Radio direction finding · Kerala
Kerala VHF Fox Hunt
Tune in, take bearings and work together to find the hidden transmitter. Fox hunting is a hands-on amateur radio activity that blends signal tracking, practical radio skills and outdoor teamwork.
VHF direction findingTeams & field skillsQARL · Kollam
The activity
What is a VHF Fox Hunt?
Participants use radio direction-finding techniques to locate a transmitter hidden within a designated search area. It is a popular amateur radio activity; organized sport forms are also known as amateur radio direction finding.
How the hunt works
Listen for the hidden “fox” transmitter, compare signal strength and direction, then use your bearings to guide the search. The activity encourages practical radio skills, careful listening, navigation and teamwork.
Make your own direction-finding antenna
A complete demonstration video below shows fox hunting and inexpensive, home-built (“ham-made”) directional Yagi antennas.
A QARL tradition
Kerala Fox Hunt history
The first Kerala VHF Fox Hunt was held in Kollam in 1995, followed by hunts in different parts of Kerala.
The first Kerala VHF Fox Hunt was conducted in Kollam. VU2GVX and SWL Pradeep were the winners.
The second and third Fox Hunts were held at Thrissur in 1996 and 1997.
A later hunt at Chalakkudi was won by QARL members VU2RDL and VU3KMU.
Winners at later Kollam hunts included VU2PEB and VU2CTN, and VU2HRI and VU3BHU.
The VU2CSD Rolling Trophy for the VHF Fox Hunt was instituted by VU2CLD, VU2IHX and VU3SMG in memory of Late Om Sivachandra Das, VU2CSD. The second prize was donated by Eranakulam Auto Sports Club and the third prize by Palakkad Auto Sports Club.