The Club’s ‘fox hunt’ is an annual event held on a club night. This year it was Peter (G0OIKs) turn to be the fox. The way the club organises this event is for the fox to find a spot within a few miles of St Albans where a station is set up.
Every few minutes a signal is transmitted by the fox on the two-meter band.
The rest of the club members, operating in teams in cars, monitor with a directional antenna to try to be the first team to find the fox’s location. At the end of the evening, details of the fox’s location are announced on air and everyone then meets in a pub for a beer and a good chat! Usually, a member of the winning team plays the fox the following year.
Here is Peter (G0OIKs) report:
In recent years the fox has parked up in a pub car park and operated from a car. I have always felt that it was a bit too easy and always wanted it to be a bit more of a challenge. So I decided I would hide in full view. That way some extra detection would be needed.
operated from a car. I have always felt that it was a bit too easy and always wanted it to be a bit more of a challenge. So I decided I would hide in full view. That way some extra detection would be needed.
My fox hole was a park bench on Redbourn Common, about 100 yards from ‘The Cricketers’ pub.
With a long-haired wig and a false beard, I was hoping to have some hunters and hounds pass me by.
The antenna I used was mounted on a piece of ‘Dexion’ together with parts from a mag mount. I secured a hook about 2/3 of the way up, which hooked over the branch of a tree. The bottom of the ‘Dexion’ was camouflaged with light branches.
During the evening one team did get very close but as it was only as it was getting dark, one team found me. They were David G4HHJ and Richard M0GTJ. However, all six teams that took part in the fox hunt did manage to find ‘The Cricketers’ pub. So from that point of view, everyone made it to the finishing location!
Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the event and I will be looking forward to next year’s event.
Peter King (G0OIK)