2021-03-19 to 21 Amateur Radio Transmitter Finding Event - Ottawa

Amateur Radio Transmitter Finding Event - Ottawa

Event Write-up and Fox Fotos

To be posted later ...

Mobile transmitter finding event

This will be a mobile only event with no walking (portable) portion. We are excited to be able to offer this activity to encourage everyone to get out for some fresh air and look forward to your participation and some discussion about your strategy and success.

Updates and details will be posted here.

Who can participate

Any member of any local Amateur Radio club. Because the participants do NOT need to transmit, anyone with appropriate receiving equipment can participate, whether they are a licensed amateur or not.

What to listen for

The fox will be transmitting on 147.57 MHz @ 0.5 watt. It will transmit a warble tone followed by a Morse code identifier for 15 seconds, followed by 15 seconds off (no carrier) before it repeats the cycle. Be sure to turn your squelch all the way down so you can hear the fox at the edge of its range.

Registration not required

Since there will be no social gathering, you don’t have to register or check in. However, we would really appreciate if you would send us an email to let us know that you are participating and to get some sense of the level of interest. Send email to Roger at va3egy@gmail.com with the Subject set to "March Transmitter Hunt"

What you will need

You will need a directional antenna and (ideally) an offset attenuator so the strong signal will not de-sense your receiver. Hint: Try taking two or more bearings from different points in the city. Draw direction lines on a map to identify the point of intersection. It should be close to the fox.

Safety First!!

If you are in a vehicle, please take care to park it in a safe place before you use your radio gear to get a bearing.

Report your findings

Please let us know when you think you have found the fox by emailing the closest street intersection or civic address to va3egy@gmail.com with the Subject set to "March Transmitter Hunt". Roger will confirm whether you are correct (or not) each evening after 6:00 PM so you can head out again if your answer is not correct.

We would also appreciate if you would let us know:

• what equipment you used
• your strategy as well as challenges you faced and hopefully how you overcame any challenges
• how much time it took and how many kilometers you drove.

If you want to participate but don’t have appropriate equipment, we have a few portable Sniffers and antennas available to borrow for the weekend if you are a member of either OARC or OVMRC. Send email to to va3egy@gmail.com with the Subject set to "Borrow Fox Hunt Sniffer and Antenna". Include your Name, Callsign, which club you are a member of and your phone number.

If you can't attend ...

We plan to do one event a month thru September 2021.