What is Transmitter Hunting? Summary

 T-Hunting, you say? What's that?

Transmitter Hunting (known as T-Hunting, Fox Hunting, Radio Direction Finding) is a popular activity among Amateur Radio operators where a transmitter is actually hidden somewhere and "hunted down" (found) using radio direction finding techniques!

The transmitter is usually on the air intermittently, and identifies either in Morse code or voice automatically.

Amateurs participating in transmitter hunts usually start at a common start point, and the fun begins!

When the transmitter is on the air, the hunters "take bearings" using directional antennas by determining the direction where the signal is the strongest.

This is done throughout the hunt until the transmitter is found!

First, to put a rumor to rest, you do not need expensive equipment for transmitter hunting! All you need are three things.

        1) A receiver that will listen to the frequency you would like.  You will need some sort of analog, LED or digital meter read out to inform you of the strongest signal direction.

        2) An attenuator to decrease the signal as you become closer to the transmitter.  This is so you can still receive a bearing on the meter.

         3) A directional antenna (Yagi, Quad, etc.) Should be tuned for the frequency you would like to hunt on.

*Note: It is possible to track down a transmitter with an omni antenna but can be very difficult.

All aspects of Amateur Radio should be enjoyable, and transmitter hunting sure is! On the other hand, there is a competitive part of Transmitter Hunting around the world. On Foot in or out of a Vehicle.

Our Group of “Southern California Transmitter Hunters”

The person who finds the transmitter with the least amount of mileage driven determines the “Winner” of a particular hunt.

The winner is then the person who hides the transmitter on the next hunt.

There is even a serious side of transmitter hunting!  Search & Rescue.

T-Hunters can use their skills to locate downed airplanes, boaters in distress, and sources of radio interference, unlicensed operators and jammers.

You can read more about our types of T-Hunts on this page.

“General Information”

For more in-depth look into our sport, please visit Joe Moell KØOV’s Homing In.