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Fox Hunt XIX
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Somewhere in Gloucester County
Fox Hunt XIX Highlights
By Jim Wright, N2GXJ
It was a brisk but clear winter day on Sunday, February 21, 2021, when members of the Gloucester County ARC set out to try and find the hidden transmitter that Al, KB2AYU, had placed somewhere in the northern corner of Gloucester County, NJ.
This time, the transmitter turned out to be in Westville, NJ, in the northernmost corner of Gloucester County, easily visible from in your car once you got there, in a park along side the Big Timber Creek that feeds into the Delaware River, not far from Philadelphia.
There was a full contingent of hunters from multiple teams that checked in at the start of the event, including :
In the end, congratulations go to Frank, N3PUU, first to find the transmitter, with Vinnie's N4NYY team in the area, hot on his heels!
Even with the fox taking to his portable transmitter for a while during the hunt to help teams get a hint as to where he was hiding, I ended up being one of the teams this time that needed to be talked in after an hour. Oh well, better luck next time!
Special thanks to the Al, the fox, for finding such a good hiding spot, and for all the hunters, including some first time hunters, who came out to enjoy some radio sport on this sunny, yet brisk day!
If you missed out this time, and want to get in on the fun next time, not to worry. We typically run at least one of these for each of the seasons.
Hey Frank, as first to find the fox this time, you've got the honors to hide it next time. Perhaps for a "spring has sprung" hunt this April?
By Jim Wright, N2GXJ
It was a brisk but clear winter day on Sunday, February 21, 2021, when members of the Gloucester County ARC set out to try and find the hidden transmitter that Al, KB2AYU, had placed somewhere in the northern corner of Gloucester County, NJ.
This time, the transmitter turned out to be in Westville, NJ, in the northernmost corner of Gloucester County, easily visible from in your car once you got there, in a park along side the Big Timber Creek that feeds into the Delaware River, not far from Philadelphia.
There was a full contingent of hunters from multiple teams that checked in at the start of the event, including :
- Chuck KD2EIB
- Len W2LJR
- Chris KC2IEB
- Marc KC2VAR and Rich
- Vinnie N4NYY
- Frank N3PUU
- Bob KD2NEC
- Bruce KD2LBU
- Jim N2GXJ
- Greg W5DO
- Doug KD2VQA
In the end, congratulations go to Frank, N3PUU, first to find the transmitter, with Vinnie's N4NYY team in the area, hot on his heels!
Even with the fox taking to his portable transmitter for a while during the hunt to help teams get a hint as to where he was hiding, I ended up being one of the teams this time that needed to be talked in after an hour. Oh well, better luck next time!
Special thanks to the Al, the fox, for finding such a good hiding spot, and for all the hunters, including some first time hunters, who came out to enjoy some radio sport on this sunny, yet brisk day!
If you missed out this time, and want to get in on the fun next time, not to worry. We typically run at least one of these for each of the seasons.
Hey Frank, as first to find the fox this time, you've got the honors to hide it next time. Perhaps for a "spring has sprung" hunt this April?
February 20, 2021
There is a lot of useful Fox hunt information on our w2mmd.org website.
You do not need to spend lots of money on exotic equipment to be successful.
Here's what you have all been waiting for, the rough boundaries for tomorrows Fox hunt :
I recommend a starting point more toward the center of the area than the periphery.
Start digging through Google maps!
Good luck!
Al KB2AYU
There is a lot of useful Fox hunt information on our w2mmd.org website.
You do not need to spend lots of money on exotic equipment to be successful.
Here's what you have all been waiting for, the rough boundaries for tomorrows Fox hunt :
- Delaware St./Cooper St. to the South.
- Delaware river to the West/North.
- Route 47 to the East.
I recommend a starting point more toward the center of the area than the periphery.
Start digging through Google maps!
Good luck!
Al KB2AYU
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For those that have not tried one of these fox hunts before, the idea is simple, and is quite fun. You can even bring the whole family along. It goes something like this.
A day before the hunt, the FOX will send an email to the Club reflector. In it, he will give directions that will narrow down search area we have to hunt in to something no larger than approximately 4 square miles, here in southern NJ. Then, by 1 pm on the Fox Hunt day, we drive into that area, and wait to hear from him on the W2MMD 2 Meter repeater (147.180 MHz PL Tone 131.8 Hz) asking for check-ins. You can also check-in using EchoLink : W2MMD-R. Each car full of us will check in with him on the repeater, so that he’ll know who all is hunting, and can give clues if anyone gets lost. Then the transmitter is turned on, and the hunt begins! By using a “warmer / colder” technique, where the signal is strongest when you are closer, and weaker when further away, or any technique of your choosing, the idea is to find the transmitter within an hour. If anyone is still searching after an hour, he’ll talk us all in using the Club’s repeater, so that all hunters will have the chance to meet up with him and laugh about our adventures! The transmitter is a Byonics MicroFox 15. It has an approximate transmitting range of 1 mile radius. The hunt frequency is 146.565 MHz. The transmission mode is FM simplex. When you are getting close to the transmitter, you can switch to 439.695 MHz, which is the third harmonic, to get a better read on its location. Hunters are encouraged to team up together, as it is a great event to partner up with non-ham family members who can help drive while you home-in on the signal using your radio. |
Transmitter
Frequency 146.565 MHz (3rd harmonic 439.695 MHz) 
Transmitter
Range +/- 1 Mile Radius |