Summary report on D/F Hunt 2025 by Peter GM4DTH (Fox – GM3HAM/P).
Photos by James GM4WZP (tnx).
Starting from “The Tardis” on Braid Hills Road, the Fox station GM3HAM/P was located in the Roseburn Woods near to the Roseburn Bar. Four hunters were at the start and were welcomed and briefed by Coordinator James GM4WZP. They were Mike Sr GM8KCS with his son Mike Jr MM3MDB, David GM3YMX, John GM4JRT. Melvyn GM4HYR started from elsewhere on his Lambretta scooter. Only Mike and his son arrived at the Fox unaided and were the winners. The others were able to meet up afterwards and have a chat over diet lemonades in the Roseburn Bar.
FULL REPORT (GM4DTH):
This year the DF Hunt was a more or less a rerun of the one held in 2022, with the fox being located about 20m further back from the road at Roseburn than in 2022. In 2022 there was a total failure in the aerial matching with virtually no signal be detected at the start. This year James volunteered to assist at the start. Also this year there was an added complication with the unexpected association with motorsport. Our President Andy MM0FMF found out the correct procedures and they were implemented prior to the DF Hunt. He had announced his actions at the previous Braid Hills Hotel meeting.
This year the fox was assembled a few days earlier for testing prior to packing to go /P. Some further work was carried out on the aerial which was a 12m (40’) radiator with 8 matching ground radials. It was found that additional inductance was required in matching the aerial to the ’T’ network tuner (matching unit). WSPR was used to assess the signal to noise ratio at Brian GM4DIJ’s QTH which is within the planned service area. The additional inductance gave a significant improvement. During the test there was a single report from GW2HFR at 14:52 in the afternoon at a distance of 320km (about 199 miles). The thinking behind the aerial design was to mimic navigational beacons which give sharp null to their vertically polarised radiation. Taking part in our hunts are some participants who are still relatively new our 160m DF operation and providing sharp bearings would help them.
Four entrants were at the start and were welcomed and briefed by James. They were Mike GM8KCS with his son Michael MM3MDB, David GM3YMX, John GM4JRT and Melvyn GM4HYR. Good signals were received at the start which was 3.6km (2.25miles). During the five minute silence periods the aerial was coupled to a WSPR beacon using the callsign GM8HHC. This was out of curiosity following by the earlier daytime dx. It was received by thirteen individual stations by the time the hunt finished.
Both Mike and Melvyn are veterans of the DF hunt and were expected to be the first to find the fox. Indeed Mike did find the fox in 1 hour and 36 minutes. John managed to get close but then struggled and opted to telephone the fox and then made his way there. David also called from Craiglockhart and with time running out was told of the meeting location in the Roseburn Bar. Finally Melvyn had to admit defeat and called in and he then joined the group at the fox. Earlier James had moved from the start to join the fox where he welcomed all those who showed up.
At the start (Tardis) – Mike Sr GM8KCS + (son) Mike Jr MM3MDB, David GM3YMX & John GM4JRT. No sign of Melvyn GM4HYR.
One minute to go – John GM4JRT and Mike GM8KCS checking their receivers.
David GM3YMX with his receiver and ready to go.
The GM3HAM/P Fox location in the woods at Roseburn.
Fox station GM3HAM/P – equipment.
Fox station GM3HAM/P – vertical antenna base coil.
John GM4JRT, Mike Jr MM3MDB, Mike Sr GM8KCS and Fox GM3HAM/P Peter GM4DTH.
John GM4JRT, Mike Sr GM8KCS, Fox Peter GM4DTH and Mike Jr MM3MDB.
D/F Hunt Coordinator and photographer James GM4WZP getting one of his great shots!
After the D/F Hunt, over the road to the Roseburn Bar for some light refreshments!
In the Roseburn Bar – John GM4JRT, David GM3YMX & Melvyn GM4HYR.
Mni tnx to Peter GM4DTH for organizing and running the LRS 2025 D/F Hunt.