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Frequently Asked Questions
I’m participating in a fox hunt next weekend. What type of gun would you recommend for a beginner?
Best to hit your back button; we aren’t talking about that kind of Foxhunting.
Best to hit your back button; we aren’t talking about that kind of Foxhunting.
OK, so what kind of foxhunting ARE you talking about?
Foxhunting is also known as T-hunting, Bunny Hunting, Bozo Hunting, and more commonly, Amateur Radio Direction Finding. While the names vary greatly by geographic area, they all involve the tracking of a hidden transmitter, using some type of directional antenna, and/or specialized receiving apparatus.
Foxhunting is also known as T-hunting, Bunny Hunting, Bozo Hunting, and more commonly, Amateur Radio Direction Finding. While the names vary greatly by geographic area, they all involve the tracking of a hidden transmitter, using some type of directional antenna, and/or specialized receiving apparatus.
Wait a minute, did you say Amateur Radio? Forget it, I never could learn all those dots & dashes.
Whoa! Just hold on a minute pardner! First of all, no Amateur Radio License is required to participate in a foxhunt. It is receive only. Although, it is fun to be able to get on the air and compare notes with other hunters, it’s even more fun to be able to harass the fox a bit. Also, Morse code is no longer a requirement to earn a Amateur Radio license. More info can be found at www.hello-radio.org.
Whoa! Just hold on a minute pardner! First of all, no Amateur Radio License is required to participate in a foxhunt. It is receive only. Although, it is fun to be able to get on the air and compare notes with other hunters, it’s even more fun to be able to harass the fox a bit. Also, Morse code is no longer a requirement to earn a Amateur Radio license. More info can be found at www.hello-radio.org.
OK, so I want to give fox hunting a try. What do I need?
Well, Just show up. You’ll usually find someone who is more than willing to take along a rider, or two.
Well, Just show up. You’ll usually find someone who is more than willing to take along a rider, or two.
But, I don’t want to ride along, I want to jump right in, and start hunting
- OK, here’s my personal list of minimum equipment:
- Radio for the hunt frequency, preferably with a s-meter
- Some type of directional antenna. (Joe, WB2HOL has designed a 3-element beam for 2 Meters, which is very simple to build. You’ll find a link to his site on our links page.)
But what about the guy I saw yesterday with four antennas attached to the roof of his car? What was that?
OK, He was probably using a Doppler unit. A Doppler uses the signals from 4 antennas, to calculate the bearing of the received signal. More information can be found on Jacque, VE2EMM’s site, on our link page.
OK, He was probably using a Doppler unit. A Doppler uses the signals from 4 antennas, to calculate the bearing of the received signal. More information can be found on Jacque, VE2EMM’s site, on our link page.
So what will the fox’s signal sound like?
Well, some foxes use an automated controller, which transmits for set intervals, such as one minute on/one minute off. During their on time, they may identify in Morse Code. Other foxes may pick up the microphone, and read the latest issue of their club newsletter. Either way is OK, as long as the transmissions are identified.
Well, some foxes use an automated controller, which transmits for set intervals, such as one minute on/one minute off. During their on time, they may identify in Morse Code. Other foxes may pick up the microphone, and read the latest issue of their club newsletter. Either way is OK, as long as the transmissions are identified.
How much can I win?
While some hunts do have prizes, they are in the minority. In almost all cases, you’ll win nothing more than bragging rights, and perhaps the honor (?) of being the fox for the next hunt.
While some hunts do have prizes, they are in the minority. In almost all cases, you’ll win nothing more than bragging rights, and perhaps the honor (?) of being the fox for the next hunt.
