Strike Sensor for ice fishing

[pacojohnson]

Hello, I'm trying to re-create a product called a strike sensor for ice fishing. The new models can't be found anywhere, and the old models are very unreliable. Here is the product page:

http://www.strikesensor.com/ice-fishing.iml

And a youtube video showing how they work and are set up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npaXVRh6NkY

So, basically, the system comes in 2 parts, a tip up sensor that has an indicator light and possibly uses a reed switch to tell when the flag is tripped, and a pager unit that alerts you when you have a tip up. I'm a pretty handy guy, but I'm new to electronics. I was hoping some people here could help identify some good components to use, a good communications protocol, etc. This is not a request to build, just some help starting out. I intend to make a build log available upon completion of the device so all can use. Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

[pacojohnson]

any interest in this?

[k-ww]

Since you are looking for range, I would start with these:

http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20She ... Q,RRFQ.pdf

They claim up to 250 Meters [800 feet] between transmitter & receiver.

I would add a micro, [display to show which strike sensor], etc