Homing with the Serial Bridge

Two tools, one loop: the beacon’s own SEARCH mode finds the direction of a signal, and the serial bridge records where you were when you heard it. Together they turn a “somewhere out there” into a search pattern.

The setup

1. Plug the searching beacon into the logging machine and start the bridge (see Position Logging Workflow).
2. Put the beacon in SEARCH mode: MODE SEARCH over serial, or the MODE button.
3. Open the Report Position Page on the same machine so every fix streams in live.

The loop

Step	Action	Data captured
1	Walk a leg, note where RSSI peaks	Fix at the peak
2	Turn 90 degrees, walk another leg	Second fix
3	The crossing of the two bearings is the target	Track line

Each leg’s peak position is recorded automatically in the position log, so you can walk the search without stopping to write.

Reading the audio

SEARCH mode emits a variable-pitch beep tied to RSSI: higher pitch means closer or better line of sight. Between fixes, the audio is your real-time instrument; the logged positions are your memory.

Repeater and terrain effects

Reflections in gullies can make the peak lie. Take bearings from at least two positions and trust the crossing only when both legs are consistent. See Mountain Effects on Radio and Signal Triangulation.

After the find

The log gives you the approach path and the final coordinates. Export it (see Bridge Automation) and fold it into the Mission Debrief.

Related

• Homing Technique
• Signal Triangulation
• Morse Listening Workflow