Fox hunting 102 - Attenuating the radio signal

[@IrishHamRadio]

Failed miserably at my first fox hunt today… 😅 Gonna try some of this next time!

[@KI4ASK]

What happened Dave? We you able to get close to it?

[@KI4ASK]

*were

[@IrishHamRadio]

@@KI4ASK Hi Joe, Yep i got to a point where i was walking over and back in a small space knowing i had to go in a certain direction, but the route i took didnt have a path to get there. I was using body and tree trunk attenuation, but I also made some assumptions about where it may have been hidden when i should have just listened to the radio. I did most of what you suggest but didnt have a signal meter on the radio which made it difficult.. I actually have the same icom as you which ill use next time and id love to build one of those loops also! Have you specs for the loop for a 2m fox?

[@KI4ASK]

@@IrishHamRadio Dave - yes, using an RSSI will help immensely. I didn't build that loop. It's from Arrow Antennas - www.arrowantennas.com/main/fhl.html. Keep me posted on your progress when you tackle another hunt.

[@kennylyons2835]

Id like to know more about the fox, the small board hanging off the baofeng is relevant to my interests

[@KI4ASK]

It's this fox controller -> www.byonics.com/piccon

[@robertolson1014]

We use the third harmonic a lot as well. We try to host hunts every few months in the Denver CO metro area. Just multiply the Fox frequency by 3 which puts it in the 70cm range. Enter that frequency and hunt that frequency when you are close and need more attenuation. -N0CFM

[@eugenecbell]

Great idea! Thank you.

[@ghostmandka5498]

Max Gain, ham cat extraordinaire! Nice video again. Going to have to do more of these.

[@KI4ASK]

We're doing a mini foxhunt this Thursday 4/27 in downtown Fayetteville, GA. An HT and attenuation tips from this video are all one will need to find the fox!

[@randykitchleburger2780]

I have found that you can use a metal pole to attenuate signal in a given direction with a whip antenna, using your body to attenuate is the same thing but with less attention

[@scotsmith2361]

Really great information, thank you.

[@KI4ASK]

Thanks

[@simeonblakely7102]

Wanted to give a thumbs up, but it already is at 73 likes… feel liked I’d be breaking some unstated code and that it should forever stay at 73

[@jaymzx0]

4 months later and it's at 88. Same conundrum...

[@briank3940]

Great info. Wish I’d have watched this before yesterday’s fox hunt. Nobody found them as they were too well hidden and on private property.

[@KI4ASK]

Yeah, I don't recommend putting them on private property as a general rule. Even if the group has permission, it's too easy for participants to stray and trespass on other private property accidentally. I once saw a fox hunt in which the fox was hidden in a guys mailbox. The participants scoured the neighborhood opening mailboxes. Cops were called out because of suspicious behavior and they had to end the event.

[@IrishHamRadio]

Will do!@@KI4ASK

[@thecadman68]

Great video. Thank you! Do you have plans or more information on that loop antenna?

[@KI4ASK]

I purchased that loop antenna. Here's a link -> www.arrowantennas.com/main/fhl.html

[@Russell12344]

Hi Joe. Great video! I really enjoy your videos. Is there any special trick in pointing the port/connector of the antenna in direction finding, once the antenna is removed? I've tried this method, but with inconsistent results. I really like this concept, and I would greatly appreciate any further advice on it. Thanks a million!

[@KI4ASK]

No, I point the top of the connector in the direction I want to get a signal from. You may need to shield your radio and/or use an offset frequency attenuation to lessen the impact of stray RF getting into the radio

[@peterpelletier6080]

I wonder if a metal or foil cone from the ground of the connector outward would add directionality ? (Holding the HT horizontally) Body blocking seemed to be adequate.

[@Taylor7668US]

What you are hearing is a ham radio repeater

[@KI4ASK]

No, it’s not a repeater. It’s a transmitter - low power transmitter.