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Fox Hunting, also known as hidden transmitter hunting, is an activity wherein participants use radio direction finding techniques to locate one or more radio transmitters. The transmitters are hidden within a designated search area. This activity is most popular among amateur radio enthusiasts.
Hidden transmitter "FOX HUNTING" is pursued in several different popular formats. Many transmitter hunts are organized by local radioclubs and may be conducted in conjunction with other events, such as a radio enthusiast convention or club meeting. Before each hunt, participants are informed of the frequency or frequencies on which the transmitters will be operating, and a set of boundaries that define a search area in which the transmitters will be located. Some hunts may include limits on the amount of time allowed to find a transmitter. Although many transmitter hunts are conducted just for the fun of the activity, some more competitive hunts will recognize winners in publications and offer awards, prizes and certificates. These local events are often held in public parks and the participants compete entirely on foot.
Most mobile transmitter hunts use VHF transmitters and receivers. Some participants use radio direction finding equipment and antennas mounted on a vehicle, or the antennas are simply temporarily deployed in an open window or an opening in the vehicle roof that can be easily rotated by hand while the vehicle is in motion. Other participants employ handheld antennas and radios that can only be used when the vehicle is stationary. Some mobile transmitter hunts require participants to leave their vehicles and proceed on foot to reach the actual location of the radio transmitter. The winner of a mobile transmitter hunt can be either the first vehicle to arrive at the hidden transmitter, or the vehicle that travels the shortest overall distance to locate the hidden transmitter. Mobile transmitter hunts are more popular in North America than other parts of the world.
A regulated sport form of transmitter hunting called Amateur Radio Direction Finding, known worldwide by its acronym, ARDF. An annual ARDF event is held somewhere in the world and winners are awarded medals in Olympic style award ceremonies. ARDF is an amateur radio sport that combines the skills of orienteering and radio direction finding. ARDF is a timed race in which individual competitors use a topographic map and magnetic compass to navigate through diverse, wooded or challenging terrain while searching for hidden radio transmitters. ARDF is the most popular form of transmitter hunting outside North America.
Hidden transmitter "FOX HUNTING" is pursued in several different popular formats. Many transmitter hunts are organized by local radioclubs and may be conducted in conjunction with other events, such as a radio enthusiast convention or club meeting. Before each hunt, participants are informed of the frequency or frequencies on which the transmitters will be operating, and a set of boundaries that define a search area in which the transmitters will be located. Some hunts may include limits on the amount of time allowed to find a transmitter. Although many transmitter hunts are conducted just for the fun of the activity, some more competitive hunts will recognize winners in publications and offer awards, prizes and certificates. These local events are often held in public parks and the participants compete entirely on foot.
Most mobile transmitter hunts use VHF transmitters and receivers. Some participants use radio direction finding equipment and antennas mounted on a vehicle, or the antennas are simply temporarily deployed in an open window or an opening in the vehicle roof that can be easily rotated by hand while the vehicle is in motion. Other participants employ handheld antennas and radios that can only be used when the vehicle is stationary. Some mobile transmitter hunts require participants to leave their vehicles and proceed on foot to reach the actual location of the radio transmitter. The winner of a mobile transmitter hunt can be either the first vehicle to arrive at the hidden transmitter, or the vehicle that travels the shortest overall distance to locate the hidden transmitter. Mobile transmitter hunts are more popular in North America than other parts of the world.
A regulated sport form of transmitter hunting called Amateur Radio Direction Finding, known worldwide by its acronym, ARDF. An annual ARDF event is held somewhere in the world and winners are awarded medals in Olympic style award ceremonies. ARDF is an amateur radio sport that combines the skills of orienteering and radio direction finding. ARDF is a timed race in which individual competitors use a topographic map and magnetic compass to navigate through diverse, wooded or challenging terrain while searching for hidden radio transmitters. ARDF is the most popular form of transmitter hunting outside North America.
