FOX HUNTNG IN TORONTO  - April 23, 2023

FOX HUNTING IN TORONTO
By Jerry Proc VE3FAB

The Skywide ARC of Etobicoke (Toronto)  held its inaugural Fox hunt on Sunday April 23rd, 2023 at Marie Curtis and Lakeshore Parks in Etobicoke.

Three radio Foxes were deployed in the two parks  with varying power levels and varying  levels of difficulty. The Foxes were  spaced 20 KHz apart on  147.4125,  147.43125, and 147.450 MHz.  In use were the Byonics Micro-Fox 15mW and Byonics Micro-Fox 700mW Foxes.

If one of the Foxes was found by all the participants, it was then moved to a new location and re-introduced into the hunt. An event captain was available on the 147.400 MHz simplex frequency to provide clues if necessary. The participants used both commercial and homebrew VHF antennas to track down the Foxes. Each Fox hunter was awarded a virtual club trophy.

Gary VA3GDZ, reports that “ Those of us wandering around all over the place were kept warm enough, but were greeted with many strange looks by the hikers, bikers and dog walkers who saw us in the park.  A couple stopped to ask what the heck we were doing and what were those things we were lugging around.  I told them we were practicing in finding the next downed Chinese weather balloon. Hi Hi.”

A couple of the spots for the hidden 'Foxes' were a bit challenging. For example, one participant had a really strong signal but found out the hard way  that he  was on the wrong side of  a fence.

The winners of the Fox hunt were as follows:

1st - Mark VA3HES
2nd - Gary VA3GDZ
3rd - Andrew VE3GTU
4th - Andrew VE3YTP
5th - Roger - VA3HPR
6th - Jason - VA3PLJ

Participation - Joao VE3AXW
Participation - Scouts
Also in attendance were Robert VE3VAJ, Matt VA3SNM and Uwe VE3TGL

The club extends its thanks to Tom Stefanac VA3VWX , Ian Penney VE3INP and  Ron VA3RSX for braving the cold by Lake Ontario and all of their efforts to organize and run the Fox hunt event. Would also  like to thank Ken VA3KEX for the food delivery and Andrew ,  VE3YTP for providing one of the Foxes.
 
 

Tom Stefanac, VA3VWX (L) and  Carlos,- VA3CRL (R) manning the  base camp. (Photo by Gary VA3GDZ)

Roger VE3HPR, is starting his search for the Fox.  (Photo by Tom Stefanac VA3VWX )

Additional details and photos about the Fox hunt can be found at: https://www.skywide.ca/fox-hunting/
 

May 10/23