Foxhunting 2023

[Patrick Schlott]

Hi all,

As the weather warms, the ground thaws, and the maple sap gets flowing, spring appears to be just around the corner! As such, CVARC is going to start hosting monthly foxhunts once again! 

If you're confused as to why I'm talking about hunting animals, not to worry - we do nothing of the sort. Foxhunting is the short name for amateur radio direction finding. Essentially, it's the art (or sport) of finding a hidden radio transmitter. Ham radio operators practice this for fun, but it can translate into real-world skills and practices such as locating stolen or lost radio equipment, downed aircraft, or lost hikers. 

In recent history, CVARC started this tradition in 2020 during the height of the pandemic to provide a fun, outdoor, no-contact activity while most were tired of being cooped up indoors. Counter to most 'traditional' group foxhunts, the fox isn't a person with a radio - Rather, it's an automatically-controlled VHF transmitter in a weatherproof metal ammo can, called a 'foxbox' (pic below). This way, the fox can operate for as long as it has battery power, allowing the hunts to continue an entire day or even over the weekend. 

The box was hidden near 7 Fireplaces at Hubbard Park in Montpelier. The RF output was only 150mW, but was heard over 2 miles away!

There are many different techniques used to locate the source of a radio signal. There's no right or wrong way to do it, but these pages have some links that may give you an idea of where to get started: 

https://w1bd.net/2020/07/28/foxhunting-information/

The tentative date for the first hunt of 2023 is Saturday, April 22nd, starting at 10am. Please check the foxhunt page of our website (https://w1bd.net/foxhunt/) or this thread if you have any questions or are looking for updates. 

Happy hunting!

73,

Patrick Schlott

KC1DPM

[Patrick Schlott]

Hi all,

Just a reminder that our first foxhunt of 2023 is less than a week away! We have locked in this Saturday, April 22nd at 10am. The fox will transmit on 146.565 MHz FM, and will be somewhere in Orange County, VT in a publicly-accessible location.

Good luck to all, and happy hunting!

-Patrick

KC1DPM

[Dillon W.]

Excited to participate this weekend, hopefully the weather clears up before then!

[Patrick Schlott]

Hi all,

Friendly reminder that the foxhunt is tomorrow! The fox will be on the air by 10am.

Good luck!

Patrick Schlott

KC1DPM

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[Central Vermont Amateur Radio Club]

Happy Friday all,

Just a reminder that our May foxhunt will be tomorrow, 5/27 starting at 10am in Washington county. Good luck!

73,

-Patrick, KC1DPM

[Alan Zaur]

I am in NYC so I won’t be able to join you tomorrow but I look forward to the fox hunting tutorial at the next club meeting. 

Alan

Sent from my iPhone

On May 26, 2023, at 6:06 PM, Central Vermont Amateur Radio Club <w1...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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