Once again this great hobby of amateur radio gives everyone an opportunity to try something different. Whatever your interests or talents may be, there is something here for you. Detective work of sorts is required for success in Radio Direction Finding (RDF). RDF is also known as foxhunting, rabbit hunting, and hidden transmitter hunting.
The trial, or run, usually starts at a club meeting where one member is chosen to be the “rabbit”. This rabbit hides a transmitter in the woods, a park, or any place of his choosing. This transmitter is usually just a small self contained unit set to transmit a signal at appropriate intervals, or the rabbit could be sitting in his car pushing the button on his hand held set. He must not move, however. Because of the need for portability, this is usually restricted to VHF/UHF or FM radios.
Those trying to find the rabbit are equipped with their direction finding equipment and each tries to be the first to find the hidden transmitter. Most of this equipment is either home made or relatively inexpensive. In the beginning, you can join a team and learn and have fun. RDF also has a serious side. The FCC uses RDF to locate illegal transmitters and they occasionally call on the amateur operators to assist. Locating a hidden transmitter is challenging and is an art form. The next time you have an opportunity to participate in a foxhunt, take advantage and have fun while building your direction finding skills for the real thing.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
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About Me
- Jack Stahl
- One of the wonderful aspects of using Morse code as a communications mode is that it is very indifferent as to the operator’s age. A good fist (one who sends well) can be ten years old or one hundred. I say this is wonderful because I am happily enjoying my sixty ninth year. I am new to the hobby of amateur radio, however, since I passed my technician test in September of 2006 and was awarded the license and call sign of KD8EJY by the FCC. I then passed my General exam in November and was granted my vanity call sign request of K8ASA by the FCC Although I am new to the amateur radio hobby, I am not new to Morse code. The ASA in my call sign refers to the Army Security Agency who sent me to a special school in 1956 to become efficient in Morse code. I was sent to Ethiopia for two years to give the army the benefit of my new skill. While back in those days my knowledge of Morse code was beneficial to our national security, 51 years later it now brings me pure pleasure. There has been a hiatus of fifty years between my army discharge and my becoming a ham and I do truly regret the fact that I missed out on all those years of enjoyment with the amateur radio hobby.
3 comments:
nice qso with you on Sunday nite.
earlier I operated with a old ten-tec argonaut(2w), then worked you with the Century 21(30w). nice blog Jack. Found it linked from qrz. Take care, 73 de W8KJ
Thanks for the comments Kevin and your QSL card is on the way. Jack
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