Radio Direction Finding and hidden transmitter search
Join us for an exciting Ham Radio Fox Hunt ! We run a hunt every month on the second Saturday. We kick off the day at Meadows Family Restaurant in Franksville, where we’ll gather for breakfast at 8:00 AM, followed by a brief meeting.
Continue reading “Ham Radio Fox Hunts 2024”We extend our gratitude to all those who took part in the thrilling Fox Hunt of June 2023! The experience of hiding and seeking two transmitters on different frequencies was truly remarkable. It was no easy feat, but our determined and skilled participants embraced the challenge wholeheartedly.
“Team OIL,” consisting of Dan and Dwayne, set up a clever VHF transmitter, while Matt – AF9Q – placed another on UHF. Both transmitters proved to be elusive, but our resourceful hunters rose to the occasion and successfully located them.
Let’s give a round of applause to Gene, Bonnie, Mary, and Al from “Team Haney” for their exceptional performance. They were the first to discover the VHF transmitter, utilizing Gene’s remarkable Doppler system. Their precision and ingenuity were truly impressive.
But that’s not all! Matthew and Stephanie from “Green Eggs and HAM” went above and beyond, locating both transmitters using their powerful KrakenSDR equipment. Their dedication and expertise paid off handsomely.
Regrettably, Team Beer Battered Boys encountered an unexpected equipment failure and had to abandon the hunt. We hope to see them back in action next time with their gear fully operational.
Here are the results:
1st place – Team “Green Eggs and HAM” for successfully finding both the UHF and VHF transmitters using KrakenSDR.
2nd place – “Team Haney.” Gene, Bonnie, Mary, and Al swiftly located the VHF transmitter.
3rd place – Team “Beer Battered Boys.” These intrepid engineers, who constantly innovate with new direction-finding “weapons” and tactics, showcased their determination.
Following the exhilarating hunt, we gathered at Jose’s Blue Sombrero to celebrate our achievements. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as we exchanged stories, enjoyed one another’s company, and indulged in delicious food and beer. It was the perfect ending to an extraordinary event.
Once again, a massive thank you to all the participants for creating an unforgettable and successful Fox Hunt. Your enthusiasm and camaraderie truly make these events special. We eagerly await our next adventure with all of you!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the April 2023 Fox Hunt!
This time, Dan – KA9OIL and Matt – AF9Q hid just one VHF transmitter.
Matthew with his wife Stephanie hunted for the transmitter using 3 element arrow antenna with an offset attenuator and a HT. The “Green Eggs and HAM” team found the transmitter withing an hour.
After the hunt, we enjoyed lunch at the Castlewood Restaurant in Sturtevant. Thank you all for participating!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the April 2023 Fox Hunt!
This time, we hid two transmitters on separate frequencies. Gene’s “Team Haney” set up one transmitter, while Matt – AF9Q set up another. Both transmitters proved to be difficult to find, and it took the entire allotted time to complete the hunt.
In the end, the “Team OIL” with Dan – KA9OIL and Dwayne – N9PYA, were able to find the 2m transmitter. The “Team Sailors” with Bill – KD1Z and Jeff – KD9VB came very close but ran out of time.
After the hunt, we enjoyed great company, beer, and wings at Doobie’s Beer Joint. Thank you all for participating!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the March 2023 Fox Hunt!
This time, we hid two transmitters on separate frequencies. Bill – KD1Z and Jeff – KD9VBC set up one transmitter, while Matt – AF9Q set up another. Both transmitters proved to be difficult to find, and it took the entire allotted time to complete the hunt.
In the end, the “Team Haney” team with Gene – WB9ZKY, Bonnie – WB9ZKX, and Al – N9ZWJ were able to find both transmitters. The “Beer Battered Boys” team with Fred – K9SO and Jeff – KC9JOB came very close but ran out of time.
After the hunt, we enjoyed great company, beer, and wings at Doobie’s Beer Joint. Thank you all for participating!
73, AF9Q
UPDATE!
The team of Gene (WB9ZKY) and Bonnie (WB9ZKX) found both hidden transmitters this month and were the winners in the equipped class based on time using a sophisticated doppler system.
The team of Bill (KD1Z) and Jeff (KD9VBC) also found both hidden transmitters and using only a 3 element tape measure yagi did so in under an hour. They were the winners in the SOP class based on time.
The overall winning team was determined by overall mileage driven and that award went to Bill and Jeff. “Team Sailors” as they call themselves drove almost directly to both foxes accumulating a total mileage of under 9 miles!
These hunts are hosted nearly every month thanks to Matt, AF9Q, (see schedule). Join in the fun of DF’ing!
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ORIGINAL POST:
This month we’ll have TWO HIDDEN TRANSMITTERS (“foxes”) to find. One will be high power (~25w) and the other will be on low power (~5w). Finding two hidden transmitters will present more of a challenge to experienced hunters and yet finding only one will still be fun for the “newbies”.
The high power transmitter can be heard from the starting point with a typical mobile antenna. The low power fox MIGHT be heard from the starting point, but it will definitely be heard from the high power transmitter location. There is no prescribed order to find them, but you might want to search for the high power fox first. But then, the low power fox might be closer to the Meadows. Who knows? You might have to double back and add mileage if you go to fox #1 first. That’s part of the challenge. The low power transmitter will intentionally be harder to find.
Winners will be determined by the number of transmitters found in the two hour hunt window (this hunt will have only two foxes). Ties will be broken by miles driven in your car. Note that the first to find the foxes may not necessarily be the winner. Ties will be broken by mileage. Teams finding both foxes with the lowest travelled mileage will win. Teams finding only one fox will place behind teams finding both and ties will again be broken by miles travelled. The foxes will automatically shut down at exactly 12:00 noon (the DNF time).
The starting point for this hunt will be at the MEADOWS restaurant in Franksville, Wi. Registration begins at the 8:00 am breakfast and will close at 9:30 am. The hunt begins at 10:00 and make sure the organizers have taken your odometer reading in the parking lot.
All teams should bring a radio capable of reaching the 2 meter LRA repeater on 147.27MHz (handhelds will work in the search area unless you get really lost). Starting 1/2 hour before DNF, location hints will be given on the repeater frequency by the event organizers. Please also bring a cell phone and give the number to the organizers.
For this hunt, both foxes will be in automobiles parked somewhere in Kenosha or Racine counties. No need to slosh through the mud of snow. If unmanned, there will be a code number in view that will be used as evidence that you found it.
The first Fox box will ID as #1 and it will be running 25 watts. It will transmit a single tone as a box identifier (a single “DAH”) followed by a KR9RK CW ID and then “CAN U FIND ME?” . Set your watches carefully as the GPS time sync’d fox boxes will begin transmitting EXACTLY at 10:00:00 am for 15 seconds.
The low power Fox Box will ID as #3 and it will be running 5 watts. It will transmit an identifying three tones (DAH DAH DAH) followed by a KR9RK CW ID. It will be on the same frequency and will begin transmitting EXACTLY at 10:00:30 for 15 seconds.
This cycle will repeat every minute: EXACTLY on the top of each minute Fox Box #1 will transmit for 15 seconds. 15 seconds of dead air will follow. Then Fox Box #3 will begin 30 seconds after the top of the minute and will continue for 15 seconds. Another dead air period of 15 seconds will take us to the top of the next minute when the cycle will repeat.
It is important to note that both Fox Boxes will be ON THE SAME FREQUENCY but will transmit at different times exactly per the above schedule. The frequency to be used (somewhere on the 2 meter band) will be announced only to the participants before the hunt begins.
Welcome to January 2023 fox hunt.
This is going to be an easy, drive up style, hunt with just one hidden transmitter.
We meet for breakfast at The Meadows Family Restaurant at 8am on Saturday morning January 14th and start the hunt at 10am by checking in to the net on LRA 2m repeater 147.270 + .6 PL 127.3.
If anyone has to cut out before 12pm, please let the Fox know. This way we will know how many people are participating.
The Fox may be also providing hints so please keep a radio tuned to this net at all times.
The hunt area is pretty large so there may be a decent amount of driving involved. Fox will be hidden with the transmitter, somewhere between Lake Michigan in the East, US highway 45 in the West, and between 7 mile Rd. in the North and State highway 50 in the South.
The transmitter will start transmitting at 10am for 15 seconds and repeat the sequence every 45 seconds until 12:00pm on 147.520MHz.
Winner is determined by the time of arrival. Member of the hunt team needs to come up and touch the Fox’s car. After the fox hunt we’ll go to some local establishment where we will celebrate and share our experiences and critique.
