Radio Hunt 2012
11-27-2011
The Flyers are out, the game is being prepared.
Orlando Amateur Radio Club has shipped their yearly flyers inviting everyone to this years next exciting Hamcation(sm) event, to be held on February 10, 11 and 12th. At this time, we have not heard from last years winner, but he is charged with holding the hunt this year (as in many years past).
TO PARTICIPATE, each team member must have an OARC Hamcation(sm) ticket, and have signed the waiver in order to participate. This includes the driver (if necessary) and additional members. This will be verified at the start and finish lines.
This hunt is designed to identify the fastest winner. Safety is extremely important, as is information such as routes, paths and terrain.
As we get more information, we will post it here. For now, we will definitely be having a hunt!
- Jeff (AJ4MQ)
Previous Years
Radio Hunt 2011 Results!!!
02-13-2011 11:00pm (more photos to come..)
For those who didn't know, when I wasn't at the hamfest, I was working this weekend.. But finally done..
This year, we used 2 transmitters and only had to change plans 4 times. We were going to hide in the neighboring park, but found out
they were having frisbee golf tournaments, and a paint ball tournament.. Too crowded.
We also checked a field North of the fairgrounds, but decided against it after seeing a sign "frequent break in-s, report crime to ###"
After all this, we went with an old fall-back plan.
Transmitter #1 was located in a pile of lights from the fairgrounds, on the North West side of the facility, cleverly locked down to one pole
under the trashbag that was wrapped around it (and had degraded over time). The antenna stuck out of a small palm tree (or palm shrub) with the antenna
sticking out, but extremely hard to see.
Transmitter #2 was located just North of the first, in the livestock viewing area. There was a wall separating the buyers from the livestock being prepared for viewing, and fence pieces were lined up against it. behind that was a grounded thick wire to tie down horses.
#2 was going to be on 147.500, but I discovered a simplex repeater was on frequency, so I made a last-minute modification (146.500). Unfortunately, I didn't have a permanent marker, so I made the only change I could think of, flipped the 7 in the hopes someone would figure it was close to a 6. (no such luck.. oh well.) I tried not to give away the exact position of the radio, but I may have helped it be found.. sorry. Also, when I checked, there was no activity on either frequency until about 10 minutes in. I do apologize for the interruption, guys.
17:52 - Now, this is the largest crew we have seen in a while, so I guess the snow melted in time. Our #1 was awarded to our quickest ham,
Ken Hendrickson N8KH, an Extra from the Melbourne area. (Corrected)
17:56 - Right on his heels was the man from Ohio (?). Both were very skilled, and trusted their equipment.
36:12 - After the first 2 headed out for the restaurant, Art and 2 others showed up at the first transmitter. after a bit of time, a fourth joined the group. Unfortunately, Art had a bad wire, which was preventing him from getting a decent direction. after a bit of time, all 4 found the first transmitter and were hot on the trail for #2.
44:08 - After walking around the area and checking under the blue barrels, they found the second transmitter.
46:-- - Close on their heels, the Michigan team was recovering from an earlier decision. The hardest part in radio hunting, is deciding how to get to a transmitter, either on foot, or driving. On occasion, we have hidden in the park, and the signal was perfect for that location.
Unfortunately, this was part of our plan. We hoped all teams would drive over, to find the fence was locked down. I would definitely had made the same choice. After a few minutes, they quickly tracked down both transmitters.
51;-- - As I started tearing down, Pat informed me someone else was still hunting. I quickly reconfigured it and hid it again. This guy was definitely fast at finding both of them, and it sounded like it was his first hunt. I see great things for this guy if he does this well next year!
Over all, the only problem was the frequency for the second transmitter, and an effective way to communicate this to the hunters without giving things away. This was my fault, but I will have a sharpie handy for the next time. Everyone hunted very well this year, and I hope everyone returns next year. I will keep the website up to date as I get information from the hider for next year, our friend from Melbourne!
Congrats, both the guy from Melbourne, and from Ohio. Always great to see skills at work!
Fun, as always!
And a special thanks to the Orlando Amateur Radio Club, for holding an exciting HamCation(sm) this year, for holding the yearly fox hunt, and providing the wonderful mobile radio prize this year! We hope to continue this fine tradition of sharpening our hunting skills next year!!
- Jeff Mathews (AJ4MQ) for the OARC HamCation(sm)
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Radio Hunt 2011!!!
02-09-2011
We now have 2 transmitters test and up and running, working on the third.
Don't forget to sharpen your skills, as observational skills may be used in a tie-breaker, so listen closely.
Forms will be available on Friday by around 12pm. Remember, they MUST be filled out by 3pm, otherwise you won't be able to start the hunt at 4pm!
All team members must have their own OARC ticket, and have filled out the required forms.
Each team can have 1 active hunter, the man with the equipment (which can be passed to another in the team if needed.) Recommended second member to be the driver, and watch the car as the first hunts. If they hunt together, they need to stay together.
Remember, if a location appears unsafe, think twice. Safety First.
- Jeff Mathews (AJ4MQ)
Radio Hunt 2011
01-17-2011
Pat has selected Olive Garden for the after-hunt party.
Anyone who hasn't joined the Yahoo group, please do so we can keep everyone informed of the OARC Hamcation(sm) Radio Hunts now and in the future! Please spread the word!
Radio Hunt 2011
12-22-2010
Flyers are out, and the fun is just around the corner. Still no annoucement of a prize for the hunt, but for the last ? years, there has been either a $100 gift certificate or HT radio to the fastest team.
This year, we are planning for 3 transmitters. So, how well do you know your morse code? This year's winner will be the fastest and most successful hunter.
All hunters MUST register either Friday or Saturday until 3pm. Don't expect to register at 4pm when the race begins, as they won't be waiting.
As always, be safe, have fun and sharpen those skills! - AJ4MQ
Radio Hunt 2011
09-10-10
As we get closer, we are checking our equipment and locations for the upcoming event! Last year's winner received a $100 gift certificate for AES. This year, we hope to bring back some more complicated transmitters, so be ready for a good hunt. - AJ4MQ
05-07-2010
AJ4MQ and AC4QM will be hiding this year for the Orlando HamCation(sm) event. We are still deciding on the level of difficulty to provide, but expect to have at least 2-3 transmitters.
watch for more information as we get closer to the event!!
Radio
Hunt Results 2010
02-13-2010
Even though there was a smaller than expected turn out this year, we still had an exciting hunt.
Starting Teams:
1: Pat (AC4MQ) and Jeff(AJ4MQ)
2: Dennis & Lizzy (Future Hams)
3: Ken (W1HV) and another ham
The Ohio and 2 other teams weren't heard from this year, possibly snowed in..
Hiding Team:
Phil (W8IC) and Ann (KT8F).
As expected, everyone who showed up at 3:30pm was ready to go at 4pm. Unfortunately, no one seemed to have direction finding equipment. Even
so, the hunt seemed to go well..
Pat and I explored a good section around the fairgrounds and concluded early that the hiders were South, but were unable to determine East or
West. after about a half hour of driving around, we went toward 435 and eventually South. Using nothing more than a pair of HTs and a scope from an Icom-2800 radio, we determined we
got closer to the signal. After 55 minutes, we finally found transmitter one located at a school ground near MetroWest, and hidden on older maps.
We continued around the walkways nearby looking for the second transmitter. After a long walk, about 5:10p, we found it located on the side of a garbage can, fairly well hidden.
After another 20 minutes, I gave up and Pat continued on. at 5:40pm, Pat found the third transmitter along the outer path covering the river.
Unfortunately, we didn't see Dennis & Liz at the site, as the radio they were hunting with stopped working.
Definitely goes to show, a hunt can be done with minimal equipment and effective navigation.
Hopefully next year we can get a larger group of hunters together when we hide.
We would like to thank, once again, the OARC Hamcation(sm) for holding this hunt event each year and invite everyone to join in on future radio foxhunts!
Jeff Mathews
AC4QM
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