Last week at munchies Matt mentioned that he would like a challenging
hunt. Mike said he would like a hunt like when I hid by my house and he
was the only one to find me. I found this spot about 15 years ago. It's
outside the ACL boundary but unlike other likely spots, has not succumb
to sprawl. The farm house once on the hill is gone and no longer a
barrier to entry. We left home around 6:30 and found when arriving at
the no-U-turn sign about 12 squad cars parked at the entrance. I drove
on, Joanie located a Target to purchase a stopwatch, which time didn't
permit. We drove back north on 56 and nonchalantly pulled up into
the drive, right past the strobing squads and tow truck. It seems they
didn't even notice. We spent about 10 or 15 minutes hiking through the
brush to find the road, bridge and hide spot. The road down along 56,
next to the squads and then turn east into the woods. Again they didn't
take notice. I drove up on the berm along the creek, but turned around
at an impasse, parked in the farmers field an setup the 35 foot mast and
2x2 antenna array against a tree with just a minute to spare. The
repeater signal was full scale and I could hear John's call on the
input. I peaked the antenna on his signal with 4 of the usual hunters at the
start. Mike did not get a bearing on the first try but the second test
transmission was 100%, not bad for 5 watts. The hunt was on at 8:05. A
train horn in the distance caused a pack of coyotes to howl, which
seemed not so far away. An hour want by and we heard rustling and stick
crack on the other side of the creek, Hunters? We heard a big splash as
if someone threw a bolder into the water, and imagined Tom & Mike
with heart attack rolling down the 20 foot embankment, off the cliff and
into the water, but there was no yell. It must have been a deer,
flushed out by the hunters. 15 minutes later we saw flashlights in the
woods on the far side. Third transmission later John ran by us on the
berm to the car, then back again and then found us on the next
transmission. Tom walked up also. They had taken 88 to Orchard to
Geneva, some side roads and then waited on 56 for a transmission, Janet
spotted the drive. Very efficient hunting, being in the right spot at
the right time. The rest of the hunters threw in the towel around 9:45.
Don was on foot on a bike trail west of 56, as was Matt and Patty. Matt
has walked a long way on the trail south near the bridge. Mike was east
at the end of a lane into a farmers field. Munches were at IHOP, one
mile east of us. Jacob has 4 teeth now and has started to crawl.
WA9FTS, N9LXF Mike hunting with Paul driving
KC9SEM Matt driving with Patty operating the DF gear.
W9RA Don hunting and driving without gear.
Fox: AA9CC and KC9QQY Tony and Joanie
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report Oct 1st, 2011 by Tom N9CBA
Tom N9CBA and John WD9EXW hid in south of Taft Avenue just north of the fence the golf course. The location was west of Main street. The antenna was a mostly-vertical mag-mount atop the chain link fence.
Munch was at Alfie's Inn, Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, IL
1. Tony AA9CC and Joanie 2. Don W9RA 3. Paul N9LXF
Sept 2011 CFAR 2M Foxhunt
Sept 3rd, 2011
By Mike WA9FTS
The weatherman said it could rain heavily through the
evening so we decided to find a spot hiding in the van and be a drive-up. It
misted and that was all the rain we had. Paul N9LXF and Carol went along and we
tried a residential area called Briarwood which surrounded a small lake. The
location was between Algonquin Rd and I-90 and west of Rt 83. Only residents
and guest were allowed so we found a spot just west at the end of S Embers Ln
next to I-90. The hunt started at 8:05:50 PM with 3 hunt teams. The team of Tom
N9CBA, John WD9EXW and Janet. They took Rt 83 north and west on Algonquin Rd
and about 500 ft past Embers. They turned around and Janet, having a feeling
that she should turn down Embers, drove right to us for the win. Tony AA9CC and
Joan KC9QQY also took the same path and drove past. They got a reading and
thought we were on the south side of I-90. They soon found out this was not
true. Meanwhile, Don W9RA drove east on Oakton off Rt 83 and then quickly
turned around. He tried several streets and then on Embers to secure 2nd.
Several minutes later Tony and Joan arrived to end the hunt. We met at Lou
Malnoti’s on Higgins. Results:
1. Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW and Janet8:29:36
– 23 min, 46 sec
2. Don W9RA8:52:06
– 46 min, 16 sec
3. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY8:54:33
– 48 min, 43 sec
We hid in Lombard just off of Highland, in the jeep parked next to a
building, hidden out of the way. Signal was 5 watts to a 1/4 wave mag
mount stuck to the side of a lamp post up the hill. All hunters had a
direction at the start. We first spotted John walking along the edge of
the parking lot 10 feet above us. He then spotted us and asked if he had
to come down here to score. Well, for first place, I would think so.
Unfortunately for John, now climbing over the dumpster, Mike in the
mean time had scrambled down the hill and ran up to the jeep. John was just a
few feet farther away than Mike, who reached through the window to grab
the card. Matt scored from the hill and Don through in the towel,
sighting equipment failure. Munchies were at the Patio, just a few
blocks to the south. Don caught a 4 foot musky in MN the weekend before.
1 Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF
2 Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW & Janet
3 Matt KC9SEM, Patty & Jacob
DNF Don W9RA.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt July 2nd, 2011 by Mike WA9FTS
It was the start of a beautiful July 4th weekend.The temp wa cooling off from a high in the upper 90s and 4 hunters were ready to find Don W9RA. The initial signal was weak but to the SW. Three of the hunters took Rt 83 south and the FTS/LXF team tried north to North Ave and west to 355. But Don was not really far off and they took Addison to Butterfield Rd. Tony took Rt 83 all the way to Butterfield Rd. The Paul and Mike overshot and back to the road leading to I-88 West and then decided Don was on the other side of 88. Wrong move! In the mean time the three other hunt teams closed in on a building 400 ft east of Downers Dr to find Don next to a building using a vertical mounted on a metal electrical box. Shortly Paul and Mike arrived to end the hunt. We all met at Buona Beef down the street. We found out it was Tony's birthday and Joan, who was working till 8:30, arrive with a card and present - a Magellan GPS with a really big screen. Look to the web page for pix taken. Results: 1 - Tony AA9CC 2 - John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA 3 - Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 4 - Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report June 4th, 2011 by Tony AA9CC
I stopped at REI before the hunt to check out some Keen cycling sandals.
In the back parking lot I noticed a gate and decided to check it out.
It lead to a park with a pond, fountain and a ball field. Walking south
down the hill I found a boxed-in area about 10 meters wide with a 15
foot retaining wall topped by a 6 foot fence to the west, a concrete
parking garage to the south and a 7 story build to the east. There was
only access from the north. I set up the radio behind a pine tree next
to the retaining wall and the antenna was a dipole at 4 feet. Even though I
was below grade, I could make the Argonne (145.190) and Elgin (146.790)
repeaters with 5 watts. Coordinating with Joanie on the phone, who
worked late as was to meet at munchies, we found Giordanos
only a block west of the site. The signal was good both to the start
point, 3 miles to the north and into the repeater. Only 3 hunters showed
up that night, Charlie was in Rockford, obviously celebrating a new
lease on life and Mike was in Las Vegas. I lost count at transmission
number 10 and it was 45 minutes before Don walked up and scored first
place. Matt called in shortly after with a equipment operator error,
seems he had the sniffer set to peak and hold mode. John walked right by
during an extra transmission, jumped up to peak over the parking garage
wall and climbed over. He was followed by Tom who waked back and forth,
close enough for feedback through the hot microphone. On the third pass
he found me by walking along the retaining wall. Joanie ordered a deep
dish pizza before the hunt was over, as the wait was 45 minutes.
1 Don, W9RA 8:45
2 Tom, N9CBA and John, WD9EXW with Janet 8:55
DNF Matt, KC9SEM with Patty and little Jacob.
73, Tony AA9CC
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report May 7th, 2011 by Mike WA9FTS
The dire forecast for the evening did not materialize. The sky cleared up and it remained in the upper 40s throughout the hunt. Don W9RA announced that 5 hunt teams would participate. Paul
and I found a dead-end street in Berwyn just south of the BNSF tracks.
The road, called a Ct, was more like an alley. We found a driveway
between two buildings littered with trash. We parked the Caravan next to
one of the buildings and could not be seen from the court. The hunt
started at 8:06PM and about 15 min later gave Carol and call to meet us
at Famous Dave's. Tony AA9CC, without Joan, arrived and drove past us
to the end and then backed up and in to find us for the win. This
happened at 8:36 for a great time. Tony took St. Charles to I290 to
Cicero south to Cermak Rd west to Austin and south to 31st St. He then
drove west to 61st Ct and south to find us. Carol called and said Famous
Dave's was too busy to accommodate us. I suggested Chili's. Six minutes
later Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA drove in for 2nd. Charlie said
Chili's would also be too busy and recommended Portillo's at Roosevelt
and Des Plaines Rd. I called Carol and announce on CFAR the new munch
spot. Another six minutes past and John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA and Janet
arrive to take 3rd. About 5 min later a large noisy truck appeared
behind us but had lots of garbage to go over. Thirteen minutes later
Matt KC9SEM, Patty and Jacob drove in for 4th. Two minutes later Don
W9RA ended the hunt. Tony decided to go home to Joan but the rest of
us arrived at Portillo's without incident. Oreo snack boxes were given
out the the 2nd and 3rd place finishers. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC 2. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 3. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 4. Mat KC9SEM, Patty, Jacob 5. Don W9RA
Click here for the map showing the starting point, best route and hiding spot.
Looking down 61st Ct
Between two buildings
Can you see us?
Now you can!
Tony is 1st to find us
Charlie 2nd - caught by the flash
You're gonna make me work for 3rd?
Matt walks in for 4th
We gather at Portillo's
Patty, Janet & Jacob
Grandparents with Jacob
John, Paul, Mike & Carol
Tom holds Jacob
Charlie & Alexis
Carol, Janet & Jacob
CFAR May 2011 2M Foxhunt Starting point, best route and hiding spot. Click on it to see details
We planned to hide at Matt's and Pattie's house in Montgomery, figuring anyone with a newborn would be home, but no, they were out hunting and little Jacob became the youngest fox hunter to date, 6 days old! Of course if he was born 6 hours sooner he would have had the irrevocable title of being delivered during last weeks foxhunt. We decided in the interest of public sanctitude, not to erect a 30 foot pole in their driveway and left. We spotted some hills across the wetlands but with no obvious route and without a GPS we ran out of time trying to drive there and decided to find a water tower to illuminate electromagnetically from beneath. We did so by pointing the 10 element beam straight up from the base of the tower. With some check to repeaters I thought we would have an adequate signal, 25 miles at 60 degrees. Using the ARRL VHF propagation nomagraphs, the signal would have been 10 dB over noise using a 10 dB gain antenna at 30 feet and 25 watts over the distance. All the foxhunters heard the 5 watt signal, except for Mike who reported not hearing but won the hunt none the less. The signal was horizontal, but not strongly so. The winning route was 83 to North Avenue to 355 to 59 to Odgen... The slower route was Butterfield through Glenn Ellen. The signal was remarkable good, we made two receive sites, Lisle and Lake Zurich. I heard Mike at the start on the input with 5 watts and a quarter wave. I suggested humorously that the the ACL repeater be set up this way. Munches were at Fridays on Orchard in Aurora.
Results: April CFAR Foxhunt
1 9:20 Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF 2 9:20 Tom N9CBA and John WD9EXW with Janet and Betsy 3 9:30 Don W9RA 4 9:45 Matt KC9SEM with Pattie and Jacob.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report March 5th, 2011 by Tom N9CBA
Charlie KB9DIM who was the fox did not supply the foxhunt report. The following was submitted by Tom N9CBA who was one of the hunters.
Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis in car. Various roads were closed due to accidents, so that affected available routes. Munch was at Mother's Day restaurant on 22nd Street near 9th Ave.
1. Tony AA9CC 2. Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW, Janet 3. Matt KC9SEM, Adam, and Chad 4. Don W9RA
Here is where Charlie was located. It was a great spot.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report February 5th, 2011 by Mike WA9FTS
Don tried to convince the hunters he would not be in his car like he has in the past. We did not believe him. The hunters started out going south on Rt 83. Charlie KB9DIM made the right choice as he got off at 22nd and drive east to York Rd. Charlie scored quickly for the win as he found Don on top of a snow mountain in the middle of a shopping center. Tom N9CBA came in 2nd 5 min later with Tony AA9CC and Joan KC9QQY 3rd - another 5 min later. Paul N9LXF and I arrived and circled the mound of snow and finished 4th. Matt KC9SEM, John WD9EXW ended the hunt. We met at Jason¹s Deli a few hundered feet away. Results: 1. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA, Missy 2. Tom N9CBA 3. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 4. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 5. Matt KC9SEM, John WD9EXW, Patty, Janet
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report January 1, 2011 by Tony AA9CC
CFAR
Hunt, drive up. Mike hid here 18 years ago during a daytime fun hunt,
but Tom did not remember. No one drove in, though. Charlie called in
from a break in skiing at Lake Geneva. All had signal at start. Mike
gave up after the second transmission and went home. Don won the hunt by
walking in from the south. John found us 15 minutes later, he said it
was a a pity to use this spot for only 2 hunters. Access was from
Warrenville rd to the north. Signal was 5 watts to 5/8 mag mount on
roof. Dinner was at Omega Restaurant on Ogden in Downers Grove.
1 W9RA 9:00 2 N9CBA 9:15 DNF WA9FTS
Fox: AA9CC with KC9QQY
CFAR 2M Foxhunt December 3, 2010 by Mike WA9FTS
Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA were the fox for the last CFAR hunt of the year. I did not get info from Charlie but from Tom N9CBA. Tony AA9CC tied Tom for the overall hunt lead with a win. Don W9RA finished 2nd with Tom N9CBA in third. With some help, Paul N9LXF ended the hunt. Results:
1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. Don W9RA 3. Tom N9CBA 4. Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report November 6, 2010 by Tony AA9CC
I found this spot while lost, cycling from the Wheaton hamfest to the
jewelers in Elmhurst last summer, looking for the prairie path. Whats
not shown on the map is a drivable berm extending from Shady lane to the
apex of the arboreal triangle, parallel to the river. The northwest
bank of the east branch of the Du Page river is covered with the typical
long matted grass found around wetlands, which makes perfect
concealment for the fox and his equipment. I placed the 2x2 sniffer
array about 4 feet off the ground in a small tree and treaded 50 feet of
coax under the mat to a spot under a grass covered fallen tree trunk
that beavers had chewed down a few seasons ago. The array was fed out of
phase with the front null aligned toward the start point, at 72 degrees
and 4 miles distant. The rear null was pointing at the berm entrance at
Shady lane and transmitter power was set to low, 5 watts. I was waiting
for Charlie to call so I could null the antenna on his signal, but
after waiting 5 minutes or so I found that radio was 15 kHz off
frequency and the slight noise I heard was Charlie's sideband. The 5
hunt teams had a horizontal signal at the start, which is strange since
the antenna was set vertically. After the second transmission I found
the timer was not set to repeat mode and I had missed a transmission.
Tom and John were the first in the area, Tom following the tire tracks
in the fallen leaves along the berm, found the car and was mulling
around the grassy field yelling for John. John kicked the tree branch I
was under and walked by , stepping just a few feet from my head. Charlie
by this time had also found the car and had checked out the far apex,
where the fence meets the river. Both teams now had found the antenna,
but Tom was hesitant to pull the coax, which I had tapped firmly to a
log. Charlie was calling out "are you the fox, KB9DIM" at various places
in attempt to throw the other team off. Charlie saw the direction of
the coax and assumed correctly that it ran straight. After stepping on
my legs and torso about 7 times he tapped my on the shoulder. John
stepped on me a few moments later, saying this is too soft for a log.
Charlie gave the girls a tour of the site. A few transmissions later Don
sniffed me out of the grass and told me Mike had quit hunting. He
spotted flashlights and left before Matt and Patty and ?? showed up on
the far side of the river. They asked if the could score from that side,
since it was a .7 mile hike through untamed wilderness from rt 53 and
would take another 20 minutes to get around. I agreed and packed up. We
met after word at Alfies Inn on Roosevelt.
Tony Levand AA9CC
CFAR foxhunt results:
1 KB9DIM, N9VRA & Missy
2 N9CBA with WD9EXW & Janet
3 W9RA
4 KC9SEM and Patty
DNF WA9FTS with N9LXF
The foxes, Tom N9CBA and John WD9EXW hid in southern Wheaton along a drainage canal just north of a Chipotle. The vertical 3-element Yagi was 11 feet up among the upper branches of a small tree. The antenna was pointed toward the Elmhurst starting point. The transceiver was in the 5-watt position, so the signal was weak but adequate.
The release was at 7:40PM.
Munch was at the nearby Chipotle. Janet joined us.
1. Tony AA9CC and Joanie KC9QQY 8:30. 2. W9RA Don 8:45
CFAR 2M Foxhunt September 4th, 2010 by Joan KC9QQY
It was a crisp autumn evening, a great night for a fox hide. This was my first official hide (on
my own) and I decided to hide in familiar territory. Tony set up the
radio and antenna on the jeep and after a test run and actually
communicating with W9RA off I went. I left at 6pm in an effort to
confuse Tony and give all the hunters a fair chance. I chose a spot
in Downers Grove at Janes and 71st St. This spot was a few yards west
of 355 a location which might give some hunters trouble if they chose
the wrong side of the highway. The Westwood College parking lot was
bordered to the south by some vacant
land with some decorative landscaping, I parked the jeep behind a small
stand of pine trees which gave a little cover. The Hunters assembled at the
Elmhurst start point..... 1. Tony AA9CC 2. Don W9RA 3. Mike N9FTS - Paul N9LXF 4. Tom N9CBA - John WD9EXW 5. Charlie KB9DIM - Alexis N9VRA - Missy The
hunt started at 8pm with a test transmission, we had 100% on the
direction and I released the hounds. Tony had set the timer on the
watch for me so I believe my transmissions were
timely...........although I need to remember to stop transmitting after a
minute. The first signs of activity was approximately at 8:35
Tom(N9CBA) and John(WD9EXW) approached the hiding spot from the north
and proceeded to drive by....much to my amazement. After the next
transmission Tom and John returned driving in from the west catching a
glimpse of the jeeps reflectors in their headlights. They scored a
first place win at 8:40 pm. Mike(WA9FTS) and Paul(N9LXF) scored a close
second at 8:42 Tony(AA9CC) followed for third in quick succession after
spotting Mike and Pauls' vehicle in the parking lot. Charlie(KB9DIM)
Alexis(N9VRA) and Missy came in fourth after searching the other side of
the highway and Don(W9RA) concluded the hunt coming in approximately
9pm. We met for munchies at Max and Erma's on 75th and Woodward I think it was a good hunt for a girlie first hunt and I look forward to attempting to stump the pros on future hunts... now to win a few :)
The fox, Tom N9CBA, hid in a wooded area on a rise near the west end of a parking lot. The spot was a little south of Butterfield Rd, and about 1500 ft west of the Esplanade building.
Due to time constraints, the fox's car was in that parking lot rather than the usual bigger separation.
The 3-element Yagi antenna was horizontal about 20 ft up. The antenna pointed toward the Esplanade initially, although it may have shifted during the hunt.
The first hunters to drive up were Tony and Joanie. They located the car, and Tony went on foot pretty quickly. They scored efficiently and left.
Don pulled into the parking lot, and shortly after Matt and Patty pulled into the driveway to the south. Matt and Patty were actually closer to the fox at the start of the next transmission, but they were at a lower level. They climbed the retaining wall a little west of the fox, and found themselves in dense growth. Don scored using the easier path, and Matt dug through the brush to get to the open area. He then scored.
We munched at the Patio on Highland just north of Butterfield where we were joined by Charlie KB9DIM and Larry KA9KDC.
I had good intentions, I thought it's been awhile since someone hid
close by. I scouted the area earlier. Returned at 7 with gear &
Janet. Hiding only a short distance away, I wanted to be well
concealed. Had a roll of co-ax, and a ton of good spots.
Forgot the antenna! Janet left to get it. I scouted some more.
Antenna turned out to have a bad connector. Radio lost memorry, and I
couldn't remember how to turn on the tone. I elected to go simpler,
because I had trouble being heard. Went with Larson 1/4 wave 8' above
me and 5 watt HT. Lucky I was close, not sure what would have happened
had I been 10 miles further. Only had one hunter phone number - and he
had forgotten his phone!
Released at 8:10
I was along Salt Creek, west side. 1800' north of Eldridge Park,
and 150' behind the Waterford Banquet / hotel
Don got close, deciding a burger & coke
sounded good about then
Munched at Portillo's
CFAR 2M Foxhunt June 5th, 2010 by Tony AA9CC
After spending much of the day pulling the transmission from Joanie's
jeep and a failed attempt at constructing a collinear hide antenna, with
the pending threat of more downpours, we decided on a simple hunt. On
searching for a spot we were surprised to see 6 large turkeys walking on
a nearby road. An error on Google Maps shows Schaffner as a through
street, and not a foot path. Antenna was a 1/4 wave mag mount horizontal
on the tennis court fence driven with 5 watts. All 4 hunt teams had a
weak but discernible signal at the start. Joanie and I were both within
3 minutes of predicting the first place arrival time. We are
considering an unfair advantage, since the winning team are UPS drivers
familiar with Wheaton.
1 KC9SEM, Patty and Matt 8:44 (scanning electron microphone)
2 N9CBA with WD9EXW, Tom and John 8:52
3 W9RA, Don (Don hunts with no gear)
4 WA9FTS, with N9LXF Paul and Mike (Fouled up on the last mile)
Fox, AA9CC and KC9QQY Tony and Joanie
We got lost giving Mike and Paul a ride back to to the van in the twisty subdivisions to the north and then again driving to munchies at Three Dwarfs Inn (Is munchies term still valid, it seems so 70's) , passing Atten park several times. Joanie had a large Sunday and I waffles.
73 AA9CC
CFAR 2M Foxhunt May 1st, 2010 by Tom N9CBA
For the May 2010 CFAR Foxhunt, the fox, Tom N9CBA, was in a light woods
at 41.904603,-88.215591. The antenna was a vertical 3-element tape
measure yagi about 20 feet up. It was powered by a transceiver in the
25 watt setting. The fox was moderately well concealed by an olive
drab poncho. Fortunately the rain held off during the hunt.
Mike
and Paul were the first to drive up to the parking lot that was about
100 ft to the south. About 2 minutes later, Tony and Joanie pulled
up. Each went under the nearby power lines, and then, when the next
transmission started, headed into the correct wood. Tony quietly scored for the win.
After second place was in, Don pulled in to
the lot, followed 30 seconds later by Charlie. Don had been able to
get a bearing from the lot after arrival, but Charlie did not get
that. So Charlie also checked out the area under the power lines,
while Don went directly into the wood.
Munch
was at the nearby Steak 'n+Shake at North Avenue and Route 59.
1.
Tony AA9CC and Joanie KC9QQY 8:55 2. Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF 8:06 3.
Don W9RA 8:12 4. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA, and Missy. 8:19
CFAR 2M Foxhunt April 3rd, 2010 by Mike WA9FTS
Charlie
KB9DIM gave the hunters at the starting point a weak signal. He was running
low power to a tilted vertical antenna. It did, however, indicated he
was to the south of the starting point. Tom N9CBA would eventually won, took
83 to North east to 294 and south to 75th St. He then drove to Wolf and south
to 79th west to County Linr Rd and north across 55 to a frontage road and
down Tower Rd behind a large inducstrial building. He got out on foot
to see Don W9RA and Tony AA9CC. Charlie was behind a chainlink fence
with barbed wire on top in his car. The problem was to find the
opening in the fence that allowed Charlie to drive in. Tom found it
for the win with Tony and Don finishing in that order. Paul and I
took 83 to 55 and east to County Line Rd but drove by the frontage
road and looped around via Plainfield Rd, Wolf, 79th and then back to
County Line Rd. This time we drove in to the frontage rd and behind
the building to find the other hunters. I spotted Charlie in his car
but decided to quit and go home. The rest of the hunters went to
Portillo¹s. Results:
1. Tom N9CBA 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 3.
Don W9RA DNF Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt March 6th, 2010 by Tony AA9CC
Well it happened, after 51 and a half years it happened as I was
driving into the Harper parking lot at 6:55, wondering why I was the
only one hunting, looking at the date on my cell phone it dawned on me
that I was at the wrong start point, a senior moment. Calling Joanie as
I was leaving the lot and explaining the quick change in plans, I would
pick her up at my home Lemont and drive to the CFAR start point by
8:00. Arriving at Elmhurst at 7:55 all eyes on me, like a prey in a
wolf den, the hounds made it clear I was suppose to be hiding, oops.
After a 23 minute meandering drive we found this spot just a quarter
mile east of downtown LaGrange. Parked behind treatment pumps and the
beam pointed at the water tower. Charlie drove up surprisingly soon, in
23 minutes, Explained familiarity with the Ogdan overpass, but had
never ventured down here. He was thinking it was a good place to hide ,
until he found us there. Don was second, walking 10 feet with the beam
he saw the car from around the corner. Tom was having problems with the
signal and called in from 17th and 35 street. He found us at 9:30 and
we all met at at Aurelio's Pizza.We had some comments about the antenna on the car as we parked there.
Results:
1 Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA
2 Don W9RA
3 Tom N9CBA
Charlie KB9DIM was not sure if he had to go to work but at the lawst minute was able to hide. He had a strong signal for 3 of the 4 hunters since he was horizontally polarized. He was running about 5 wts to a 5/8 vertical attached to a chain link fence. We were the ones who did not hear since we were committed to vertical with our 4 el beam. So we followed Tom N9CBA north to North Av and east to I-290. We got off at Austin as we started to hear Charlie with a strong signal. We jogged over to Lake St and west to Ridgeland/ Tom stopped at a church and we parked by a 2 level parking lot by the Oak Park - River Forest school. We got caught up in the parking lot checking out every cranny. In the mean time Don W9RA and Tony AA9CC with Joan KC9QQY were heading down North Ave.Tony took Harlem Av north and some side streets to get to the area. Don took a side street just east of Oak Par Av north. Tom spotted Charlie first who was in an enclosed fence just north of the RR tracks and east of Scoville St. Tom slowely walked over to the gate that looked locked but was actually not. Tony got there and climbed over the fence and fell in a pile of branches. Getting up he dashed to Charile and beat out Tom by seconds for the win. Later Don arrived and found Charlie for third. I walked up the hill past Charlie and then down - twice on my back. Gaters do not provide good traction on ice. We ended the hunt and all went to Russell's in Elmwood Pk on Thatcher Av. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. Tom N9CBA 3. Don W9RA 4. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Jan 2nd, 2010 by Tom N9CBA
The foxes, Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW and Janet, hid in the car at n41 degrees 52.065' W88 degrees 7.263'. That is in Wheaton. The temperature was in the mid single digits F.
There was some bridge construction in the area, which complicated some routes. Two of the four teams scored on foot across the railroad tracks. Charlie scored in a very fast time, while the other teams were on the other side of tracks and under-construction bridges for a while.
We munched at the nearby Geno's East in the old firehouse in downtown Wheaton.
1. Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA 8:31 2. Tony AA9CC 8:40 3. Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LSX 8:42 (on foot) 4. Don W9RA (on foot)
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Dec 5, 2009 by Tony AA9CC
Hi,
If you were standing in this spot Saturday night, before being struck
by traffic, you would see a 30 foot antenna mast strapped to the
bikeway fence just a few feet this side of the box. The Route 83 bridge
connects the blacktopped Centennial Trail and I&M Canal Trails,
which run from Willow Springs to Romeoville. South of 135st street the
trail becomes crushed limestone and continues to La Salle-Peru,
Illinois. From there a 15 mile ride to Bureau Junction and the start of
the 105 mile long Hennepin canal trail which ends at the the
Mississippi river. When ever I rode across this bridge I would
contrive possible ways of making it a hiding spot. Yesterday, it was so
cold and windy on the bridge that we decided to park underneath and run
the coax 70 feet down to the car. I didn't seem so ominous in the
daylight, being familiar to the area.
The CFAR repeater was down for antenna upgrades, so the hunt was held
on 147.750 simplex. All hunters had a due south reading after hearing
the fox test transmissions on the input frequency. There was some
confusion because Mike had called earlier and wanted the hunt on the
output. New technology (cell phones) really makes coordination easier
than the old days of trying to make contact CFMC if the master is not
heard. I tuned the radio to 137.050, the LO frequency of the Vk
sniffers, which are now standard issue, and listened between
transmissions. To us the spot seemed straight forward, the antenna can
be seen hundreds of feet away, a right at the stop light south of the
main trestle and follow the service road, that looks like an entrance
to a junk yard, around and under the bridge. Well the junk yard decoy
kept any hunter from driving down and they all ended up parking north
in a pull off access for the bike trial, on the opposite side of the
Sanitary and Ship Canal. We heard some heterodyne and then a while
later, a full scale signal. Joanie spotted a flashlight above and a
felt a jiggle on the coax. Our first snag. It was Tom, who later said
it was instinct to go back to the woods across the bridge after
checking the antenna and search underneath the bridge for a dug in fox
den, was on his way back. The bike connector trail loops around
underneath to the east side of 83 and ends at a tee junction with the
I&M. With the canal water directly ahead it wasn't obvious that it
lead to the fox, so Charlie, who followed Tom by a half hour, returned
to east side, jumped the fence and slide down to the service road. The
two other hunters, Don and Mike with Paul eventually found there way to
us, each separated by a half hour or so. Me, Joanie, Tom, Mike and Paul
all squeezed into the Saturn for a ride back across. We dismantled the
setup and met at the new Portillos near Route 83 and 75th street. There
is now a three way tie again for Fox Hunter of the Year 2009 with 3
hunts left and one hide each for the contestants.
Results: December 5 2009
1 Tom N9CBA
2 Charlie KB9DIM and Lex N9VRA
3 Don W9RA
4 Mike WA9FTS with Paul N9LXF
On the November 2009 CFAR Foxhunt, the fox, Tom N9CBA, hid outdoors in brush. The antenna was a 3-element Yagi laid across bare limbs about 6 ft up and mostly horizontal. The transmitter was on the 25 watt setting. The location was near a high power tower south of North Avenue, west of Schmale, and east of Main Pl.
Tom's car was parked to the west of the starting point about 0.25 miles. Charlie parked there. Tony parked even farther west. They ran into each other and both traveled down the powerline right of way, toward the fox.
Tony took the west end of the vegetation that Tom was on the western part of, and Charlie went into the farther west. That area turned out to be marshy and heavy with brush. So Tony scored very efficiently. Charley battled the swamp and brush.
Mike and Paul came in from the north. That was unfortunate, because it lead them through the swamp (that the fox was unaware of when setting up the antenna). The swamp does not show up in the maps.
The munch was at the Culver's, within shouting distance just east of the hiding spot.
1. Tony AA9CC and Joanie KC9QQY 8:36
2. Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA
3. Don W9RA
4. Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF
CFAR Foxhunt Oct 3rd, 2009 info supplied by Mike WA9FTS
Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA got the hunters off with a good signal to the southwest. Paul and I took Rt 83 south to Roosevelt and west to Winfield Rd east to Plamondon Rd. We went east to a residential area next to the Seven Gables Park. Off on foot after seeing Tom N9CBA drive around in front of us. The chase was on!. Paul went off east and, after equipment problems headed west past the tennis court with a look inside. I then spotted Tom running for Charlie's car. I took off and got there 2 sec too late for 2nd. Tom had secured the win and the 11th overall win to take the lead for Hunter of the Year. A few minutes later Dn W9RA arrived and found Charlie to end the hunt. This broke a 3 way tie with Tony AA9CC and CharlieKB9DIM. We met at Chili's at Naperville Rd and Butterfield. Results:
1. Tom N9CBA 2. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 3. Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt Sept 5th, 2009 by Tom N9CBA
On the September 2009 CFAR Foxhunt, the fox, Tom N9CBA hid at the south edge of Van Voorst Park in Elmhurst (N41.878775 W87.927892). The antenna was a horizontal 3-element beam about 15 feet up, among tree leaves, pointing east. The antenna was at the fence line on the south edge of the park, and fairly near first base of the ball diamond. The transmitter was set to 5 watts. Don K9VGJ helped set up and served as a spotter. Charlie may have been helped by spotting the spotter driving the fox's car early, however. Even though the spot was fairly near the starting point, the fenced railroad line to the south of caused those to come in from the south some difficulty. There was a pedestrian underpass in line with South Poplar Avenue that one hunter found, but some others had to go around.
We munched at Fitz's Pub, joined by Don K9VGJ and Jo.
1. Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA 2. Tony AA9CC and Joanie 3. Don W9RA 4. Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF
Charlie KB9DIM gave us a booming good signal to start the hunt and we all headed south. Paul and I took Rt 83 and the others a faster route. We got in the area of Joliet Rd and I-294 on the west side of the toll booth. Since there was the Timber Trails golf course to the east across the tollway, he could not be there - WRONG. Tom N9CBA and Don W9RA checked it out to find the golf course was removed two years ago. Charlie was running 35 w to a 5/8 j-pole up 20 ft. We never made it to Charlie. We were then busy trying to find Tom who was totally exhausted and gave us the wrong location. Don drove him to Appleby's after the hunt. Results:
Due to time constraints we we crunched to hide. We put the radio and battery on the table, antenna in the tree, turned on the radio just as we were being called by the master of the hounds. Three hunters had no signal the first try, putting the antenna up another 8 feet and changing from low to mid power (35 watts) all heard. Don was first in the area but retreated back when first place being open was announced. Charlie and then Tom after some time found us on the picnic table. many restaurants were closed or closing on July 4th evening. Munched at Windys at Potter and Dempster.
Call Time Place W9RA 8:45 DNF KB9DIM 9:00 1 N9CBA 9:15 2
Fox AA9CC
CFAR Foxhunt June 6th, 2009
Info from Mike WA9FTS
Tom N9CBA found a spot in Wheaton south of Roosevelt Rd and east of Naperville Rd in a parking lot - it was a drive-up hunt. Tom used a 1/4 wave vertical on the roof of his SUB and running 25 w. Tony AA9CC arrived first for the win with Charlie KB9DIM securing 2nd. Third to find Tom was the team of Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LCF with Don W9RA ending the hunt. We met at the Seven Dwarfs restaurant and Larry KA9KDC joining us. Results: 1. AA9CC, Joan 8:38 2. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 8:47 3. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 4, Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt May 2nd, 2009
Info from Too=m N9CBA
A warm spring evening was the setting for the May 2009 CFAR foxhunt. The Fox, Charlie KB9DIM, along with his daughter Alexis N9VRA, chose a hiding spot in Hoffman Estates alongside the tollway.
Using a Yaesu FT-2800M radio feeding 8.5 Watts (measured using a Bird Model 43 Watt meter S/N 98885 into a Bird model 8085 50 Watt dummy load S/N 27401), to 25 feet of RG-214/U coax, connected to a vertically polarized M2 2M4 Yagi antenna mounted 8 feet up in a tree, pointed toward the starting point. The Starting point was 13.8 miles to the Southeast of the hiding spot.
The hunters were released shortly after 8:00pm CDT, with all hunters reporting having a heading.
35 minutes into the hunt, the first hunter was spotted driving into the parking lot of the school that was located near the Fox. Shortly thereafter, flashlights were seen as the hunter mad his way toward the Fox. Another hunter was heard searching the area near a small creek that was located just west of the Fox. First and Second place came in, within a few minutes of each other.
1st Tom N9CBA
2nd Don W9RA
DNF Mike WA9FTS & Paul N9LXF
We went to a nearby Max & Erma¹s restaurant, where we were joined by Bob WA8USR.
CFAR Foxhunt April 4th, 2009
Info from Tony AA9CC
We found a good spot, but the joke was on us as Charlie had used it
last summer on a hunt we didn't attend. The hunters had no problem
navigating the foot path where Rt 171 bridges the Des Plaines River,
except for Tom, who didn't find the way in the first time. We were on a
treed hill with a 32 foot mast and were level 1 at the start with 5
watts.
1 Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 8:47
2 Don W9RA 8:49
3 Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 9:15
4 Tom N9CBA DNF
Comments from Mike WA9FTS - Tony and Joan found a very good spot that required a lot of effort to figure out how to get there. Once there, the path through the woods was difficult and quite long - around a half km. This was a well-thought-out and run hunt.
Starting Pt-Don did not arrive yet.
Tom is ready - let's go!
Mike and Paul find Tony & Joan
Portillo's-Left - Right - Don, Tony, Joan, Tom & Paul
Portillo's-Left - Right - Paul, Alexis, Charlie & Mike
CFAR Foxhunt
March 7th, 2009
Info from Paul N9LXF
Paul N9LXF hid in a parking lot in an industrial area
off American Rd just east of Plum Grove Rd and south of Rt
58 in Schaumburg. The hunt started at 8:06 PM. Paul was
using a Comet 801 vertical attached to a dumpster. Tony
AA9CC guessed Paul was around WoodDale and found him in 18
min for the win. Don W9RA came in 2nd 21 min later. They
met at Portillo's west off Rt 58 for the munch.
Results:
1. Tony AA9CC 8:24 2. Don W9RA 8:45 3. Tom N9CBA
8:50 4. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 9:24
CFAR Foxhunt
Feb 7th, 2009
by Charlie KB9DIM
It was a warm evening, caused by a rare February warm
front. The fox Charlie KB9DIM chose a hiding spot along side
Harlem Avenue in the town of Argo. There was a hard to see,
access road that led back under an overpass that allows
Harlem Ave. traffic to go over a busy rail line. Using a
Yaesu FT-2800M mobile radio set on high power (65 Watts),
feeding an M2 2M4 4 element beam, that has a 7.5 dBd gain
rating, vertically polarized, and mounted 15 feet above the
ground. The antenna was fed with 50 feet of RG-8 coax.
With a distance of 11.6 miles from the starting point,
all the hunters reported hearing the signal. During the
hunt, there were a large number of trains moving in and out
of the rail yard that the fox was near, using tracks that
were 200 feet to the east of the hiding spot. These trains
could have affected any hunters that tried to approach from
the east.
At 8:50 pm the first hunters were spotted running
toward the fox, from the north. Knowing that other hunters
were in the area, the fox continued to provide
transmissions. Ten minutes after first place had finished, a
vehicle was spotted driving toward the fox, but it turned
out to be a Beltway Railroad police vehicle. The officer
informed the fox, that the access road was railroad property
and inquired what was happening. After being told that we
were conducting a foxhunt, he seemed to be satisfied, and
returned to his vehicle. But after a few minutes, he once
again came up to the fox and said that the railroad
supervisors, wanted the fox to leave. The fox pointed out
that there were no signs posted saying it was private
property, or that trespassing was not allowed, but this fell
on deaf ears. After packing the antenna up, the fox drove
out, and was spotted by a hunter right away. Relocating to
Argo High School, that was just across Harlem Ave. from the
original hiding spot the fox once again began providing
transmissions.
1st Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF 2nd Don W9RA DNF Tom
N9CBA
We retired to Portillo's / Barneli's at Archer and
Harlem Avenues, in Summit Illinois.
CFAR Foxhunt
Jan 3rd, 2009
by Mike WA9FTS
The info on the hunt was supplied by Tom N9CBA who
hid. Tom found a parking lot at the Danada Square shopping
center north of Butterfield Rd and east of Naperville Rd.
Most of the hunters overshit but recovered to find Tom.
Larry KA9KDC and xyl Carol joined the hunters at Red
Robin.
1. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan 3.
Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt
Dec 6th, 2008
by Charlie KB9DIM
Having a relaxing afternnon, I spent quite some time
usning Google Earth to locate a tough hiding spot. Having
found a suitable place to hide, I prepared the equipment.
Everything was on course for a good hunt; then the phone
rang. It was the station calling to tell me that the channel
48 transmitter had gone off the air. Dialing in to control
the transmitter remotely, I attempted to bring it back on.
Bit it wasn't to be that simple. So at 6:30 I hppped in the
car and drove to Sears Tower. Once in the scene, I was able
to get the transmitter back on the air. But now it was 7:30
PM and I still had to drive home to get my daughter with 15
minutes to get into a hiding spot. There was not possiblity
of using the location I had found earlier, so I had to come
up with some place quickly. I drove to a movie theater in
Hidgkins not too far from home. I cose a parking place in
the most crowded part of the parking lot just in time for
the hunt to start. After 35 minutes or so, Tom N9CBA's car
was spotted prowling the lot just to the south of us. We
lost sight of him as he moved through the lot. After two
more transmissions Tom came walking up to claim first place.
As he was standing next to us, Tony AA9CC was spotted off to
the north. Tom slunk away unnoticed by Tony and Tony was
able to find us for second place. Less than ten minutes
later Don W9RA drove in to the lot and was out on foot. As
soon as I began transmitting again, he was able to zero in
on the signal to claim thrid place. We retired to a nearby
Applebee's for dinner. Results:
1. Tom N9CBA 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan 3. Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt
Nov 1st, 2008
by Tom N9CBA
The November 2008 CFAR hunt had nice dry weather in
the 50s. The Foxes, Tom N9CBA and Don K9VGJ, hid in spot
that Don had scouted out. The area was between a retaining
wall and the I-88 fence in Oakbrook, adjacent to Costco.
The first antenna tried was very stealthy, but it did
not hit the repeater adequately. The antenna that was used
was a 5/8 mag-mount sticking mostly horizontally to the top
of a fence pole for that fence. The foxes located the
antenna, and then followed the coax to the nearby hedge,
that provided comfortable concealment.
The spot, being below the grade of the nearby parking
lot, did not give the foxes a view of nearby hunters, but
the teams did report checking out various spots north and
south of I-88.
We munched at Giordano's in Oakbrook Terrace, just
north of the hiding spot across 22nd street.
1. Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA 8:46
2. Tony AA9CC and Joanie 8:53
CFAR Foxhunt
October 4th, 2008
by Tony AA9CC & Joanie
Some of the guys at work play in the Dime a Dozen Band
and I had every ntention of having munchies at the
Cornerstone Piano Bar so our foxhunting group could meet and
talk with some of the nuclear physicists there, however a
revolt assumed amongst us due to the extreme volume of the
rock music playing and thus munchies where had down the road
at Buena Beef. Charlie got a cell phone call and quit at the
last minutes of the hunt to monitor channel 48 transmitter
problems. Tom congratulated us on a "very good spot" after
bush whacking a direct approach from our cars parked between
the buses behind the school, missing the easy path. Several
slightly unnerving animal noised were heard waiting in the
dark for the hunters to arrive. The hunt was offlate at
8:20. Peaking the antenna on Charlie's signal at the start
point helped some of the problem making the repeater and
start point simultaneously, but it seem part of Tom's
equipment was also at fault.
I found the spot on Google maps right behind them
piano bar. Mike, WA9FTS is still on strike. We assumed Don,
W9RA is still reeling from last week's hunt and the rest of
the old time regulars have just faded away. Hiding Spot:
41.740494,-87.970791
Results:
1 Tom N9CBA 9:15 DNF Charlie and Lex KB9DIM 9:20
CFAR Foxhunt
Sep 6th, 2008
by Tom N9CBA
The fox, Tom N9CBA hid at the southeast corner of the
Rt 50 (Cicero) bridge over the Cal Sag canal. That is just
south of Alsip. The antenna was a vertical 3-element yagi up
about 20 feet from the bridge walkway. The antenna was
somewhat camouflaged from the north by the bridge and south
by an adjacent street light pole. The transmitter was set
for 25 watts. The fox was just slightly down the steep slope
at the edge of the bridge, below the antenna Everybody
reported hearing the signal from 20.6 miles away.
The optimum route was to get on to the southbound
Tri-state tollway to the Cicero exit. That was the winning
Move of Tony and Joanie. The performances were all very
good, even for those who chose lest optimal routes.
Munch was at the nearby Uno Chicago Grill.
1. Tony AA9CC and Joanie 8:51
2. Mike WA9FTS and Paul 9:03
3. KB9DIM Charlie and Alexis 9:04
4. W9RA Don
Fox location:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=41.654976,-87.738254&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr
CFAR Foxhunt
Aug 2nd, 2008
by Charlie Fisher KB9DIM
After a day working on the family boat, the fox Charlie
KB9DIM decided to chose a hiding spot that would limit his
driving. Leaving his parents house in Buffalo Grove, the fox
drove east on Lake Cook Road, intending to find some spot
somewhere near the lake shore. On the way, traffic became
very heavy, with cars heading to Ravinia. To avoid the
traffic, the fox decided to drive south on Skokie Blvd.,
which took him past an abandoned parking lot, that was once
owned by ComEd.
The fencing surrounding the lot had openings in it, and
the gate was open.
Using 50 watts from a Yaesu mobile radio, into an M2 four
element beam vertically polarized. The fox chose a spot in
the bushes. During the test transmission, it was determined
that adjustments needed to be made to the antenna, so the
hunters could get a signal.
The hunt began at 8:09pm
Tom N9CBA was the first hunter into the area, in between
transmissions; he drove his car within a dozen feet of the
fox, and got out. He was able to find the antenna during the
next transmission, but had to follow the coax; which the fox
had laid out through the bushes, in order to score.
After scoring Tom hunted the beacon CW transmitter that
was operating on another frequency, for the heck of it.
Don W9RA came into the area very shortly after Tom had
scored, having looked over this site for his own use. He
too, found the antenna first, and had to follow the coax to
the fox, for second place.
A short time later, Mike WA9FTS was heard by the fox on
the other side of the fence, after driving around, and
coming into the lot, he found the fox, after spotting the
display on the fox's radio.
The group headed to a very nicely appointed Barnaby's
that was located 2/10 of a mile north of the fox on Skokie
Blvd.
CFAR Foxhunt
July 5th, 2008
by Mike WA9FTS
The July 4th weekend continued to be perfect. Three
hunters started out at the shopping center at Rt 83 and St.
Charles Rd in front of Sears Essentials store. Charlie
KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA took St. Charles west - Tom N9CBA
and Paul N9LXF and I took North Ave west. Charlie took the
better route as Don W9RA was just off St Charles Rd across
from Ackermann Park. Don was in his car by tennis courts
south of St. Charles Rd. Charlie went in for the win. Tom
and Paul and I headed into Ackermann Park and was fooled by
the reflection off the water tower to the east of the park.
Tom and Paul walked west to Eastern Ave and south to find
Don. I headed through weeds well over my head to the south.
After getting about 80% of the way to Don, I get a phone
call from Paul who told me he found Don - for 2nd. I pushed
my way back through the weeds again trying to follow the
path I previously took. We went to Portillo's on North Ave
by Bllomingdale Rd. Results:
1. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 2. Paul N9LXF, Mike
WA9FTS 3. Tom N9CBA
CFAR Foxhunt
June 7th 2008
by Charlie KB9DIM
The fox Alexis N9VRA with the guidance of Charlie KB9DIM,
chose a hiding spot on the west side of Chicago, very near
the border of Elmwood Park, 9 miles from the starting point.
The spot was located just south of West Grand Avenue, behind
a factory equipment supply company. To gain access to the
rear parking area, hunters would need to locate an un-named
road, just to the east, that ran along a railroad spur.
There was only one entrance to the area, without having to
climb fences. The fox first chose a spot near some parked
trucks, but discovered that a number of young feral cats had
made a home under the vehicles, and not wanting to upset or
hurt the locals, the fox chose a spot near a loading dock
door to park the car. This location was very visible for
anyone entering the area, so it was decided that it would be
best to hide outside the car.
Using a 5/8 2m mag mount antenna, fed by 15 feet of RG59
coax, and a Yaesu FT-2800M, running at its full power
setting. The hiding spot was alongside the building, which
had corrugated steel siding, near an inside corner of the
building (see attached Google Earth photo). The antenna was
attached at a height of about 7 feet, to the western side of
the building, and was horizontally polarized.
The fox N9VRA received the call from the hunt master at
the appointed time. Having taken the calls of the hunters, a
test transmission was made, and all hunters reported having
a signal. At the end of her transmission, N9VRA announced
that KB9DIM would be acting as her proxy, since she is not a
big fan of the bugs. N9VRA then retired to the car, where
she acted as the spotter for KB9DIM. The hunters were
released shortly after 8:00pm.
The horizontally polarized signal adjacent to two sides
of the building, provided the hunters with a number of
reflections. The first hunter into the immediate area, got
out of his car, and inspected the area near a water tower
that was on the property, while waiting for a signal from
the fox. When the fox began transmitting, the hunter turned
and walked straight to the fox, to win first place. It
remained quiet in the area for about 20 minutes until the
second hunter to enter the parking lot was sighted. The
reflections caused this hunter to closely inspect the water
tower as well. And after making a number of passes around
the lot, decided to leave and inspect the alley to the
west.During this lull, the third hunter into the area was
spotted, walking down the alley, unfortunately, there was a
high fence between the fox and him. The second hunter,
returned to the lot, and began looking all over the area,
inspecting the trucks that were home to the kittens. Shortly
after their return to the parking lot, they were joined by
the third hunter to be seen, having given up on the alley,
both teams began searching in earnest.
1st Don W9RA 8:48pm
2nd Tony AA9CC 9:21pm
3rd Tom N9CBA 9:26pm
DNF Mike WA9FTS
The foxes and the hunters retired to an Applebee's that
was located a very short distance away, on Grand Avenue.
CFAR Foxhunt
May 3rd, 2008
by Tom N9CBA
The fox, Tom N9CBA, hid near the southeast corner of Lake
Street and Villa Avenue (Wood Dale Road). This was just
north of a forest preserve area. The weather was cool but
nice. Some fallen trees contributed to concealment. The spot
was about 200 feet from Lake, the nearest road. The area had
moderate vegetation that was neither dense nor sparse.
The antenna was a vertical 3-element Yagi pointing toward
the starting point. The boom was clamped to a branch about
11 feet up. The radio was set for the 1.5 watt nominal
setting. Everybody reported hearing the test transaction,
and the release was at 8:04.
Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis KC9NPH were seen turning into
the Shell station on the north side of Lake at 8:14. Very
efficient. The score took some foot work and distinguishing
the soggy vs firm ground by flashlight was a little tricky.
The hunters scored fairly close to each other in time, but
did not spot others scoring.
1. Alexis KC9NPH and Charlie KB9DIM 8:44
2. Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF 8:49
3. Don W9RA 8:50
Munch was about 600 feet south west of the hiding
spot at the Sunmist restaurant where we were joined by Don
K9VGJ and Jo.
CFAR Foxhunt
April 5th, 2008
by Charile KB9DIM
It was a clear cool evening, and the fox, KB9DIM chose a
spot in a wooded area just north of the WGN-AM transmitter
site. The starting point for the hunt was the new location
at St. Charles and Route 83, which was 9 miles to the south
east.
The fox had originally planned to hide out of the car,
but his signal wasn't heard by a majority of the hunters, so
the fox hid in his car, using a mobile radio. One hunter,
Don W9RA, had misplaced his beam antenna, so he decided to
hunt unofficially. That left Tom N9CBA and Greg N9SA to hunt
the fox. After the hunt was started, the fox received a
phone call from Don, and he was given the clue that the fox
was located near 2 AM radio stations. With that little clue,
he set out to try and find the fox using a jury rigged
directional antenna on his HT. Having started from the
location he was searching for his lost beam antenna, he was
the first to find the fox, although unofficially. After the
hunt, the fox and the hunters went to Bennigan's in
Schaumburg IL.
1st Tom N9CBA
2nd Greg N9SA
CFAR Foxhunt
March 1st, 2008
by Tony AA9CC
Not allowing enough time, due to other priorities, I was
scrambling to hide at 7:30. The spot I had picked out on my
bike ride that morning was a walk up, so instead I chose the
spot that wasn't so good. Upon arriving at the Road Safety
company I ask two workers walking into a building if I could
park there for an hour, they said no problem. I kick a slow
hill way and was able to park behind some mobile traffic
sign trailers, thinking the hunters would drive in. The spot
was off the south frontage road along I55. Last year they
the removed much of the frontage roads in the area and
blocked them. They are still shown on the map though. The
entrance to the dead end was a mile to the west, which no
one found. They all walked in, 4 from the east around the
drainage pond and Greg from the west. I saw Tom drive along
the far side of the pond and left. Mike and Paul showed up a
minute later and parked. When I transmitted he left. Then
Charlie parked there and got out on foot. I figured he would
go back, since it was a far walk and not the most direct
route to me. 10 minutes later, he clamored over the snow
hill, 20 feet behind me and slipped and fell down. He got up
and fell again. I got out of the car to see if he was ok, he
was and out of breath, thinking Tom was about to drive up
and score. Mike and Paul were second, parking near Charlies
Jeep. When they got to me Mike was yelling and cussing at
Paul for driving away and Paul yelling back "it was only a
5" on the scale. They may have parked in a pattern null. I
asked them if they always yell at each other and yes they
do. Tom walked in for third and Don about the same time.
Greg finished the hunt around 9:50. Signal was strong at the
start with 50 watts to the foxhunting beams. Munchies were
found at Bakers Square in Bolingbrook. Don gave us an
interesting history on the M-16 and a show and tell with
casings, powder and shells.
Results:
1 KB9DIM and Alexis
2 WA9FTS and N9LXF
3 N9CBA
4 W9RA
5 N9SA
CFAR Foxhunt
Feb 2nd, 2008
by Mike WA9FTS
The weather was just below freezing with no wind. Five
hunters waited for the release which was at 8:15. Paul N9LXF
and I hid in my min-van at the end of a road that was, we
found out later, on airport property. To get to us, the
hunters neede to take River Rd to Balmoral and west and
south to a road that went west for several hundred feet;
then north for a quarter mile and a parking lot. There was a
gate that only allowed tankers to go through to get fueled
for the aircraft at O'Hare. We kept the heater on to keep
comfortable and wait for the hunters. Tony AA9CC arrived at
8:38 for the win - his third in a row(CFMC & 34 before).
Seven min later Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis arrive for 2nd.
Tom N9CBA was 4 min later for 3rd. Greg N9SA and Don W9RA
chose not to go in. A sign at a t-intersection was
interpreted in different ways. We met at Chili's on Mannheim
south of Touhy. Results:
1. Tony AA9CC
2. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis
3. Tom N9CBA
4. Greg N9SA
DNF Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt
Jan 5th, 2008
by Mike WA9FTS
Tom N9CBA had a very weak signal but enough for the 4
hunters to hear. Three hunters went north on Rt83 to North
Av and west. Paul and I went south to Roosevelt Rd and west.
Don W9RA overshot to St. Charles and had to recover. We went
past to Rt 59 and back on Geneva Rd and east on High Lake
Rd. We parked next to a building at the NW corner of High
Lake and Winfield. Tom came on and I got out and ran around
a brick structure to find him in his car for the win. We
drove off and about 4 min later Charile secured 2nd. Shortly
Don recovered from St. Charles for 3rd. It took a while but
Greg N9SA finally found Tom to end the hunt. We met at
Caliendo's a hundred feet away on the corner. Results:
1. Paul N9LXF, Mike WA9FTS
2. Charlie KB9DIM
3. Don W9RA
4. Greg N9SA
VK3YNG Hand-Held Sniffer
This is perfect for portable operation and covers the 2M frequencies and those for ELT hunting
