The Big Bend Amateur Radio Club hosted its first Fox Hunt on Saturday, October 19. Everyone had a Great Time and enjoyed the Thrill of the Hunt!
The BBARC plans to host future Fox Hunts. Check our FB page for scheduled upcoming events.
Fox Hunt Info
Amateur radio direction finding is an amateur radio operator (Ham) sport that combines radio direction finding with map and compass skills of orienteering. A YAGI Directional antenna and a 2 Meter hand held radio and map is used to locate a hidden, but transmitting “Fox”. Hams and even non-Ham licensed parties can participate.
A limited number of handheld radios and YAGI antennas are available from the BBARC to use for the event.
There will be two FOXes, at separate frequencies (146.000-146.999 MHz range – exact frequencies will be provided at registration). One FOX is much weaker than the other and they are not located near each other. Both are located within the city limits of Carthage, IL in publicly accessible areas.
AMATEUR RADIO DIRECTION FINDING (ARDF)
There are tons of Fox Hunting resources/sites/equipment/info on the net. Here are just a few.
http://theleggios.net/wb2hol/projects/rdf/rdf.htm
Some DIY Antennas:
Build it: 2 meter Tape Measure Yagi Beam Antenna – KB9VBR Antennas There are tons of Fox Hunting resources/sites/equipment/info on the net. Here are just a few.
http://theleggios.net/wb2hol/projects/rdf/rdf.htm
Some DIY Antennas:
Build it: 2 meter Tape Measure Yagi Beam Antenna – KB9VBR Antennas
theleggios.net/wb2hol/projects/rdf/tape_bm.htm
There are many Youtube videos about Fox Hunting/Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF). Here are a few:
Links to equipment; kits, assembled, other:
Favorite plans we have used:

Some information for those that are thinking of using baofengs:
This attenuation system has been tested and used successfully with hand-held receivers and transceivers from Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu, Alinco and Wouxun. These sets have standard superheterodyne design. However, Baofeng transceivers have a software-defined receiver (SDR) architecture with minimal filtering that makes them unsuitable for close-in tracking with offset attenuators. Two significant problems have been observed with Baofeng receivers:
- Within 20 feet of a low-power (50 milliwatt) transmitter, the receiver produces spurious signals on the offset frequencies that are audible even when the attenuator power is turned off. These spurs interfere with the offset signal, resulting in incorrect bearings.
- Within 15 feet of a low-power transmitter, the offset signal is reduced by receiver desense. This makes the apparent signal level go down instead of up when the antenna is aimed toward the transmitter, causing incorrect bearings.
When tracking higher power fox transmitters, these effects occur at greater distances. Tests were preformed with the Baofeng Model UV-5R, which is typical of all Baofeng hand-held sets.
OFFICIAL BBARC FOX HUNT RULES
*These rules are subject to revision as needed- you will be given the current rules at registration. If you have any questions, please see the contacts section below for someone to ask.
Nomenclature:
Fox – a low-power hidden transmitter that is the game objective. Hound – an amateur radio operator attempting to locate the Fox. Hunt Master – an amateur radio operator responsible for hiding the fox, directing the hunt, providing clues, and determining the winner of the game.
The Big Bend Amateur Radio Club supports and encourages FOX hunting within the city limits to hone HAM operator’s radio directional finding skills. This is just another one of the many fun aspects of the amateur radio hobby and is seated in tradition and fellowship. The following provides the hunting guidelines for the BBARC located in Hancock County, IL.
So what fox sound like exactly?
The Hunt Master will play the audio sample for you at registration. It consists of tones and morse code which identify it as KC9LMF FOX HUNT. The fox sounds the tones and message and then will be quiet for a short period and then begin again; the tones and CW are not continuous.
If you wish, you can use a timer function on your phone to time the silent period and then you would know if you went out of range.
Fox hunters must display an advisory in their vehicle. This advisory will be provided to you at registration. It is suggested you place it either on your dashboard, or in a window where it can be clearly seen. Fill in your call sign and include an emergency number at the bottom.
Hunt rules:
1 – Safety. All hounds should be aware of the distraction(s) involved when driving a vehicle and tracking a frequency using radio directional finding. Do not lose attention of the surroundings and the situational conditions of driving and performing other tasks at the same time. Obey all traffic laws and be courteous to other drivers and pedestrians that are unaware of your focus and intent.
2 – The local police department has been notified and briefed. It is important to let the local law enforcement know when a hunt has been scheduled, what it entails, and how long it the game session will last. The Hunt Master has briefed the police department on the event and equipment used.
3 – The Fox Hunt is about having FUN and Learning. There are no prizes for finding the Fox first; the Hunt has a flexible start time. Once a Hound has completed the Hunt Check-in and Registration, the Hunt Master will allow the Hound to start the hunt, with an absolute ending time designated for the days’ specific Hunt.
4 – The Fox will be hidden within the city limits of Carthage, IL
5 – The Hunt Master will place the Fox in a location that is publicly accessible.
6 – If a Hound, after an exhaustive attempt, is unable to locate any signal at all, they may contact the Hunt Master for a clue.
7 – Hounds must have their vehicle identified as a participant by displaying the Fox Hunt Advisory given at registration. This should be placed on the dashboard, and somewhere that can be easily read by bystanders and law enforcement.
8 – The Fox transmitter may not be modified, altered or moved in any way after being placed by the Hunt Master. This includes but not limited to:
- The transmitter frequency
- The transmitter power output
- Antenna configuration
- Location
9 – Hounds may not move the Fox or camouflage it after they have found it.
10 – Hounds will not discuss their progress with others hunting the Fox.
11 – The Hunt Master will be the only on that knows which Hounds have found the Fox and in what order. Hounds will all be hunting under the impression they will be the first to find the Fox.
12 – Hounds may participate as teams, but only in a SINGLE vehicle.
13 – NO RADIO COMMUNICATIONS revealing progress on the hunt may be transmitted. E.g. “I’m on Wabash heading towards the square.”
14 – Abuse to the Fox will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Incidents will be reported to the ASPCA.
15 – The Hunt Master will announce when the game has completed and declare the winning Hound(s). If possible, listen to the BBARC repeater on 147.105 tone 103.5 for announcements. Regardless of locating the Fox or not, the hunt will officially end at 11:30 AM. Please check in at BBARC Fox Hunt HQ at Hancock County ESDA at 1006 Wabash Ave., Carthage, IL when you have located all Fox(s) or you wish to discontinue your hunt, or the hunt has ended.
16 – Once you have eyes on the fox, immediately report by texting the Hunt Master, Gary KD9LOQ, at (NUMBER TO BE PROVIDED AT REGISTRATION) Fox Found, your name, call sign, and ID Number shown on outside of Fox.
Then make your way to Fox Hunt HQ at Hancock County Esda 1006 Wabash Ave for debrief.
17 – HAVE FUN!
Contacts:
Hunt Master- Gary KD9LOQ
BBARC Repeater 147.105 tone 103.5
BBARC FOX HUNT HQ:
Hancock Co. ESDA
1006 Wabash Ave.
Carthage, IL 62321
BBARC WEB SITE: www.kc9lmf.org
Email: bbarc@kc9lmf.org