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T-Hunting
transmitters aka Foxes
Come to the TRANMITTER HUNT canopy near the front hotel entrance
and have some fun.
There will be two transmitters to hunt (ARDF/fox hunt) all day Saturday and Sunday. There will be a beginner and a more advanced transmitter to find. Something for everyone to enjoy.
If you are interested and don’t have any equipment or have never tried a transmitter hunt come on by, we will have equipment to lend out. We will educate you and get you hunting.
Equipment that you can try/borrow for the hunt:
Tape measure Yagi (the same as the kit handed out)
Loop antenna
Radio with S-meter
Offset attenuator
MK4Sniffer
Everyone that finds one of the transmitters will get a sticker for their badge so you show off you found the fox.
The frequencies will be:
146.565 MHz for the advanced transmitter.
144.250 MHz for the beginner transmitter.
Bring your own receiver with S-meter, preferably with a
directional or Yagi or loop antenna to learn how to use your equipment.
Body shading signals with your body can also work with a
standard HT antenna.
All the transmitters will be outdoors on the grounds of the Marriott.
Would you like to build your own tape measure Yagi antenna?
Stop by the tent and get a kit to build your own.
If you can't wait and have a 3D printer you can print your very own Pacificon Tape Measure Yagi Kit.
Link to printable files on Prusa's Printables site
Link to printable files on Bambu makerworld site
Time-laps of 3 kits being printed
This is the same parts that we hand out at the T-hunt tent.
[2024 Prototypes shown]
Brian Zoraster KA6ZED
Brian is active with the LivermoreARK.org Klub and got his General license at Pacificon after the one day class by Paul K6FRC and Rich KN6FW, then Extra with an online exam. He was immediately interested when they talked about radio direction finding, aka Foxhunting. I found Radio Direction Finding - San Francisco (rdf-sf.org) and joined them for their hunts in automobiles around Fremont, CA and on foot.
rdf-sf.org Northern California Transmitter Hunters openardf.org
homingin.com arrl.org/radio-orienteering
arrl.org/qst May 2023, page 55 "Beginner Foxhunting" is about radio direction-finding.
arrl.org/On-the-Air-Magazine Sept/Oct 2023, page 16 "Foxhunting Basics"
arrl.org/On-the-Air-Magazine Mar/Apr 2023, page 16 "Radio Orienteering" is about competitive orienteering
Products: ElkAntennas.com (Elk 2M/440L5BB), ArrowAntennas.com (146-437), DiamondAntenna.net
Fantastic W6NBC Yagi slides explain very practical rules:
.2 wavelength spacing,
5% longer reflector, 5% shorter directors,
parts recommended include 1x2 booms, gamma matching and
fiberglass elements covered in foil tape.
Holes drilled in booms with a circumference matching a flat element's width may
serve better than heavier PVC crosses and clamps.
Many sites online have other two meter yagi designs using PVC, threaded rod and
tape measures that also work.
Come to the FOXHUNT canopy.
Come to the FOXHUNT canopy.
The transmitters we use include the byonics.com/mf MicroFox 15s which transmits about 15 milliwatts and MicroFox PicCon which transmits about 500 milliwatts. We hope this information will help those interested in putting on foxhunts for your own clubs.
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