About
Foxhunting
Firstly, it should be pointed out
that radio foxhunting, despite its name, does not contain any
foxes or dogs - the name is purely taken as a similarity as the
team being found are known as 'foxes' and the teams tracking are
known as 'hounds'. The following
provides some basic general information about what is needed and
what to expect on a hunt.
The Foxes
Foxhunting involves several groups
of radio 'hams' participating in a tracking exercise. One of the
groups (typically the winners of the previous hunt) is designated
as the foxes, and their role is to hide themselves within a six
mile radius of a given location (such as a town/village, or local
landmark - somewhere that is distinguishable on a map), which
is circulated to all participants in advance of the day.
The foxes will often need to do a
preparation session before the hunt day to find suitable locations
to hide. The criteria for locations is that they are publicly
accessible via roads or footpaths and bridalways. This means that
we avoid the possibility of trespass and that all foxes are able
to be found with some tracking skills.
Once the day has arrived, the foxhunt
will start at a previously specified time. This is kicked off
by each fox in the team transmitting for around one minute continuously,
each following on from each other, at five minute intervals. This
allows the hounds to start tracking, as described below. The fox
hunt continues for a two hour period from its start time, although
hopefully each fox will have been found by each time by the end
of this time period. During the transmission period, the foxes
are not allowed to move location, although can vary their power
and transmission media to try and confuse the hounds!
Foxes can be found in various unexpected locations,
such as in large prickly bushes, up trees and even in rivers!
As a fox, the only equipment that
is needed is a transmitter, to which most people will generally
use a small handheld which has the ability to transmit on the
hunt transmission frequency, and a watch to ensure the timing
is kept correct. Foxes have often been known to vary this to include
aerials with a greater range and transmitters with a higher power
output. Other recommended items are something comfortable to sit
on, clothing to keep warm and dry, and food and drink to keep
the foxes refreshed.
The Hounds
The hounds, previously informed of
the given location, position themselves within the six mile radius
ready for the start time. Using directional aerials, the hounds
work out the location of the foxes, first by taking bearings against
a map, and then tracking via radio signal strength and sight once
in the rough vicinity of where in foxes are hiding.
Generally, the hounds will use the
designated transmission frequency to listen on whilst homing in
on, however when getting closer, harmonics (which are multiples
of the original frequency) will often be used as they can be picked
up on when the fox is close by.
Whilst the role of the fox can be
performed only by licensed radio amateurs due to the need to be
able to transmit on the restricted bands, the role of a hound
can be completed by anyone with suitable equipment as this does
not involve transmitting on the band.
The basic equipment for the hounds
comprises of a vehicle (pretty important for traveling the distances
covered on the hunt!), a receiver for the hunt frequency (which
it is often recommended should cover one of the multiple harmonics
to help to locate the fox) and a directional aerial. Strong boots
and warm, weatherproof clothing should also be worn due to the
varying weather and physical conditions that can to found during
the course of the hunt. Hounds have also developed other methods
to try and track foxes, some more effective than others so you
may see some weird varieties over the course of the hunt.
For specific information on the ESRFG
hunts, please see the 'About Us' section.
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