Fox hunting 101 - how to find a hidden radio transmitter in three easy steps

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Fox hunting 101 - how to find a hidden radio transmitter in three easy steps

Рет қаралды 13,565

Күн бұрын

Here’s everything you need to know in order to have fun finding a hidden radio transmitter (aka “fox hunting). We’ll follow a simple three step process:
1. Find the signal and take at least three bearings
2. Triangulate the bearings by plotting their intersection
3. Attenuate the signal and find the fox
In this video, I use the terms “bearing” and “azimuth” interchangeably. Technically, they’re different but related concepts. Follow along as I locate a hidden radio transmitter in Fayette County, Georgia.
Fox hunting equipment used: Icom R5 radio scanner, homemade 2m tape measure Yagi antenna (using these plans - www.jpole-ante..., Comet RH-77 whip antenna, Suunto baseplate compass, and a map of the local area. The fox radio was a Baofeng UV-R5 with extended battery pack and Byonics fox controller (www.byonics.co....
Other fox hunting videos I’ve made:
Fox Hunting - Taking a bearing with a loop antenna
• Fox Hunting - Taking a...
Fox Hunting - How to use a frequency offset attenuator
• Fox hunting - How to u...
Be sure to watch until the very end for bloopers.
Thanks for watching and 73,
Joe, KI4ASK
PS - I am not a professional KZfaqr, nor do I make money from these videos. I do, however, enjoy sharing our love of the outdoors and ham radio with others. The video was shot on an iPhone and put together using iMovie on an iPad. In order for you to enjoy a realistic experience, I do minimal editing and do not put in fancy graphics or a soundtrack.
Please like, share, subscribe so that the algorithms make this video more accessible to others.

Пікірлер: 62

@ragheadand420roll 7 ай бұрын

If you leave the antenna on its factory sma antenna when ur in park getting close u can unscrew the ant in small increments until the center pin is basically “arc” ing rf And reduces the signal greatly like an attenuator Used it many times and works great Also when close hold radio up against body and use body like a beam turn 360 for max signal When close u can also look on the 3rd harmonic 146.535 x 3 = 439.605 When finding rf targets etc Its usu encouraged to show a 3rd harmonic no antenna as proof of jamming signal and location ✌🏻

@KI4ASK 7 ай бұрын

Good tips, thanks and 73

@James_Bowie 7 ай бұрын

Excellent tutorial. Too many times I see people race off on one bearing then waste time and miles going back and forth on false readings. Taking time at the outset to do good triangulation usually pays off. Kind of slow and steady wins the race.

@KI4ASK 7 ай бұрын

Yes! Classic blunder is taking one bearing and trying to head straight to it. Triangulation wins everytime. Thanks for watching and sharing. 73, Joe

@ghostmandka5498 Жыл бұрын

Very comprehensive for a basic introduction! Found the elusive "Feng Fox" too!

@KI4ASK Жыл бұрын

Yes indeed! Thanks

@BobbyCharlz 10 ай бұрын

This was super-informative and eye-opening. You’ve given me ideas on some fun activities where friends and family can learn some pretty high-speed skills. Thank you.

@davidlira8853 2 ай бұрын

Super cool man, just started getting into this world of radio frequencies

@paranoidzkitszo 4 ай бұрын

Music to my ears! Love that melody...

@12vibaba 6 ай бұрын

Fantastic. This is something I would like to do as a project with/for my students. invite a ham amateur who likes to do this and build an antenna in the morning and find the fox in the afternoon. I think they would love this. Make learning an adventure. Thanks for the upload

@DarkHelmet46 2 ай бұрын

This was awesome. I just built my first Yagi in preparation for my first fox hunt and this was super helpful. Now to brush up on my old Boy Scout map and compass skills!

@schmidtyyt 4 ай бұрын

What a great intro to fox hunting. Thank you, sir!

@steveyoth1 Жыл бұрын

Super video about fox hunting! When you get closer, remove the antenna. Your body serves to block the signal if the source is behind you. When you get real close, tune off the frequency 10 kHz or so and let the IF filter of the radio attenuate the signal so that your signal strength indicator is not pegged.

@johnsonstechworld Жыл бұрын

We used to hear about fox hunting more often in this region earlier. May be it will start again soon. Nice video demonstration!

@KI4ASK Жыл бұрын

Thanks, we really enjoy it. 73

@staceyscarboro6249 Жыл бұрын

Great video and introduction the basics. You video has gotten me interested in trying this myself and sharing with my club

@KI4ASK Жыл бұрын

Please do! Thanks for watching. 73

@freeidaho-videos 7 ай бұрын

Nicely Done. No need for the expensive Kraken.

@KI4ASK 7 ай бұрын

Agreed and the Kraken kinda takes the fun out of it...although, it does come in handy in quickly spotting jammers and malicious interference! Happy new year and 73, KI4ASK

@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE 8 ай бұрын

Thanks, Joe, this was really useful. I'm going to use this to find the source of some interference. 73 G0ACE

@michaelpriest6242 Жыл бұрын

Our club is going to conduct a fox hunt in September. Thanks for the tutorial.

@KI4ASK Жыл бұрын

Have a great hunt! 73 Joe

@jeffwright6685 2 ай бұрын

The field sma probe set is wonderful for tracking .

@michaeleber4752 16 күн бұрын

There is a new device out called the KrakenSDR. You install 5 antenna on your car roof at very specific locations. It then scans when he/she broadcasts and not only will it find the "fox" but it will guide you to the location using GPS. Almost like a Google Maps Fox Locator. But you can find the fox in just one step.

@op.par_3035 9 ай бұрын

This is so cool

@folkishappalachian6827 6 ай бұрын

I have the kraken and am setting it up, but i wish to learn to do it the old way, with handheld, and with kraken. I appreciate your videos since i can learn the fundamentals. I would like to be able to get to the point where I use my kraken to get to the general area, then use the old school techniques to get to the exact area. What are your thoughts on using a yagi hooked up to an RTL SDR4, an attenuator, and an android phone with an SDR waterfall? I think that could be mounted to a tactical chest rig very easy to hold the gear and free up hands when foxhunting

@KI4ASK 6 ай бұрын

I personally think that's overkill for a basic VHF or UHF foxhunt. A simple HT can get you right to the fox. The additional of an SDR with waterfall doesn't really add any help because you're more interested in signal strength than you are the width or other characteristics of the waveform. Some even find the signal by the strength of the sound. There are some kits out there that you can have that strength relayed to you as audio feedback. That's how the ARDF competitors do it. Having said that, what you've outline should work. I use both an SDR-RTL (for simple stuff) and AirSpy HF+ to hunt DX on all bands, but wouldn't use either for a foxhunt because it's hard to beat the convenience of a handheld radio. Thanks.

@jerrywoods2524 7 ай бұрын

Great video, thanks!!!

@FrozenMilkOnACloudyDay Жыл бұрын

Awesome video thanks

@rogerrugg9184 Жыл бұрын

Good job. but I'd be driving the doppler unit around for that, until I got into the last couple hundred feet. Close up work gets the arrow antenna with the attenuator. The really tough ones get a dose of harmonics when really close.

@KI4ASK Жыл бұрын

Most of the fox hunts we have down here restrict the use of doppler because it gives an unfair advantage - except for the advanced fox hunts. We try hard to encourage beginners that the equipment needs are very simple so they're more likely to participate. We did an advanced one last year where there were two foxes on the same frequency, the tone was different and they were timed to stagger. That confused the doppler, because the broadcast time wasn't long enough to get a solid lock!

@Grip_ItandrRip_It Жыл бұрын

Great job. I like the style and delivery. Everything explained well, lots of clean visual aids - BTW where did you get that map??? Mine never look that nice. And good editing and pace. Would you use the same technique for a hunt in a smaller area on foot? For instance if the entire hunt took place inside a large park or outdoor area, all on foot and no driving.

@KI4ASK Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind remarks! I use GaiaGPS.com for mapping. Excellent service via web and app. You can download topo maps and use them off grid. Yes, I would use the same technique on foot, except...you might not need a Yagi. If it's less than 1/2 mile, I bet you can get by with the whip antenna and the challenge is to attenuate the signal. In fact, I conducted a hunt in a state park two years ago and everyone just used an HT with no special equipment. Have fun and let me know how your next hunt goes. 73

@eugenecbell 4 ай бұрын

Great video. Can you expand on how your handheld is directional with no antenna?

@KI4ASK 4 ай бұрын

Sure, there's actually a part two to this video which elaborates on directionality and attenuation. Here's the link -> kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g9aDgrN1mdLSh4U.html

@eugenecbell 4 ай бұрын

@@KI4ASK another great video. Body blocking is a very useful idea. I’m still not understanding how the antenna jack alone is not omnidirectional. I suppose the sides of the jack shield some in all but the open direction. I need to make a fox or micro fix and play with it before the next fix hunt. I bought 2 Db and 3 Db attenuators. I was planning to use them with my Yagi, but ran out of time at the fox hunt, last year. Radio is fun and there are always new aspects to learn. Your videos are great and very helpful. Thank you for the work you put into them.

@2ndarymotion 8 ай бұрын

So you found the radio that you hid?

@KI4ASK 8 ай бұрын

That my wife KI4HHI hid, yes.

@mrRoverkane 8 ай бұрын

😂😂😂

@rudis1069 Ай бұрын

I’m curious if you would have had more accurate results if you took into account magnetic declination when applying your azimuth to the map?

@KI4ASK Ай бұрын

Doubt it. It's only 6 degrees difference here and the rule of thumb for horizontal accuracy of a Yagi is 15 degrees on either side of center. Good point though.

@the1spyderryder Жыл бұрын

Great video Joe! 73 AC0Y IN SE NC

@KI4ASK Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@oneproudbrowncoat 10 ай бұрын

@@KI4ASKInteresting, but what do you do once you've found the 'fox'?

@KI4ASK 10 ай бұрын

@@oneproudbrowncoat depends on the hunt. Some organized hunts have you make note of a code number affixed to the “fox” or take a numerically sequenced card

@oneproudbrowncoat 10 ай бұрын

@@KI4ASK Oh. It seems I had the wrong idea of what this was.

@eugenecbell 4 ай бұрын

That is a great map for fox hunting. Can you tell us where you got it from?

@KI4ASK 4 ай бұрын

GaiaGPS

@workingwiththelight3119 4 ай бұрын

This is how you find a spy sending codes to his base

@sivoltage 5 ай бұрын

Cool

@docholt0000 10 ай бұрын

Did you do a video on how you made the tape measure antenna?

@KI4ASK 9 ай бұрын

I haven't. It wouldn't be that exciting - basically just cutting and measuring the elements, then doing a little soldering. Maybe a future video. I think some others have done video builds.