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Example Rules:

Example Fox Hunt Rules

This page contains example hunt rules from days gone by. They are not intended to represent current rules of any club. They are just examples we have collected for your information. The flavor of your hunt is contained in the published rules. Some clubs have two sets of rules; a standard set for all hunts and a specialized set for a specific hunt.   You will find that the success of your hunt depends on how well everyone understands your rules -- what you say and what you don't say.

Grand Rapids Amateur Radio Association

General Rules and Guidelines for GRARA Fox Hunts

Frequency: Primary is 145.530 mhz and Backup is 146.580 mhz.
Power may decrease as the hunt progresses at the discretion of the fox.  


Everyone is welcome!

GRARA Fox Hunts are open to all amateur radio operators in the community who what to have fun and follow the rules. Attention to safety is the most important rule.  Be sure you are in a safe location before taking bearings to the fox.  All hunt teams should be two and four members.  At least one member in each team must hold a valid amateur radio license.  The purpose of each exercise is to find the hidden transmitter (the Fox) with the least number of traveled miles and within the allocated time specified for the hunt. This criteria may be changed if specifically called-out in the hunt rules for the specific hunt.  Starting odometer readings will be taken before the hunt begins.  If an odometer doesn't have a tenths of a mile reading, both the mileage and trip mileage should be recorded.

At the specified starting time, the fox will begin transmitting for a period of 1 minute. All hunters are expected to measure and plot their initial bearing during this 1 minute period.   After that time, the fox will transmit in 60 second segments every 5 minutes or at the request of individual hunters.  Multiple requests will be handled on a roundtable manner.  Both the hunter and fox will transmit on the same frequency.  Hunters should use short and concise transmitting protocol to avoid being confused with the fox transmissions.  After plotting three bearings to the fox, all hunters should have a fairly well defined search target. 

The fox will be located within ten air miles of the starting point of the hunt.  He will also be located in plain sight in a public area within 100 feet of a public parking spot.  The fox may tease hunters by providing hints to his location.  However, these hints should be given in a manner that all hunters will hear and understand equally.  Poetry will be politely tolerated. The fox should attempt to make a written log of hints provided. 

Advanced equipment such a Doppler antenna or any computer assisted equipment is not allowed.

Specific Rules for

The 'My Moneys All Gone II' Fox Hunt
( The Sequel )

Saturday, July 26th, 2008, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Special Rules:

  • Starting Time: Saturday, July 26th, 2008. Arrive by 10:45 am, Hunt starts at 11:00 am ready or not! The hunt will be over at 1:00 pm unless the time is changed by The Fox. Odometer readings are a must. If no tenths of a mile on the odometer, record the trip and regular mileage.
  • Starting Point:  The meeting location and starting point will be the "W8DC Radio Room" located at the Red Cross, 1050 Fuller Avenue in Grand Rapids. Look for official starter, WD8CAN, in the Red Cross parking lot.  [burgundy van]  Jim will be making sure everyone has a ride and will also be recording vehicle Odometer readings. If your odometer doesn't have a tenth of a mile digit, we recommend you also record your trip mileage reading with Jim. Remember the winner is the team who finds the fox within the two hour time and who also has traveled the least number of miles.
  • Frequencies: 145.530 mhz Primary, 146.580 mhz Alternate. Power may vary.
  • You will need: Ht or portable 2-meter transceiver with a normal mobile antenna, direction finding antenna, Kent County map, pen/pencils, COMPASS, ruler or PROTRACTOR, watch.
  • Boundaries: The fox will be within 10 miles of the starting point and within the following boundaries.  Boundary streets are 10 Mile Rd on the north, Division on the west, Egypt Valley on the east and Coldbrook on the south.  (Note Coldbrook is just south of Leonard  -- like Coldbrook and Fuller by Red Cross)
  • Transmission Sequence: At 11:00 am, the fox will begin transmitting for a period of 1 minute. All hunters are expected to measure and plot their initial bearing during this 1 minute period. After that time, the fox will transmit in 60 second segments every 5 minutes or at the request of individual hunters.  Multiple requests will be handled on a round-robin manner.

    Both the hunter and fox will transmit on the same frequency. Hunters should use short and concise transmitting protocol to avoid being confused with the fox transmissions. After plotting three bearings to the fox, all hunters should have a fairly well defined search target.

    The fox will be located within ten air miles of the starting point of the hunt. He will also be located in plain sight in a public area within 100 feet of a public parking spot. The fox may tease hunters by providing hints to his location. However, these hints should be given in a manner that all hunters will hear and understand equally. Poetry will be politely tolerated. The fox should attempt to make a written log of hints provided.
  • The Winner: The team that locates the fox within the time limit, while driving the shortest number of miles be the winner. What do you win, you ask? Just the undying respect and admiration of your peers and the first option to be fox for our next hunt. Each member of the winning team will also receive a certificate acknowledging their accomplishment.
  • The Loser: For the purposes of this hunt, the team that locates the fox within the time limit, while driving the greatest number of miles be The Loser. According to our Foxes, the losing team will win a can of gas.
  • After the hunt: The last official clue from the Foxes  will be the name of a local fast food establishment which will be designated as the final water hole for post hunt drinks, bragging and strategy for the next hunt.
  • A word from The Fox:    Watch for clues between now and July 26th.  We will be e-mailing the clues to you, so be sure to sign-up on the appropriate page (see link below) and please be sure to give us an email address on the sign-up form.  We will also give out a list of all clues on the day of the fox hunt at the starting point 1/2 hour before the hunt begins.  (....for the people are clueless. )  :-)

Riddle Solutions.....

Starting Location:
The meeting location and starting point will be the "W8DC Radio Room" at the Red Cross Building, 1050 Fuller Ave. NE
Look for official starter, WD8CAN, in his burgundy van. Jim will be making sure everyone has a ride and will also be recording vehicle Odometer readings. If your odometer doesn't have a tenth of a mile digit, we recommend you also record your trip mileage reading with the starter. Remember the winner is the team who finds the fox within the two hour time and who also has traveled the least number of miles.
Search Area Boundary:
South Boundary:  Coldbrook St. N.E. (just south of Leonard St.)
North Boundary:  10 Mile Road
West Boundary:  Division Avenue
East Boundary:  Egypt Valley Avenue N.E.
Frequencies:
Talk-In:  W8DC Repeater 147.260 MHz +600 KHz,  94.8 PL
Primary Search Frequency:  145.530 mhz
Backup Search Frequency:  146.580 mhz