All posts by Jon (KI6RT)

Running A Fox Hunt

Being the Fox Tender is almost as much fun as finding the Fox!

As the club’s RDF abilities improve the creativity in where the Fox  is hidden will likely become equally creative! If you have ideas on challenging the Fox Hunters then SIGN UP!

The Process

  1. Complete the sign-up form
  2. Once confirmed on the calendar arrange to pick up the Foxes from Doug (W2VX)
  3. Select an area to hide the Fox and do some basic testing (to understand coverage area)
  4. Promote the Fox Hunt (Coffee Break Net, Club Calendar, Club announcements i.e. Watts Up)
  5. Run the Fox Hunt and record results and take pictures if you are able
  6. After the hunt return the Foxes to Doug (W2VX)
  7. Write an article for the Club Newsletter!

Available Foxes

The club (Doug – W2VX) maintains several Foxes for Fox Tenders to use. The foxes are pre-programmed and ready to go with the exception of potentially needing new batteries. The available foxes include:

Doug (W2VX) has constructed a high power fox placed in an ammo can. Given the high power output (1-5 watts) this Fox would is most appropriate for longer distance Fox Hunts.

Jon (KI6RT)’s Byonics MicroFox 15 is typically available for club fox hunts (depending on what KI6RT is testing). Others in the club also own this model micro fox.

Foxes from Byonics typically output 15 milliWatts and are useful in parks or smaller areas.

SFARC owns two Byonics MicroFox 15S transmitters.

More questions? Please contact Jon (KI6RT) or Doug (W2VX).

Fox Hunting Equipment

The popular RDF (radio direction finder) techniques used by SFARC include:

  • A version of the Handi-Finder created by Doug (W2VX) and Greydon (KC6SLE). This device switches between two dipole antennas effectively measuring the TOA (time of arrival) that appears as a tone on the HT (handi-talkie). As illustrated on the right the tone will be null (i.e. minimum volume) when the antennas are equidistance from the hidden transmitter thereby providing a vector to/from the hidden transmitter. Once several bearings or vectors have been established and plotted on a map the location of the Fox can be estimated. Mike (K6YMM) presentation on the technique can be found here.
  • Growing in popularity is the Tape Measure Yagi with a variable attenuator (step attenuator or an offset attenuator). The directional nature of a Yagi enables hunters to point straight at the hidden transmitter. As the the Fox Hunter approaches the Fox, attenuation is required (otherwise the HT will be overloaded and the S-meter will not show a peak).
  • The club continues to explore other RDF technologies. Most recently testing the KrakenSDR which uses five coherent receivers feeding data into a RaspberryPI running the MUSIC (MUtiple SIgnal Classification) algorithm. MUSIC is able to estimate DOA (direction of arrival) and together with a android phone displays a heat map and a vector straight to the hidden transmitter!

Fox Hunt (Page)

Fox Hunt Promo PhotoSFARC runs monthly Fox Hunts where members hone skills locating hidden transmitters. Fox Hunting skills are not only fun but may be useful in situations where a transmitter needs to be located (e.g. search & rescue or tracking down interference).

Fox Hunts are a fun outdoor activity. Regional hunts may may involve driving around and taking bearings with a Yagi to triangulate on a hidden transmitter. Low power hunts may involve walking through parks  & neighborhoods to find one or more hidden transmitters. Fox hunt equipment ranges from simple TOA (time of arrival) devices, yagi antennas, and or doppler techniques.

Do not have the equipment? SFARC has equipment for anyone to borrow.
Do not have a license? A Ham license is not required to participate.

For more information contact Fox Hunt coordinators: Jon (KI6RT), Greydon (KC6SLE) or Doug (W2VX).

Upcoming Fox Hunts:

DATELOCATIONFOX TENDER
Nov 25, 2023Regional ParkBrian AI6US
Jon - KI6RT
Doug - W2VX
Dec 30, 2023Greater AuburnBrian Gohl - AI6US
Jan 30, 2023TBDTBD

Additional Resources

1.  Fox Hunting equipment
2.  How to run a Fox Hunt (i.e. be the Fox Tender)

Ready to sign up to be a “fox tender”, send us a message below.