General FoxHunt example sketch fixups. Added code comments to aid understanding. Added a number of serial prints so you can see what it's doing. Moved the long wait inside the if->transmit block so we don't wait a long time if the channel was busy.

examples/FoxHunt/FoxHunt.ino

@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
 /* Hamshield
  * Example: Fox Hunt
- * Plays a one minute tone at 10-13 minute intervals. Script 
+ * 
- * will check to see if the channel is clear before it will 
+ * Plays a one minute tone, then IDs at 10-13 minute intervals. Script 
- * transmit.
+ * will check to see if the channel is clear before it will transmit.
+ * 
  * Connect the HamShield to your Arduino. Screw the antenna 
  * into the HamShield RF jack. Connect the Arduino to wall 
- * power and then to your computer via USB. To test, set a 
+ * power and then to your computer via USB. After uploading
- * HandyTalkie to 438MHz. You should hear a one-minute tone 
+ * this program to your Arduino, open the Serial Monitor to
- * followed by a callsign every 10-13 minutes.
+ * monitor the status of the beacon. To test, set a HandyTalkie 
+ * to 438MHz. You should hear a one-minute tone followed by
+ * a callsign every 10-13 minutes.
 */
 
 #include <HamShield.h>
@@ -36,24 +39,64 @@ void setup() {
   pinMode(RESET_PIN, OUTPUT);
   digitalWrite(RESET_PIN, HIGH);
 
+  // Set up the serial port at 9600 Baud
+  Serial.begin(9600);
+
+  // Send a quick serial string
+  Serial.println("HamShield FoxHunt Example Sketch");
+
+  // Query the HamShield for status information
+  Serial.print("Radio status: ");
+  int result = radio.testConnection();
+  Serial.println(result, DEC);
+
+  // Tell the HamShield to start up
   radio.initialize();
+
+  // Set the transmit power level (0-8)
   radio.setRfPower(0);
+
+  // Set the morse code characteristics
+  radio.setMorseFreq(600);
+  radio.setMorseDotMillis(100);
+
+  // Configure the HamShield to operate on 438.000Mhz
   radio.frequency(438000);
-  radio.setModeReceive();
+
+  Serial.println("Radio configured.");
 }
 
 void loop() {
-  if(radio.waitForChannel(30000,2000, -90)) {             // wait for a clear channel, abort after 30 seconds, wait 2 seconds of dead air for breakers
+  // We'll wait up to 30 seconds for a clear channel, requiring that the channel is clear for 2 seconds before we transmit
-    radio.setModeTransmit();                         // turn on transmit mode
+  if (radio.waitForChannel(30000,2000, -90)) {
-    tone(PWM_PIN, 1000, TRANSMITLENGTH);        // play a long solid tone
+    // If we get here, the channel is clear. Let's print the RSSI to the serial port as well.
+    Serial.print("Signal is clear, RSSI: ");
+    Serial.println(radio.readRSSI());
+
+    // Set the HamShield to TX
+    Serial.print("Transmitting...");
+    radio.setModeTransmit();
+
+    // Generate a 600Hz tone for TRANSMITLENGTH time
+    tone(PWM_PIN, 600, TRANSMITLENGTH);
     delay(TRANSMITLENGTH);
-    radio.morseOut(" 1ZZ9ZZ/B FOXHUNT");              // identify the fox hunt transmitter
+
-    radio.setModeReceive();                          // turn off the transmit mode
+    // Identify the transmitter
+    radio.morseOut(" CALLSIGN FOXHUNT");
+
+    // Set the HamShield back to RX
+    radio.setModeReceive();
+    Serial.println("Done.");
+
+    // Wait for INTERLVAL + some random minutes before transmitting again
+    waitMinute(INTERVAL + random(0,RANDOMCHANCE));
   }
-  waitMinute(INTERVAL + random(0,RANDOMCHANCE));     // wait before transmitting, randomly
 }
 
 // a function so we can wait by minutes
 void waitMinute(unsigned long period) {
+  Serial.print("Waiting for ");
+  Serial.print(period, DEC);
+  Serial.println(" minutes.");
   delay(period * 60 * 1000);
 }