Michigan Fox Hunter Fox Hunt Rules:
Standard Rules for a Basic Level
2-Meter Fox Hunt
Last Revised: 07/07/2010
These Standard Rules for a Basic Level 2-Meter Fox Hunt serve as the beginning rule structure for all fox hunts conducted under the MichiganFoxHunter.com rules. In planning an individual fox hunt, the Hunt facilitator or Fox may amend these rules to fit the particular flavor of the hunt. However, all deviations from these rules should be documented in writing, and distributed to each hunting team. Posting on the host club's website is also recommended. Substantial deviations from these rules are not anticipated. Substantial changes would suggest changing the type of fox hunt from Basic to another level.
Participation:
All hunters, or those interested in learning more about hidden transmitter hunting are invited to participate in MichiganFoxHunter.com fox hunts. You don't need to be a ham or a member of any club to participate. Hunts are free and open to anyone who wants to participate or just ride along to have fun and maybe learn a bit.
However, teams who win a fox hunt are designated the fox team for the next hunt. Should a team without a licensed ham operator win a hunt and wish to serve as the fox team for next hunt, they must be assisted by a licensed ham radio control operator.
Determination of the winner:
The winner of basic level foxhunt is the team who finds the fox within the specified hunt time and who has traveled the shortest distance as determined by their automobile odometer and trip meter. In the case of a tie, the hunter who found the fox first will be the winner.
Hunt specific information:
Some information will normally be hunt-specific. This information includes:
- The hunt date and time
- The planned duration of the hunt
- The starting location of the hunt
- The name and call sign of the fox
- The name and call sign of hunt facilitator
- The name and location of the fast-food establishment
for the post-hunt gathering. - Any exceptions to the MichiganFoxHunter.com rules
This information should be provided by the fox or hunt facilitator in hunt publicity and in the hunt rule adjustment instructions issued to the hunters.
Responsibilities of the hunt facilitator.
The hunt facilitator wears several hats. He is the project leader for the hunt, he is the official starter, and he is the official communicator with the fox if something goes wrong. If the hunt facilitator is a member of a team that wishes to win the hunt, he does not know the foxes location. The hunt facilitator is also responsible for helping the fox prepare for the hunt.
As project leader for the hunt, the hunt facilitator may delegate some of his responsibilities as may be necessary for a particular hunt. Some groups have found that this provides for a smoother hunt and allows the hunt facilitator to participate in the hunt, or to even act as the fox. Two of the delegated responsibilities may be as described below:
- The hunt communicator. A dedicated communicator at a fixed location can add significantly to smooth operation of a hunt. This operator is always at a different location from the fox location. The communicator should use another frequency other than the hunt frequency, either simplex or on a repeater, and sufficient power to communicate effectively. The communicator may transmit on the fox frequency when bulletins to all hunters are necessary.
- The hunt official starter. The hunt starter will record the names of each team member, their call sign (where applicable), and both the odometer reading and trip meter readings of each vehicle. The starter often forwards this information to the hunt communicator or to the fox.
Selection and responsibilities of the Fox
The fox is generally a ham radio operator(s) from the winning team at the last hunt. The fox is responsible for selecting a location for the hidden transmitter, planning equipment details and operational parameters. The fox is also responsible for maintaining communications with the hunt facilitator during a fox hunt. (This may be a repeater, cell phone or pager. ) The fox also works with the hunt facilitator to document hunt-specific details and any rule amendments that are necessary.
Selection of the Fox Hiding Location:
- The fox shall pick a hiding location which is in a publically accessible area with no charge for admission or passage. The hiding location shall be in such a place that normal activities of the fox site would not violate the privacy of nearby residents and would not unnecessarily disrupt the operation of nearby businesses.
- The antenna and transmitter shall be within 250 feet of standard passenger car access. Reasonable care must be taken by the fox to ensure that hunters on foot can safely reach the hidden transmitter.
- The default fox configuration is a radio operator sitting in the comfort of his automobile or truck talking on a mobile transceiver or a hand held transceiver (HT). Should the fox choose to operate form another location or setup, he must specify information on how he can be reasonably be identified. If the fox chooses to operate a remotely controlled "fox box" type of transmitter, he must make that know to the hunters.
- Examples:
Allowed:
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Not Allowed:
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Fox Transmissions:
- Transmissions will be on 145.530 Mhz. The backup frequency will be 145.580 Mhz.
- The signal must be copy able at the starting point.
- The fox shall transmit in a 4-minute cycle. This cycle shall consist of a one (1) minute of transmission followed by four (3) minutes of no transmission.
- Throughout each transmission, the fox shall continuously modulate his signal with voice (at a normal communication level) or by electrical means from a voice recorder or with computer-generated tones. The type of audio modulation shall be frequency modulation (FM) and must remain the same except for call sign identification. Peak deviation shall be not less than 2.0 nor more than 4.5 kHz. (i.e. normal communication level again.)
- The fox may transmit on the hunt communicator's frequency, but only for a few seconds at a time to assure that hunters cannot home-in on the signal.
Fox Equipment Requirements:
- The foxes transmitter output shall be capable of being heard at the hunt starting point with normal hand-held transceivers (HTs).
- The fox may use an antenna of any type and polarization as long as the antenna stays in a fixed location and single, fixed position throughout the hunt.
Hunter equipment Restrictions:
Advanced equipment such a Doppler antenna or any computer assisted receiving equipment is not allowed. The use of outside assistance, such as getting bearings from operators at other locations is not permitted. However, the use of GPS devices and laptop computers for determining location and for the plotting of bearings IS allowed.
Weather Safety:
In case of bad weather (except for a thunder storm) the hunt shall be held, but the fox shall take extra care to ensure the safety of hunters by transmitting from a safe location and planning for shelter at the end point if necessary.
In the case of a storm with visible lightning, the hunt shall be suspended immediately. Hunters will be warned of the danger so that they can secure their antennas. The hunt may continue when the storm has passed at the discression of the fox.
Disqualification:
Prohibited practices as follows may cause disqualification at the discretion of the hunt facilitator or the fox:
- Use of outside assistance, such as bearings from operators at other locations.
- Resetting the car's trip meter during the hunt.