24 May 2017 - Direction Finding Contest - Fox: GM3HAM/P operated by Peter Dick GM4DTH

Details: Written by Alan GM3PSP; Published: 26 May 2017; Hits: 2292

L-R: Alasdair GM6ZQQ, Melvyn GM4HYR (winner), Mike Jr MM3MDB, Mike Sr GM8KCS

The annual LRS Direction-Finding Contest (D/F Hunt) took place on Wednesday 24th May 2017 with Peter Dick GM4DTH operating the Fox station GM3HAM/P..

The results were:

Melvyn Bond GM4HYR / Alasdair GM6ZQQ: 1h 19m
Mike Brunsden GM8KCS / Mike Jr MM3MDB: 1h 51m
Pete Bates GM4BYF: arrived 22:13

Melvyn GM4HYR retained the LRS D/F Trophy and will be presented with it at the LRS barbecue on 28th June.

After the event the participants relocated to the nearby Cramond Inn for well-deserved Diet Cokes!

Click for rough-cut video of this event.

The fox station GM3HAM/P operated by Peter GM4DTH, was located at NT193769 near to the mouth of the River Almond.

Aerial view of the Fox location from Multimap.

Peter wrote: This year the Fox moved about as far north as it could be, close to the shore of the river Forth just east of the River Almond, putting it about five and a half miles from the start. Looking inland from the shoreline one can see open parkland with a scattering of deciduous trees covering a raised beach rising from the shore. The fox was hidden behind one of the trees with the aerial threaded through the canopies of adjacent trees. The weather was perfect with warm sunshine and no wind.

This was the beautiful view from the Fox station out to the Firth of Forth and Cramond Island.

Both Peter and Alasdair were shooting video and we look forward to seeing their results. Stills by Peter GM4DTH and Alasdair GM6ZQQ..

'Ready to go' - Melvyn GM4HYR, Mike Jr MM3MDB and Mike GM8KCS.

Mike GM8KCS reported that at the start the Fox's signal was heard but was very weak and local noise made taking a meaningful bearing impossible. He then moved to other locations that were quieter on the south side of the city. Initial bearings pointed towards Granton harbour. Travelling north was slow with traffic impeding progress. A new bearing taken from Crewe Toll proved to be accurate and pointed straight to the Fox.

Pete GM4BYF getting his first bearing.

Melvyn wrote: In the early stage of the hunt Pete GM4BYF was convinced the Fox was located on the bank of the Union Canal. Moving on from this false start lead to another set-back when the Fox's signal was extremely strong on Clermiston Hill. This also resulted in a great loss of time. Pete eventually arrived at the Fox at 22:13 after a call for help.