Hams Chase Radio Foxes on a Special Weekend

Click here for CQ WW FW report form

 

Announcing CQ's 26th Annual Foxhunting Weekend
May 13-14, 2023

by Rich Moseson W2VU
Editor, CQ Amateur Radio Magazine

CQ Mag April 2009A ham radio magazine is once again urging amateur radio clubs and ham operators across America to go "foxhunting."  But the bushy-tailed animals have nothing to fear.  Hams, after all, are not hounds, and in ham radio lingo, a "foxhunt" is one of several names for radio direction finding, a competition to locate a hidden radio transmitter.

CQ Amateur Radio Magazine has designated May 13-14, 2023 as the "CQ Worldwide Foxhunting Weekend" (CQ WW FW), and is encouraging ham operators and radio clubs to conduct hidden transmitter hunts at that time.

"It's not a QSO contest and there are no set rules," writes radio foxhunting veteran Joe Moell KØOV.  "It's just a time for clubs, schools and Scout groups to try this exciting radiosport."  Moell notes that participation is not limited to licensed hams.  "There's no license requirement to receive, so everyone can participate.  If there is a conflict on that weekend, any time in the spring will do.  We're not picky!"

On-air competition is a ham radio tradition dating back nearly to the birth of the hobby and foxhunting has been part of that tradition for at least 60 years.  Foxhunting may be done by car or on foot, and the magazine is encouraging ham groups to use either one or both during the CQ WW FW.  And there's more than a fun day of friendly competition involved.

"Foxhunting is certainly fun and a competitive challenge," says CQ's  Editor Rich Moseson W2VU, "but it also teaches important radio direction-finding (RDF) skills that may be called upon in searching for a lost hiker or downed airplane's Emergency Locator Transmitter.  RDF techniques are also useful for tracking down sources of electronic interference."

CQ Mag April 2008"Transmitter hunting belongs in the mainstream of Amateur Radio," adds Moell.  "Ham RDF can be used for public service and to save lives."

The CQ Worldwide Foxhunting Weekend supports efforts by ham radio groups all over the world to promote the sport.  "The USA Championships of on-foot transmitter hunting take place annually," says Moell, who served as ARDF Coordinator for the USA from February 1998 through June 2019.  "Competitors from all over the USA plus visitors from other countries attend.  In 2023, the USA Championships are taking place near Sulfur Springs, Texas in April.  Then the IARU World ARDF Championships are set for late August in Liberec, Czech Republic.  Many clubs use Foxhunting Weekend as an opportunity to train for and promote such championships."

CQ Amateur Radio  is a monthly magazine in print and digital form published by CQ Communications, Incorporated, which also publishes CQ Books and the CQ Video Library.  CQ Communications is based in Hicksville, New York.

This is the 26th year that CQ Communications has sponsored a foxhunting weekend.  Formerly dubbed the "National Foxhunting Weekend," the name was changed in 2007 to recognize the worldwide interest and participation in this sport.  Moell's announcement of the 2023 event is in the February 2023 issue of CQ Amateur Radio magazine, along with stories and photos of the 2022 Foxhunting Weekend.

Click here for CQ WW FW report form

 

A special cake

Having refreshments at the end of the hunt is always a good idea.  This special cake was waiting for finishing foxhunters at a Foxhunting Weekend ARDF hunt in Hillcrest Park, Fullerton, California.


THRDFS coverBack to KØOV's Homing In home page

Go to Let's Go T-Hunting -- An introduction to the fun of mobile hidden transmitter hunts

Go to Latest Championship Foxhunting News -- Upcoming multi-nation foxhunts, plus Team USA's practice locations/dates

Go to International-Style Foxhunting Comes To The Americas -- History and rules of international foxhunting contests

Go to Equipment Ideas for Radio-Orienteering -- Simple and inexpensive receiving and transmitting solutions

Go to Try ARDF on 80 Meters -- The "other" radio-orienteering band

HOMING IN logo CQ logo This page updated 6 February 2023