Drones For Scouting

at a recent trappers convention there was talk about using a drone for scouting. Sounds like a great idea, boots on the ground are still required but it may shorten some time. Eyeballing up some rough country before entering.

I'm thinking about getting one to look for the lost dutchman mine.

 

I'm talking before but if the power is available after may be handy too.

 

For scouting a trapline it should be pretty good. I'm not sure it will work any better for topography than a satellite map, but if you trap water (especially beaver and muskrat) than I can see a great advantage to a drone.

I wouldn't recommend using one post TEOTWAWKI as they can be tracked by knowledgeable individuals and could give away your location.

Dale

 

For seven decades we have used the PA-18-150 you simply shut off the engine and silently utilize the incredible glide ratio for scouting.

 

Post-SHTF the last thing that you will see from a drone is someone with a gun about to blow it out of the sky. Pre-SHTF the possibilities for its use are nearly endless.

 

Just remember on the operational limit of your drone and the noise it create. Even with after market silent rotor they are too noisy for scouting task.

 

Until a drone gets shot down, it could provide real-time intel on the status of your perimeter. Fly your drone too far or too low and it is certain to catch a load of shot out of a shotgun. People now recognize buzzing sound of a drone.

Maybe one could fly the drone straight up, take video, then immediately bring it back. Review the video after the drone is back safe.

 

Good morning all,

In my view, a drone is really just a better binoculars.

Drone environments are about the same as those environments using binoculars.

During natural events, eg a walking/hiking evacuation, drones allow for much more of a picture of the area than binoculars. During hostilities, a similar comparison is present. A drone can be shot down. Plus, a glance of light (even during hours of darkness) on a binocular lens, allows for targeting. Artillery recon folks had (have?) periscope type binoculars to prevent (in theory) getting shot. The periscope binoculars, even without the stand or tripod, are heavy.

 

Drone give you "overhead" which is something that bino or telescoping bino couldn't give, not to mention the range of commercial drone has become quite good these days.

Although drone is vulnerable to birdshot it can be flown at night where it is to small of a target not to mention near invisible, albeit still noisy nonetheless.

 

Good morning Varuna,

If a drone can be shot down over Syria at night, why cannot a drone be shot down over Virginia or Suriname or Christmas Island at night ?

Shotguns would be recognized by Napoleon's Field Marshalls. Newer tools available and all over here.

 

in the meantime I can be looking for the lost dutchman mine from y easy chair.

 

Post SHTF sure the drone will tell someone you are in the area, but that person taking a shot at it will also give up their location.

 

Context... context... context... If you ever fought a party that could see & shoot a dark flying drone at night then you would also need ground recon unit because most likely your dealing against organized bunch rather than some run-of-the-mill guys with guns.

Anyway flying the drone higher flying dark at night (at least 1000' AGL) will mostly do the trick (unless the OPFOR bring in EW support)

 

my context is for pre-scouting for trapping territory and maybe the Dutchman mine but I am a good distance from the Superstition mountains . Maybe Swifts silver in the Unakas, that can be some rough hiking, sometimes it feels like it's straight up.

This got me to wondering in a shtf situation instead of flying the drone around and about, how about landing it on a high point and using it for observation. A good and decent distance from home. I don't know a bunch about drones. Such as how long it lass on and charge and whatnot.

 

I can't agree more but manpower considerations will most likely be a consideration. It may be difficult to spare someone five miles out or so. I have no idea how far they can transmit especially the cheaper models.

 

One reason I wondered about a parked drone, not perfect but could put some distance from home. Whereas parking a man that far out may not be feasible. How far can average prepper joe travel in 10 minutes? I'm not 25 year old anymore, the days of running 10 mile and not being winded are over.

 

When I say 10 minutes, that's not only just by foot. ATV, Side by side, ORV, Boat or whatever. I have a Can-Am Commander that will be used for reconnaissance and as a FAV (Fast Attack Vehicle). We have run drills (the wife called it playing, LOL!) with the Commander and I have been impressed with the ability to move quickly while laying down suppressive fire from the vehicle.

Sorry for getting side tracked. What I was getting at is just adapt what you have available to benefit your scenario.

Dale

 

typical consumer grade drone have flight range around 3.5 nm (nautical mile). Flight time however will be vary depending on weather condition, but expect 10 - 15 minutes of flight time for scouting task.

Parking your drone will drain the battery. If you need longer range / more flight range a consumer grade fixed wing drone can do the job as well (longer flight time)

 

There is a place for everything. The military carry small drones into battle. That doesn't mean that LP/OP's are abandoned. Be flexible and don't tie yourself into one technology or plan. Be aware of the limits and benefits of each tool.

 

Good morning Varuna,

You clearly addressed the matter: "EW support".

EW, plus the cousins, such as the several counter-measures, are what works.

This area of the nation is loaded with people knowledgeable and capable of building these electronic tools.

Although much is now illegal for private citizen use, lasers could get involved in this.

Now add those private citizens who purchase large searchlights sized for ocean-going vessels.

In the above non-ballistic environment, what can a small drone accomplish ?


Prep,prep,prep
and
factor in safety

 

Good morning Randy,

You've addressed a major point in "prepping"; the size of the Prepper unit, eg an individual, a family of 2, a family of 5, a small group of neighbors,...

Much involves "trade-offs". In my environment and pending emergency situations, I'd rather have a neighbor EMT and boat navigator than a larger secured perimeter. Others, of course, have different environments and pending circumstances to consider.

I would guess a "high point" in pre-designated strategic areas would already be occupied by COG Responders of some type.

 

for sure, I have ATVs as well. A Yamaha rhino and a Yamaha Kodiak but after a shtf I don't intend to use them. I'm going to save the fuel for other things. However a team member in crisis would be one of those times. In my area once off the roads and trails a ATV is not going to get far, it's called puckerbrush for a reason.

 

Good morning Lonewolf,

Just read above.

Understand.

Yes, will refocus to subject.

 

Here is few example :

 

The drone is DJI Matrice 200 (industrial drone)



And the optical package is Zenmuse XT2



To avoid being shot down by anyone, the best approach is either to fly high enough or keep flying low, fast & dark at night without ever hovering at any spot (waypoint following)

I don't have familiarization with the this Matrice 200 model, however we have been renting DJI F550 (older DJI industrial drone) for our need more than an occasion, and it work well even in dense mountainous jungle environment as long the operator knew the operational limit.