
Youthnet NEWS 011 11/3/94
Alexis Leynes N9KYJ
Jennie Finch N9SAK

Topic:   Fox hunting
     
     There are many aspects of amateur radio that many hams don't
understand very well. In this edition we will cover fox hunting.
If you do not know what fox hunting is, it is considered an
exercise of locating a hidden transmitter by usage of
triangulation. In simpler terms Fox hunting doesn't involve a
real fox. Fox hunting is about hiding a transmitter and then have
a group of other hams to look for the transmitter. Usually the
group who looks for the transmitter generally are called the
hunter(s). These groups of one or two in a team (maybe more or
less in some areas), may use very complex directional finding
equipment or even very simple equipment.
     You may be wondering why hams go on fox hunts. Fox hunting
is an exercise like Field day. The main purpose of it is to train
ham operators or how to locate a transmitter of any type
efficiently. Sometimes, hams help the local authorities search
for downed aircraft, lost boats, or even lost campers. Fox
hunters also search for possible sources of interference on a
repeater, beacon, or on frequency. Fox hunters are an important
aspect to amateur radio.
     There are many ways to track down a transmitter. Equipment
can be just a simple HT and a beam antenna or a doppler
directional system (It is an automatic pointer, which shows the
hunter the general direction of the fox). The hunters usually
begin at a starting point a few miles away from the actual
transmitter. The fox then transmits for one minute and then turns
the transmitter off for 5 to 10 minutes and transmits again for
one minute. Rules vary to from group to group. Some fox hunting
groups requires the fox to transmit for 2 minutes every 30
minutes, but they have the option to have anyone to ask the fox
to retransmit (with a penalty of a point deduction, whenever a
group asks). Again rules vary from group to group.
     Now that I explained the basics of fox hunting, I'm going to
focus on the fox. A few months ago, I had the pleasure of being
the fox with another fellow ham, Mike WA9FTS. It was their
monthly 146.45 hunt. Being the fox may be fun. You get to hide
almost anywhere. You can make the transmitter small or large. To
hide a transmitter in a small location, one can use a dual band
HT which can automatically retransmit a signal heard on another
frequency. On this hunt, Mike and I used a mobile Kenwood radio,
with a motorcycle battery, and a J-pole, hid in a field with
weeds all around us, a creek that was near, and a fence which
almost incased us. To top it off, we hid ourselves underneath
some military camouflage, which helped us blend into the
environment. Our setup was so good, that one of the fox hunters
just passed by only 10 feet away. This hunt lasted for an hour
and a half. It was a great location, and I think almost everyone
had a wet shoe or two when they went over the creek.
      There are a few important considerations to be a fox. One,
accessibility; it is not a good idea to hide on private property,
or to hide in a place which is impossible to get to. Two,
dangerous surroundings; it is not a good idea to hide in or near
a place which may bring danger to you, the hunters, or the people
who are nearby. Three, when you transmit, always address one of
the hunters by calling their callsign. Failure to do so would be
considered broadcasting. Four, notification. Notify the local
authorities on what you and your group are going to do. This will
tell them what is going on, if in case someone calls them up,
saying that someone weird is walking up and down their street
with a funny antenna (believe me, it happens). Five, if this
going to be a driving fox hunt, make sure that there is a place
for the hunters to park their cars legally. Fox hunting may be
fun if it is done right, and safely.
     Now that you know some of the basic rules and guidelines of
the hunt, I'll tell you what it is like being the hunter. Last
Saturday night, Mike and I went out to a fox hunt here in the
Chicagoland area, and we ended up second. We used what Mike
called a "L-PER" (It was like a beam antenna that is specialized
in a way that it would point the hunter in the right direction).
Aside from a good tracking system, you may need a few more
things. Here are a few things that I would recommend to bring on
a hunt. Flashlights, over here, the hunts starts after sundown
and it gets very dark. Maps, preferably a laminated covered one
that you can use a marker on and use over and over again. A ruler
to plot a line from your location.  Insect repellant lotion (self
explanatory). Long clothing, in case the fox hides in a weeded
field. A first aid kit, in case you or someone else cuts
themselves in the weeded field. And the most important factor,
luck, fox hunts are not always perfect.  For instance, there was
another group who arrived 30 seconds before us, and lucky for us,
their door was stuck shut, giving us a few minutes to grab second
place. 
     Everyone has their own methods in looking for the fox. Some
hunters stop the car, and look for the position; while others
search, triangulate, navigate and drive at the same time. One
more thing, when you are on a hunt, time flies very quickly, and
hours pass without notice.  
     It is hard to describe the feeling you get on a hunt. My
suggestion is to find a local group and ride along with them.
Over here in Chicago, the group I am with has a fox hunt almost
every Saturday. So ask around and tell us at Youthnet NEWS about
your fox hunting experience.
     For more information on fox hunting, go to your local
library and read Transmitter Hunting: Radio Directional Finding
Simplified, by Joseph D. Moell, K0OV, and Thomas N. Curlee, or
Homing in by 73 Amateur Radio Today written also by Joseph D.
Moell.
     Special thanks go to Mike, WA9FTS, Art, WB9JIT, Mike,
KB9ISW, and Nila, KB9ITR.

73's DE Alex & Jennie
E-mail:   aln9kyj@mcs.com
Packet:   N9KYJ@W9ZMR.IL.USA.NOAM
          N9SAK@WB2WXQ.#WNY.NY.USA.NA

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