Getting Started in Foxhunting

Whether you call it "Foxhunting", "Bunny Hunting", "T-Hunting", or just Hidden Transmitter Hunting really doesn't matter.  You can hunt from your car, bicycle, airplane or on foot. And because there's no need to transmit while hunting, you don't even need to have an Amateur Radio license to participate. What matters is that there is one common goal: To determine where a hidden transmitter is located. For this you need some way to tell the direction from which the transmitter's radio waves are coming. Then it's essentially a matter of proceeding in that direction until you reach the transmitter. That's a bit of a simplification, of course, but not by much. Although you can use some pretty sophisticated electronic equipment to make finding the transmitter easier, it doesn't take a lot to get started. We'll leave discussions about the "High Tech" equipment for another time and focus on the basic essentials. That's what you're here for, right?

Once you have a receiver capable of tuning to the hidden transmitter's frequency, most of what you need to get started in hunting for VHF or UHF transmitters can be built using just a few dollars' worth of hardware. It can be also be purchased already built and ready to go for not too much more than that.  Of course, if you're the sort who is good at finding treasures among all the "stuff" at your local Hamfest, you just might find what you need on one morning's outing.

Most hunters start out hunting from the comforts of their car or truck.  Many groups have only this type of hunt, where you can drive right up to the hidden transmitter, usually just another Ham operator parked in his or her car. Although, some years ago, our group was called "a bunch of  weenies" for having only drive-up hunts, these events served as a great training ground for our hunters to begin to build their Radio Direction Finding skills.  Here in the Northeast, quite a few hunts still seem to be of this type, although the popularity of on-foot hunting using portable equipment is growing by leaps and bounds. Now, more hunts feature a combination of mobile and on-foot direction finding.

Although it was slow to get started in the USA compared to the rest of the world, where it's truly a big phenomenon, there's a growing interest in  International style Foxhunting.  Similar to the sport known as "Orienteering", here participants run through woods and fields with map, compass and, of course, radio direction finding gear trying to locate multiple hidden transmitters in the shortest amount of time.

While the overall goal is the same whether you're hunting from your car or on foot, the gear and techniques you use may be a little different. Use the menu on the left to see how you can get started in both types of hunts.

JUST TAG ALONG
Is there a way to see what Radio Direction Finding is all about before you decide to start down the road, so to speak?  Of course! Many local Amateur Radio Clubs hold Foxhunts as part of their activities, some clubs more than others.  So ask around. Someone is sure to know where you can find a hunt.  Of course, there are also the Web Pages such as these and many others, where you can catch up on what's going on and find out when and where there may be a hunt in your area. And while you're at it, if you know of any hunts that do not appear in our calendar, ask those in charge to send us their information. We'll be glad to publicize the events here to fellow Foxhunters.

Once you've found a Foxhunt, get in touch with the organizer and ask if you can tag along with one of the hunters. It's a great way to see how things work.  I'm sure they will be more than glad to have you.  Foxhunters like nothing more than to expose another Ham (or non-Ham) to the thrills of the chase.  Be forewarned, though.  Few can resist the addiction to this facet of Amateur Radio that will undoubtedly grab hold!

"THE BOOK"
Oh yes, there's one essential thing we've not mentioned; an item that should be in every potential Foxhunter's arsenal. Many hunters refer to it as the "bible" of hidden transmitter hunting. It contains just about everything you'll need or want to know. This indispensable book, "Transmitter Hunting: Radio Direction Finding Simplified", by Joe Moell K0OV and Tom Curlee WB6UZZ, should most certainly be part of your Amateur Radio library.

The information we present here in our web pages on basic equipment and techniques certainly doesn't represent all you'll want to know about Foxhunting; many experienced Foxhunters can attest to that. Hopefully, though, it will give you a some idea of how you can get started.  We hope you'll enjoy the reading.

Please send us your comments on how you think we can make this section even more useful to the neophyte Foxhunter. Tell us what else you'd like to see here.

Last modified 061407 AJC