On Saturday, September 13, 2025, CARP hosted another fun and challenging transmitter hunt. The weather cooperated, giving us a comfortable late-summer morning to test our direction-finding skills and equipment.
Hunters gathered at the starting point in Letterman Park in Clovis at 10:00 a.m., where teams checked gear, compared antennas, and discussed strategy before the hunt officially began.
This month’s hunt was staged by Rob, AE6GE, who placed the hidden transmitter in a clever spot behind the Vons at Fowler and Ashlan. To make things even more interesting, the fox was operated old school style—Rob keyed up the mic and talked rather than letting a transmitter automatically beacon. This meant transmissions were not consistent, with varying lengths of audio and stretches of dead air. Combined with the fact that the transmitter was tucked in behind the building, the hunt became a little more difficult and forced hunters to work carefully with their bearings.
Three teams competed in the hunt:
- Team 1: Harvey, KM6YFD and Satbir, KO6JAS
- Team 2: Joerg, KN6YGA and Guy, KN6WET
- Team 3: Wyatt, KO6BZX
The hunt quickly turned into a contest of skill and persistence. Bearings led hunters across town, but reflections kept things tricky until the fox’s location was narrowed down.
- First to find: Team Joerg (KN6YGA & KN6WET) at 11:30 a.m.
- Second to find: Wyatt, KO6BZX at 11:58 a.m.
- Third to find: Team Harvey (KM6YFD & KO6JAS) at 12:00 p.m.
After the hunt, everyone regrouped to swap stories, compare equipment, and enjoy some fellowship. Events like these highlight the mix of technical skill and outdoor adventure that make amateur radio direction-finding so enjoyable.
A big thank you goes out to Rob, AE6GE for hiding the fox and running the transmitter, and to all who participated. Whether you found the transmitter quickly or learned something new for next time, we hope you had fun.
The next CARP transmitter hunt is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2025. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for another round of radio direction-finding fun!