First Annual PARS Fox Hunt

The Fox hunt on the fine morning of Saturday the 19th of September 2015 out of Oriental was a big success.  Participants/teams were Tony N4WAJ and Pete KA4SXX, Dick K4JJW and Gloria, Dodge KJ4CFE and Charlie AK4GD, Mike K4NLC (a MEU of one), Wally KK4ASP and Bill, Greg KM4DZM and Joy.  The event was to start at 10AM with the first-place winner the first to find and touch the vehicle carrying the fox transmitter. The hunt would continue even then until 11:30 to allow other hunters to locate the fox. Everyone participating was to return to Brantley’s for a noon, club-sponsored lunch.

The fox-mobile driven by Bill KR4LO left for the wilds just before 10AM while everyone scrambled to get their directional gear ready to hunt. Right at 10AM the fox transmitter sprung to life and the vehicles rolled from Brantley’s Restaurant in pursuit. A few of the participants had various rig malfunctions and had to stop shortly to effect repairs. Time passed as the signals came alive then went silent and the trackers stopped to get new bearings.  The teams ended up south of town and separated by water from the wily fox. When the 11:30 deadline passed with no winner, the hunt was extended and Mike K4NLC located the fox at 11:34, then Wally KK4ASP and Bill found it 9 minutes later at 11:43, Pete KA4SXX and Tony N4WAJ tapped it at 11:49 and finally Charlie AK4GD and Dodge KJ4CFE counted coup at 11:52.

Everyone sprinted back to the start and enjoyed a leisurely lunch and great fellowship before parting for home.

The event from inception to antenna build and two practice sessions culminated in a fantastic hunt and the anticipation of this being a regular event. Thanks go to Bill KR4LO and Randy K4WRD for pushing this event through planning, building, testing, and completion. Thanks to Katie O. for assisting the event in registration.  Thanks also to the members of PARS for funding the grand prize and the luncheon and the club member creating and providing the certificates.  Thank you, Wally, for bringing humor and good fun to the event while showing how your hard work in the hobby paid off. Good show! And thanks to Brantley’s Village Restaurant for hosting the group. Super job folks!

 

Mouse over pictures and clink to enlarge:

Brantley's Restaurant fox hunt starting point with participants waiting for the start.

Brantley’s Restaurant fox hunt starting point with participants ready for the hunt to begin.

The fox-mobile just prior to the start of the hunt.

The fox-mobile just prior to the start of the hunt.

 

Wally KK4ASP registers with her team-mate husband, Bill (not pictured).

Wally KK4ASP registers for herself and her team-mate husband, Bill (not pictured) with Katie O. the registrar.

Mistress of the hunt, Wally KK4ASP, the only participant to arrive in proper attire. Talley-ho!

Mistress of the hunt, Wally KK4ASP, the only participant to arrive in proper attire. Tally-ho!

Mike KK4NLC who found the fox first is congratulated by club president Bill KR4LO

Mike KK4NLC who found the fox first is congratulated by club president Bill KR4LO

Wally KK4ASP and club president Bill KR4LO discuss adopting proper hunt attire for the next hunt.

Wally KK4ASP and club president Bill KR4LO discuss adopting proper hunt attire for the next hunt.

Pete K. from Newbern on left with third place. Mike KK4NLC in center with first place. Wally KK4ASP on right with second place. Congratulations!

Tony N4WAJ and Pete KA4SXX on left teamed up for third place. Mike KK4NLC in center with first place. Wally KK4ASP and team-mate Bill on right with second place. Congratulations!

Close up of the winners and their hard-earned certificates.

Close up of the winners and their hard-earned certificates.

The first prize, a brand-new Yaesu hand-held ham radio.

The first prize, a brand-new Yaesu hand-held ham radio.

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