Foxhunting

George, K1IG, suggested setting up a Fox at a residence or public building, that would simulate an interfering or unlicensed transmitter (that wasn’t hidden in the woods in a tick nest, for example).  

As of 6:00 pm EDT, the KD1D Fox is in such a location in Westford.  If you take some initial readings from Hildreth Hills (Monadnock Drive and surroundings), you should get a hint of where it might be.  (It can also be heard from Kimball’s, but it might be best to save that for a reward at the end of your quest).

As usual, the KD1D Fox operates on 146.565 MHz FM with a message that repeats every 60 seconds

There is no logbook and hunters should avoid going on private property.  Be aware of your surroundings, especially traffic. To log your find, just send an email  with the (suspected) street address and/ or a( small) photo to kd1d@arrl.net.
Happy Hunting!

73 de KD1D

Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 2:32 PM on September 3, 2021:

Yes, the K1MJC fox is out yet again!

Here are two clues:

As you know, there are not very many “prospect”-ive places in my home city of Waltham to hide the fox.

Wow, after all this hard work of finding a location for the fox and putting it there I think I’ll need to replenish my energy by going to the corner store and picking up:

 “A candy bar introduced in 1936, consisting of peanut butter crunch layers enrobed in chocolate. “ Mmmmm!

P.S. – There are only three entrances to this area; only two are active at this time due to construction concerns. The fox is close to only one of the entrances of the location in question. 

One of the maps on this page would prove useful!

https://walthamlandtrust.org/trail-guides/

Happy hunting!

73‘s Mike C.  K1MJC

Forgot to mention, the K1MJC Fox is transmitting on 146.565 just in case some were wondering.

I’ll have to brush up on my Map & Compass skills for the KD1D Fox!

Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 4:40 PM on August 27, 2021:

The K1MJC fox is out…!

It is located in a conservation area within the city of Waltham Massachusetts.

Frequency: 146.565

Here are the clues:

The name of the conservation area may be considered another polite name for a person who is a “hoarder“!

There are two entrances, one is a “paine“, but I would not want to … “school“ …  you on the better entrance!

Here is a link to some good conservation maps of the area, it is one of these map’s you need:

https://walthamlandtrust.org/trail-guides/

Happy hunting.

K1MJC Mike C. 73s

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 9:51 AM on August 15, 2021:

Hello Fox Hunters,

The KB1OIQ 2m fox is on the loose!  146.565 MHz

Here are clues for getting close to it:

– Start at the Jack Walsh field

Then, do one of these things, either:

1) Seek the Koalas.

…or…

2) Seek the little bears, then the polar bears, but ignore the bear cubs.

Have fun and 73,

Andy

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

Hi everybody,

<…>

There is a 2m fox on the loose in Westford.  It can be heard on 146.565 MHz near my home QTH (info good on QRZ).

The clue:  The name of the conservation land has these initials (not necessarily in the correct order):  PMC

There are two entrances: one is very well marked with parking for 3-4 cars. The other entrance has a small signpost, with on-street parking nearby.

I forgot to put out the logbook.  Take a photo if you wish and send it to me.

It is still damp in the woods, and annoying flying insects are somewhat abundant.

Have fun and 73!

Andy

John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on Jun 19, 2021 at 1:20 PM:

Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on June 17, 2021 at 1:50 PM:

The W1HFN fox is out, 146.565 MHz with a 20 second voice ID every minute. 

Location clues:  what was the name given to the ALL CAPS typewriter used by professional CW ops?  

And if you elevated one to higher than average terrain, where would it be?  Major hint:  Littleton.

Good luck,
Barry –  W1HFN

The  KD1D Fox is out and about Friday JUNE 11, 2021, operating on 146.565 MHz FM and is expected to be transmitting through Sunday, at least.  

It is located on LITTLETON Conservation land and can be heard from Great Road (Rt. 119) between Lake Nagog and Littleton Common.

The logbook is hidden nearby and should be easy to find.  Enter your Callsign, Name, and Time & Date found or email me a (small) photo at the address below.

A cryptic clue  (for those who enjoy these things) is “Happy Herder.”  Email me at kd1d@arrl.net if you need additional hints.
73 and Happy Hunting from  Alan, KD1D

Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on June 4, 2021 at 1:11 PM

My father was a 30 year vet of the Army and I (knowing better) joined the Air Force. If that is not enough of a hint, email me for more. Standard 146.565 MHz TX with a voice ID every 40 seconds or so. There is a log to sign nearby. Good luck to all!

73,

Barry, W1HFN

p.s. — I forgot to mention–it’s in the Westford area.

I placed the KD1D Fox out this morning. As usual, it transmits a 30 second message every 60 seconds on 146.565 MHz FM.

It is located in Westford Conservation land named after an aquatic mammal once highly prized for making men’s hats.

The Fox can be heard along Concord Rd somewhere between the 99 Restaurant and the railroad crossing at Forge Village. A good place to take a bearing might be near the Robinson School or the old cemetery at the corner of Concord Rd and Country Rd (Interesting, but useless fact – Country Rd used to be called Cemetery Rd, but that tended to “spook” the real estate folks, so it was changed.)

Happy Hunting and 73 de KD1D

From https://bcra.club/bcrawprel/fox-hunting/:

The next BCRA Fox Hunt has been scheduled on Saturday, May 22, 2021.

Communications with “Fox Control” can all be done over the BCRA repeater, including checking in when you have found the fox. You may also speak with us in the control vehicle using physical distancing, if you wish.

Check-ins will begin at 9:45 am on the BCRA repeater, 145.150 MHz PL 123. Chat and help on the repeater also.

The Fox will activate at 10:00 am on 146.565 MHz FM with a 5 watt signal and will transmit 1 minute of tone followed by Morse Code ID and 4 minutes of silence. The hunt will last until 2:00 pm or until all checked in participants have found the transmitter, whichever comes first.

The Fox will be located within a 10 mile radius of the intersection of President Avenue (Rt. 6) and North Main Street in Fall River. ( Latitude 41.7159 Longitude -71.1510 )

The Fox (in my vehicle, a blue/grey Jeep Commander marked BCRA) will be in a public place and will be manned at all times. When you have found the fox your time and order of arrival will be recorded and a personalized certificate will be emailed to each participant.

Participants are encouraged to work in teams, and are asked to drive carefully and observe all applicable guidelines, both from the FCC and the state & local governments. Since participants are receiving only (except for radio check-ins) an amateur radio license is not required.

Email questions to Skip at kb1cnb@bcra.club or text to 774-644-3469. After the hunt, your comments, impressions, and suggestions will be welcome!

Join us and have some good amateur radio fun!

The fox is out as of 9:30 this morning. It is on the regular 146.565 MHz frequency transmitting every five minutes. Sending an * within five seconds of the end of transmission will halve the cycle time if you’re in range.

It was a beautiful morning for a walk, the trees and lilacs are in bloom and the turtles are sun bathing. But if you were thinking about a picnic lunch you are a few years too late. Since everyone found the intersection of Gould Road and Westford Road [in Westford, MA] last time it’s not a bad place to start.

Stan KD1LE

The KD1D Fox is out and about as of 0900 EDT on Friday May 7. The transmitter is on 146.565 MHz FM and begins a 30-second message every 60 seconds. 

Begin your search near the intersection of North Street and Groton Road (Rt, 40),  and you should be able to locate it  easily on nearby Westford Conservation Land. For maps and guides, check out https://westfordconservationtrust.org/trails/ and check out the main page https://westfordconservationtrust.org for an overview of Westford’s extensive program of public lands and trails.

Just one clue this time:   Herpetology and Horses – mind your step!

If you need additional help locating the trail, email me at kd1d@arrl.net.

73 and Happy Hunting de KD1D, Alan

Alan Hicks, KD1D, writes on NEMassFoxHunters list on April 23, 2021 at 1:43 PM:

The KD1D Fox is out for its first run of the spring operating on 146.565 MHz (FM) with a 30 second transmission at one-minute intervals. 
To find it, try heading out of the Westford Common Area in the direction of the Westford Knight and an educational institution that may remind you of the leader of a monastery.  You should start hearing the signal within a 1/4 mile or less.

More clues will be available upon request.

If you find it, be sure to sign the logbook  and record the time and date or send a photo to my callsign at arrl.net.

The audio seems to be down a bit and it may transmit a few “clicks” between messages.   I hope to iron out these minor problems next time around.

Happy hunting and 73 DE KD1D (Alan)

Barry Fox, W1HFN,  deployed his hidden transmitter in Northeast Massachusetts on April 7. His fox transmits on 146.565 with a 20-second voice ID every minute. 

Barry decided to make it a real puzzler.  The only clue he gave for a location was:  GC1AV7V. 

“It should be easy enough in this computer age, but if you get stuck, email me.” 

On April 12, Barry wrote, “Retrieved the fox today. The finders were:  Bob, W1FDR; George, K1IG; and Eliot, W1MJ.” He adds, “Watch this spot for more fox hunt adventures!”