Fox Hunting

What's a Fox Hunt?

A "fox hunt" (or "T-hunt", short for transmitter hunt) is a friendly competition where one operator hides a small low-power transmitter — the fox — somewhere in the city. Other operators try to track it down using directional antennas, signal strength meters, and a healthy dose of detective work. Last team to find the fox buys coffee.

It's a practical exercise in radio direction-finding skills, which are genuinely useful for tracking down interference, downed beacons, lost ELTs, and stuck microphones — and it's an excellent way to spend a weekend afternoon outdoors.

How It Works

• The fox transmitter sends short bursts on a pre-announced VHF or UHF frequency.
• Hunters use directional antennas (Yagi, loop, or quad) plus an attenuator to find the bearing.
• Triangulating from a few locations narrows the area — then it's a foot hunt for the final approach.
• Beginners are welcome — come along with an experienced hunter to learn the ropes.

Get Involved

Hunts happen periodically throughout the year and are announced on the calendar and in the news. If you'd like to be added to the fox-hunt mailing list, or you have a great hiding spot in mind for the next one, email ve5rara@gmail.com.