On Demand Pack-A-Lunch Hunts
We currently do not have any on demand hunts active. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
About Our Group
Before founding our group in the mid-1990s, San Jose hunters inspired us. We took over after they disbanded, starting with Fremont hunts.
Expanding across the Bay Area, we peaked with weekly hunts in Fremont, Pleasanton, and Santa Clara Valley. Redwood City and the Bay Hunt eventually followed (see starting locations on the menu). We also have a more “demanding” hunt called the "Pack-A-Lunch" hunts: longer day trips exceeding 100 miles, starting mid-morning, and often lasting most of the day. As the name suggests, you may want to pack lunch with you. Our regular hunts typically last for three hours or until all hunters find the fox, the pack-a-lunch hunts can sometimes last all day.
While we have not had scheduled pack-a-lunch hunts in the last few years, from time to time we have an “On Demand Pack-a-Lunch” hunt. You can see them listed on our upcoming events schedule and you can contact our Fox Master Rich for more information when they are active.
The people that attend our hunts come from all types of professional backgrounds. With the common attribute, we are amateur radio operators and doing this as a hobby.
While this is a hobby for many, there are members of our team that have been called upon to help during regional events, standing-by to assist with tracking down radio interference should the need arise. For these select few people, it went beyond a hobby and became a valuable professional asset to groups responsible for public safety communications.
Many of us have been doing this for decades. We enjoy the time together and we have found over time, the competitiveness has declined, and hunters more willingly share information at the start and help others get into the hobby. The goal is for everyone to have a fun relaxing outing.
What is Transmitter Hunting?
Transmitter hunting (T-Hunting), also known as fox hunting or radio direction finding (RDF), is a sport or activity where participants use radio direction-finding techniques to locate hidden transmitters. These transmitters, often referred to as "foxes," emit radio signals at a specific frequency, and participants use specialized equipment such as directional antennas, doppler units, receivers, and maps/mapping software to track down and locate these signals.
The goal of transmitter hunting can vary. Sometimes it's purely for recreational purposes or as part of a competition where participants compete against each other to find and pinpoint the location of the hidden transmitter. It's a combination of radio knowledge, direction-finding skills, and sometimes even problem-solving abilities as participants analyze the signals and use various techniques to home in on the source.
Transmitter hunting is popular among amateur radio enthusiasts, as it offers a fun way to test their skills in radio direction finding while enjoying the outdoors. It can also be used for training purposes by radio operators to improve their ability to locate and identify different radio signals.
Why do we T-hunt/RDF?
To have fun - If you’re not enjoying yourself, even when you don’t win, you may want to rethink why you’re participating. This is a chance to learn, grow your skills, and enjoy a recreational hobby. Don’t take it too seriously; hobbies should be fun while helping you develop new abilities.
It's a learning opportunity - Every hunt offers an opportunity to pick up something new, even if it’s small. In fact, sometimes the most experienced hunters learn the most on a particular hunt.
Camaraderie - We enjoy each other’s company, learn from one another, share stories, and give each other a good-natured “hard time” when things don’t go well (hello, OPEC award). At the end of the day, we simply enjoy being out here together as fellow hams. And if anything ever feels too serious, just revisit the first reason—have fun.
What is a typical event like?
Pre-hunt: We gather at the start, say hi, welcome newcomers, and gear up. The fox (the person hiding), activates the transmitter. Hunters take initial bearings and discuss findings. Hunters then plot bearings, and teams head out.
The Hunt: Hunters track the fox unil they find the location, the event is over when all teams are accounted for or three hours have elapsed. The fox collects teams’ mileage counts. It's relaxed, focused on fun, with friendly competition for bragging rights. The "OPEC Award" pokes fun for any team with significantly higher mileage.
Post-hunt::' After finding the fox (or giving up), it's pizza time! We discuss the hunt, debrief with each other to help everyone learn, choose next month's fox, and head home.