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 (find sources of station interference, search & rescue, etc.) and make new friends.
Simply bring a map, a handy talkie, and a Yagi antenna for direction finding. A compus and attenuator can be helpful too. If you do not have some or all of this equipment, check with the organizers since they may be able to lend equipment or offer a ride-along. Tips for beginners may be found here and here.
If the event is listed here, anyone is welcome to participate.
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.
Saturdays as scheduled (summer/fall)
Westmont, IL
The DuPage Amateur Radio Club hosts fox hunts from 9am to Noon in Ty Warner Park a few Saturdays each year. These are on-foot beacon hunting opportunities 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’. The first event of 2026 took place on April 18 with another on May 23. More information is available from Ed Worst (K9EW) using the contact button to the left. Enjoy!
Sundays as scheduled
Elburn, IL
The Fox River Radio League is getting back to the fun of fox hunts in 2026. Their first event on May 24 at Johnson’s Mount Forest Preserve in Elburn IL (tentatively starting at Noon) will, hopefully, lead to more events thereafter. Participants hunt in their vehicles for the beacon and may find more challenges once it’s found. More information is available from John Greusel (KC9OJV) using the contact button to the left. Have fun!
Crystal Lake, IL
Sundays as scheduled (through October)
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 continued in 2025. To find out when these will occur, reach out to the club.
Glenview, IL
Summer dates as scheduled
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.
Elmhurst, IL
3rd Friday in August
The York Radio Club enjoys vehicle-based Fox Hunt fun at their annual event each August. Their 4th Annual Fox Hunt was on Friday, August 15, 2025. The annual hunt occurs in the Elmhurst area using a low-powered fox. Contact the club for future event details and to get involved.