUND LOOP and then transferred them onto the MP3 Players. By isolating ONE SOUND LOOP we are getting the same sound by using the Repeat Track Feature on the MP3 Player without taking up so much drive space.

The Western Rivers sounds were downloaded from their web site and vary in length from a little over a minute to 3 minutes.

As per the Snow Geese Sound I downloaded, I don't remember if it is Snow Geese or Snow Geese #2. I'd have to go back and listen to them to be sure.

Larry

[Dog gon]

how much would you bild one for.

[SDHandgunner]

Really don't want to get into that.

I don't have the time to go all over to round up all the parts-n-pieces, since there is no Radio Shack in town here.

Actually these are quite easy to put together. A buddy put one together this afternoon (I watched and coached him) in about an hour.

Larry

[apeterson]

you can order all the parts online at on their website....

[adam]

if i used a 50 watt speaker instead of the one you suggested would that work?

[SDHandgunner]

I have actually experimented with several different speakers (one from Radio Shack was a 25 - 50 Watt MAX) and in my opinion the one I recommended produced the best sound. I am no electronic wizz by any stretch of the imagination, but from what I understand it has more to do with the frequency responce of the speaker than it does the wattage for the best sound consdiering the sounds we are playing for calling.

Yes other speakers work, but the sound quality might be different.

Larry

[James62]

you can get the speaker from allied electronics no min order for 14 dollars and some change

[James62]

o yea that is shipping and all

[James62]

http://www.alliedelec.com/

[Gonzo_locos]

Hey nice call. After you glue the volume in place. Will the remote conversion let you adjust the volume to go as low and high as you want it? If I understand right if you make it a remote conversion you have the mp3 player in your hand and that's what controls volume? or no?

[SDHandgunner]

Hey nice call. After you glue the volume in place. Will the remote conversion let you adjust the volume to go as low and high as you want it? If I understand right if you make it a remote conversion you have the mp3 player in your hand and that's what controls volume? or no?

Thanks

Yes I use the Volume Control on the MP3 Player to control the volume. I do not a remote on mine, but did put one together for a buddy. Yes the Volume Control on the MP3 Player controls the volume quite well.

Larry

[Gohon]

SD, what did you use for the transmitter and receiver for the remote setup? Were you able to get any respectable distance out of it?

[SDHandgunner]

The one I put together for a buddy I used an Azden WLX-PRO Wireless Mic system. This consists of a Transmitter and a Receiver. The Azdens has two channels so you are somewhat assured of one being clear and interferrence free.

This is a simple Plug-n-Play set up.

Unplug the Lavier Mic from the Transmitter and in its place plug in a 6' patch cord (1/8" plug on each end). Plug the other end of this patch cord to your sound source (MP3 Player, CD Player, Cassette Player etc). The reason for the 6' cord is this cord serves as the antenna.

On the Receiver run a patch cord from the INPUT Jack on the Amp to the Receiver, and the PA Speaker to the OUTPUT Jack on the Amp.

Make sure both the transmitter and receiver are turned on and on the same channel and your good to go and WIRELESS.

Some of the guys are housing the Receiver, Amp and Speaker in a Coffee Mug, Fishing Tackle Box etc. The MP3 Player and Transmitter can be in your pockets.

I only have experience with the Azden, and from what I can tell is one of the better ones on the market. With the Azden I put together we could almost get 200 yards out of it quite easily. Granted this was line of sight (no brush in the way) but is farther than I would want the speaker from me anyway. The way I look at it is this, the farther I have the speaker away from me the farther the shot at the Predator is going to be in theory.

Larry

PS the Azden WLX-PRO is a Wireless Mic System designed to be used with Video Camcorders, but happens to work quite well as a wireless set up for E-Callers too.

[Waterspaniel]

Will this same amp speaker set up work with a cd palyer?

[Gohon]

SDHandgunner, thanks for the information. Looks like you may have given me another project to play with.

Waterspaniel, the answer to your question is yes. Just that the MP3 players are a lot more compact and easier to load with sounds.

[SDHandgunner]

The other thing with MP3 Players is there are no moving parts so they seem to work better in the COLD. But then a digital voice recorder works quite well also and do not have any moving parts either.

Larry

[goose0613]

I finished one of these callers recently and it worked great! I have the parts on order now for 2 more for the sping CO. Looks like we have hit Allied Electronics pretty hard though -- they are currently out of stock on the speaker. Good job guys. I found an MP3 player using http://www.pricewatch.com I think I paid about $35 for a 256MB player.

[Grunter]

Let me know if you need the speaker that Larry suggested. The electronic store near me has 6 or 7 left on there shelf.

Larry you are the Man!!

I built one a couple days ago using your parts list and it works PREEEEMO!
Here is a pic of the one I whipped up;

http://home.hvc.rr.com/dvoutdoors/photo.htm

If any of you don't believe, Trust Me, Believe. This thing is the real deal.
Thanks again Larry!!

Dave

[goose0613]

Has anyone experimented with using up to four speakers? I am going to try running 4 speakers (4 amps) with one MP3 player. I was just wondering if the MP3 player will have enough power to send to each of the 4 amps? I suppose it would be better to shorten the patch cables where possible right? Let me know if anyone had tried this, and if you might have any tips for me. Thanks.

[SDHandgunner]

Geeze with all of you guys building callers kind of makes me wish I worked for an electronics company instead of being a public servant.

Thanks for all the kind words guys. I am in the process of building a different style caller (finally got all the parts together. This one has a bigger amp that is 12 VDC, and will be powered by a 12 VDC Sealed Lead Acid Battery. This one will hopefully be LOUDER for those windy days here in South Dakota.

Larry

[Gohon]

You can order the speakers here also.. http://radiooutfitters.com/ ..
Bought two from them just last month.

[Ty]

I picked up that radio shack speaker and must say it SUCKS!

Ill be ordering the Speco

[SDHandgunner]

I picked up that radio shack speaker and must say it SUCKS!

Ill be ordering the Speco

Yep, been there, done that.

[dannylilly]

i have a cd player and in the future will get the speco speaker. my question is how would i connect /speaker amp and cd player/ together? im not worried about the compact part of it. just need to know how to wire everything. also is there a wire to hook it up where i could adjust it close to me and still have the speaker out a little ways?