Transcript SPARC Fox Hunt

SPARC Fox Hunt
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June 5, 2013
Background
Why do a fox hunt?
Some IARU Rules…
SPARC Event
Background
• Fox hunt is a common name for hunting a hidden radio
transmitter
– Transmitter hunt, T-hunt
– Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF)
– Foxoring
• ARDF: regional and international hunts following IARU
rules (80m and 2m)
• Local hunts add additional bands with rules by the
sponsoring club (50, 223, 440, and 1200 MHz)
– May be on-foot, mobile, bicycle, cross country skiing, etc.
• Ham license not required to participate in the hunt
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Why do a Fox Hunt?
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Activity for New/Existing Technicians
New way to use those VHF/UHF handhelds
Learn and use some new antenna types
Improve radio skills
– Finding sources of RFI
– Amateur radio self-policing
– Search and rescue
– Wildlife tracking
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IARU ARDF Events & Rules
• Conducted on 80m (CW) and 2m (AM)
– Two separate days (training event the day prior)
– On foot, starting every 5 minutes
– Five transmitters plus a finish beacon on each band
• 400 meter separation
• Individual competition by age group
• Transmitter
– Transmit for 60 seconds on five-minute interval
– 80m: five watts max
– 2m: one watt max
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IARU ARDF Events & Rules
• Map showing start and finish points
• Transmitters are marked by an orange/white
flag (no more than 4 meters from antenna)
• Control Card or Electronic Registration
– Verify that the transmitter was found
• Most transmitters in shortest time wins
• Doping is not allowed!
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What Does it Look Like?
Punches
Transmitter Flag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPLWCc_rDqk
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SPARC Event
• Conduct an “on-foot” transmitter hunt
• Has the feel of a national or international
ARDF event
– Scaled down
– Simple rules, but still challenging
– Use gear that many of us already have
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SPARC Event
• Transmitters will be placed in the wooded area of
Claude Moore Park
• Map showing general location of transmitters
• Two hidden transmitters
– One on 2m and one on 70cm
– Marked with orange/white flag
• Finish Beacon
• Teams of no more than two hams
– Staggered 5 minute starts
• Read the “code name” off of each transmitter
• Shortest time to find both foxes wins
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Equipment Needed
• Dual Band HT or handheld scanner
– FM reception on 2m and 70cm
• Some type of directional antenna
– Tape-measure Yagi
– Loop
• Attenuator
– Step
– Offset
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Some Sources for More Info
• General Information
– Rules, building antennas, attenuators, strategy,
and links to many other sites
– http://www.homingin.com
• Numerous articles in QST and CQ VHF
– See Jan 2013 QST on making a 2m Loop Antenna
• Arrow Antennas (handheld antennas and attenuators)
• Elk Antennas (dual band log-periodic)
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