Bat Detector Building Workshop

The Somerset Bat Group is offering the chance to build your own LOW cost, and HIGHLY capable bat detector, from the Pipistrelle family of devices (https://www.pippyg.com/). The total cost (including booking fees) will be between £15 and £25, depending on the device chosen.

The Bat Group will supply all the components, materials, tools and equipment needed to build the detectors. No experience of soldering (or anything else) is needed. A leader from the bat group will start with a briefing about the different detectors, and then walk you through step by step the instructions to safely build and test them.

For more details of the workshop please see the Bat Group website: https://somersetbat.group/advice/which-bat-detector/build-detector/

To build your recorder you will need to bring along:

• A steady pair of hands! Some of the components are only mm long. The leader will demonstrate methods to help with accurate placement.
• Good close to eyesight. If you use reading glasses, perhaps bring along an extra pair a bit stronger than usual.

A head torch and magnifying glass may also be useful if you have them, but the leader will have some to borrow.

You are welcome to bring along one other person to watch, or help with the build (minimum age is 12, under 18's must be accompanied by parent or guardian).

The cost for the booking (admin and venue hire) is £5, this goes to SWT. Please pay this when you book.

Then on the day of the workshop please bring along cash to pay the Bat Group for the cost of materials and connectors for your detector. Depending on which type of detector you build, and mobile device you have, this cost will be between £10 and £20.

You will have the option to build one of three different detectors:

For recent mobile phone/tablet users: Griff 384kHz USB mic.
This microphone is worn as a credit card sized badge, and connected via a cable, to allow you see, hear and record bats via your mobile device. There are two versions:

• Mini Griff – Small square mic, no back cover, hence cheap! Materials cost = £8
• Griff 384kHz USB microphone – Bat shaped, with back cover to reduce noise. Materials cost = £11

Minimum recommended device specification is: Apple - iOS v18 and later, or Android 11 and later

Handheld detector - mini PiPistrelle
A auto-tuning Heterodyne and Time Expansion detector running off 3 AAA batteries. The auto-tuned frequency is announced via a synthetic voice, and LEDs provide frequency range information. Worth building if your phone/tablet is older. Sound via a simple 3.5mm jack for connection to your own wired headphones or speaker.

It can also be used without batteries as an ultrasound mic with a mobile device (i.e. exactly like a Griff). Materials cost = £16

• mini PiPistrelle quick start guide

For all devices you will also need a special cable to connect your new detector to your phone and tablet:

• For everyone: a microUSB to USBc OTG cable. Extra cost = £2
• For Apple devices with Lightning connector - an additional Lightning to USBc adaptor. Additional cost = £2

Before the workshop you may like to:

· Download the relevant recorder app to your mobile device:

o iOS (v18+) Produces auto tuned Heterodyne and Time Expanded sounds.

§ Search “Bat Detector” in Apple app. store.

§ Click here for details of how to use the USB microphone on iOS.

o Android (v11+) Currently has two manually tuned Heterodyne frequencies.

§ Search “Batgizmo” in Google Play store

§ Click here for Batgizmo user manual

· Review the presentation used at the workshop.

If you have any questions please contact the Bat Group directly - [email protected]

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Host or Publisher Somerset Wildlife Trust