Fox Hunting on Amateur Radio!
What is Fox Hunting? We can assure you that no animals are harmed in the making of a good amateur radio fox hunt. It is a station hunting activity using radio direction finding techniques to locate a transmitter within a designated area. Some hunts may be in cars where participants attempt to find an operator within a regional area. Other hunts are within a park where participants attempt to find a radio transmitting a beacon located somewhere within the park grounds. Either way, it’s a chance to test or grow your skills and make new friends.
Simply bring a map and a handy talkie. If you have a Yagi antenna for direction finding, bring that too. Don’t have some or all of this equipment? Well, check with the organizers as they may be able to lend equipment and provide a ride, if needed. Tips for beginners may be found here.
If the event is listed here, anyone is welcome to participate.
4th Saturday of each month (May-Oct)
The next event is May 24, 2025 through the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club which invites you to join at 1:30pm at the North parking lot of the Community Rec Center. The hunting in vehicles begins at 2pm and runs for up to 2 hours. Don’t have an amateur radio license? That’s ok… you can still listen and hunt and perhaps even ride along with someone. The contact button will lead you to Jim Campbell (KB9RGU) who is ready to help get you involved in a fun event.
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3rd Saturday of each month
The Chicago FM Club offers some Saturday evening fun with their monthly (vehicle) fox hunts in the Addison area. You might even be featured in their Chicagoland Foxhunters Report. Rules may be found at their website. Reach out to Mike Brost (WA9FTS) using the contact button to get involved.
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Saturdays as scheduled (summer/fall)
Westmont
One of the first area Fox Hunts of the year will be hosted by the DuPage Amateur Radio Club on May 24 from 9am to Noon at Ty Warner Park. This is an on-foot beacon hunting opportunity during the warmer months - open to all. Knock off a few calories and enjoy some sun in the park while trying to find that pesky hidden radio. Take a selfie with the ‘fox’ to claim your ‘win’. More information is available from Ed Worst (K9EW) using the contact button to the left. Enjoy!
Sundays as scheduled (through October)
Crystal Lake, IL
The 415 (N9WH) keeps it fun with their Sunday morning fox hunts in the park. They see these as a fun, learning event done in pairs. Kids are welcome. They ran their first event in October, 2024 and expect to run more in 2025. To find out when these will occur, reach out to the club.
Summer dates as scheduled
Glenview
The North Shore Amateur Radio Club (NS9RC) offers Fox Hunt gatherings (hunting in the park) during the warmer months on selected weekday evenings. They provide refreshments (soft drinks, food, snacks) and operate from 7:00 - 8:30pm. Contact the club for future event details and to get involved.
Summer date as scheduled
Elmhurst
The York Radio Club enjoys vehicle-based Fox Hunt fun on a Friday evening each summer (annual event). The hunt occurs in the Elmhurst area using a low-powered fox. Contact the club for future event details and to get involved.