Fox Hunt on 10-11-03

By Peter Rock KJ4ND

One of the Hounds

Just before the fox hunt started I went to the old Wal-mart area. Eddie K4XXX met me there, and Stan KD4ERF, and a friend of his arrived soon after. I got my small 2 meter yagi and wooden pole ready for the fox.

       The fox came on, on time at 10 AM, although it was very faint, and could just barely be heard toward the south or southeast. Since it was so faint I could not be more sure. I tried the other antenna just to compare, and could not hear it at all.
       Rodney KG4LKY and Jessica KG4KBW checked in on the 147.280 repeater, and where on route, and we decided to head south along 25 to the Lily, or Corbin area. The signal could not be heard mobile for several miles, but could eventually be heard faintly, then gradually louder as we neared the Corbin area.

We decide to try to the left when we arrived at 25E. We stopped near Mr. Gatti's to get a reading with the antenna at N36 57.550 W084 04.423. It indicated to the southeast .We turned right, past the shopping center, and turned to the left. We went about 1 mile and got another reading, which was to the south.


We took another small road over railroad tracks, and went several miles along a winding road. I think we went past a small church (Liberty Baptist ?) . Soon after, the signal got very loud and full scale on the meter.
       Here is an addendum on the roads we traveled , if anyone is interested . The route we traveled was starting at the Quality (old Walmart ) parking lot , taking 192 bypass east to 25 south, to 25E, East, to 312 , then south 0.5 mile., turning left onto 1232 (east) about 2.6 miles to 3436 . Then south on 3436 about 4.3 miles . That will get you to the spot we ended up . And if you are looking at a map, that is where the power lines cross that road .
       We stopped there, and hunted around at N36 54.014 W084 03.179. It was so strong that we could get up to 2 bars on an HT with the antenna off (in some spots.). We spent a lot of time trying to find it there, since every time previously, when it was that strong, we would find it with in a few minutes, and within 100 feet.
       There were reflections everywhere, and the source direction could not be pinned down. We eventually had to give up at N34 54.010 W084 03.177.

       The fox was too wily this time. But we will get him the next time.
       73's Peter