But first, we must start at the beginning.  The fox (me, N4IXL) ran a last minute test and was running late, not only from borrowing a battery from Gary, KN4AQ, but then having to solve an RF problem that caused the main FOX to keep transmitting once keyed.  I met Charles NZ0I and the first hunter, Bruce KC4UQN at the Cary Towne Center parking lot shortly after 10 am for the 11 am hunt.  That meant that the hunt started with only one transmitter (the rest being borrowed from Charles), in the hopes that I had plenty of time to set the others up while the outwitted hunters gallivanted around town (or towne as they probably say in Cary).

Shortly after 11, after Gary arrived, we began the hunt.  This was the first drive-to hunt in quite a while in the area, the object of which was to find all the transmitters in the quickest time, with mileage used as a tie-breaker.  I took a circuitous route just in case anyone was cheating by following me, and stopped off for some cookies and chocolate milk.

Thankfully, I was first to arrive at the foxhunt site which was a small park within a few miles of the mall.  No sooner had I hidden the first transmitter and two decoys when I was greeted by a surprise.  A large van, bustling with 4 Doppler antennas was turning into the parking lot driven by a man with a snickering hyena laugh.  He apparently thought his unannounced presence and incredibly quick success was funny; I did not.  I did not want to be beaten so quickly.  I thought of killing him and disposing of the body in the woods, but realized the distraction would cause me to not get the other transmitters, set for a different frequency than the first and at lower power, hidden in time for the others to arrive.

This HAM does not want to be identified at this time due to some other activities he is presently involved in, and even though he drove quite a distance and may have gotten a head start by not checking in, he was the first to find the main fox and deserves the credit.  This fox, on the .565 foxhunt frequency, was remotely controlled and was turned off the 30 minutes before the hunt, then turned back on about 10 minutes before.  The Vanned Ham should have gotten no real advantage therefore, and the benefits of a Doppler unit for on-the-move tracking of a stationary target is impressive.

Next to arrive, and not too far behind ( I was still not finished hiding transmitters due to talking with the mystery ham) was Charles.  Charles used just his beam, attenuator, map, compass, and HT.  He made quick work of the first fox, even finding the hidden, brown, flexible twin lead j-pole strung against the side of a tree.  In fact, the only one that gave him any trouble was one hidden in the center of a metal-fenced tennis court. I was proud of that one as the readings were all over the place.  Still, Charles turned in an impressive time and was even sent out for drinks as a "reward" for being so skilled.  Being the first to find all the foxes, Charles won the hunt!

Gary, KN4AQ was next and with only a few hints also found all the transmitters.  Still getting used to the new equipment he borrowed only for the hunts, he took his time, tried different things, and I hope, enjoyed his time in the woods on a beautiful, but very hot day.  Second place in the hunt goes to Gary!

Bruce had to leave halfway through the hunt, but returned to do some hunting on foot.  He deserves an honorable mention for supporting the hunt and for honing his skills.

I had the best spot in the house, in a gazebo on a hill.  I could see much of the action from that vantage point and interact with the innocent bystanders and their children who let me know with their looks that they were curious... or afraid.  I hope we made a few more friends for HAM Radio.   I can't wait for the next hunt!

- Fred Decker, N4IXL