Foxhunting with the Handi-Finder!

Thanks to Eliot, W1MJ, I had the opportunity for another hunt this weekend. A great excuse to get outside and put my Handi-finder to the test!

This time the fox was in a conservation area adjacent to the typical hunting grounds for the W1MJ fox; easy to find the parking lot and lots of land to cover. I tuned up the frequency and could immediately hear the fox from the parking lot. I had brough my tape measure yagi and the Handi-finder, but had neglected to bring my offset attenuator. Without it, I figured the yagi would be of somewhat limited help. In the past while looking for the 4watt W1MJ fox, I found myself quickly overloaded by the signal.

I opted instead to put the Handi-finder through its paces. It functioned as described, though perhaps the null was less distinct that I’d imagined… It was clear enough to determine a basic direction to follow the trails in from the parking lot and within about 20 min I reached a patch of woods just up the hill from some wooden planking and got close enough that my handheld was getting almost full signal on the third harmonic with no antenna! I must have been within 10 ft. But I was unable to spot it! Next time, I’m determined to be more observant. Good time as always!