We had a very successful radio hunt this year for HamCation. A few cuts for one team, but everyone found the first 2 transmitters. #3 was down an uncleared trail, making it hard to reach, so we went with timing for the final..

In the end, 2 teams were pretty much at the head of the activity.

Team #1 - Arthur Byrnes, KA4WDK, Daytona Beach (Holly Hill) - Hunting alone this year.

Team #2 - Ann (KT8F) & Phil (W8IC) Manor, the hiders from last year.

The Jacksonville Trio had a fantastic attenuator from this years radio hunt, but might not have figured out how to use it in time to win this hunt. They did find the first, then second transmitter. W5MSO - Michael O'Rourke, KE4RWS - Randy Evans, K7BEN - Ben Bramlett)

Problems during the hunt was based on the cards to be picked up at the sites, since we didn't have enough people to watch all sites successfully.. and some.. environment issues...

All transmitters were located in Bennett Park (sp?) right behind the HamCation(tm). Due to overflow, and the largest amount of visitors, they opened the gates on the North West corner, which would allow hunters on foot to walk right to the park.. (otherwise it is a very long walk, then a short drive..)

Transmitter #1 - Pat Eckenrode (AC4QM) was hidden on the back side of thedministrative building. Unfortunately, some kids were bouncing basketballs from the top floor, and one accidentally hit the antenna, shorting the power supply, but after a quick reset, he was back on the air.

Transmitter #2 - Jeff Mathews (KG4DHZ, Me) was hidden on the North East side of the park, with the baseball fields in between my vehicle and #1. This would have blocked them from a direct reading, possibly sending them in any direction from #1.. but the first 2 teams were not fooled. I had the transmitter on the floor in front of the front passenger seat, so it was out of view, but I put the cards on the windshield on the driver side below the hood, so they were very hard to see (to keep the kids from walking off with them, or making the car more obvious.) Unfortunately, Art was unable to find the cards immediately.

Transmitter #3 was hidden along the Frisbee Golf track on the North West corner of the park. I found a spot across a ravine that could not be crossed, except by cars on the south side of the section, or a wooden walkway on the South East side. I think all 3 teams might have been fooled by this. Unfortunately, my knee was giving out, and I had already headed back to #2 to shut down, so I didn't see the first 2 teams arrive, however, I was able to watch the other 2 teams find #2. They walked around quite a bit before they realized it was my car.

At that point (5:45pm), I shut down #2, and drove over near #3. As I arrived, I got a glimpse of one team getting stuck across the ravine. As I parked and walked over, Art and the Manors were stuck trying to figure out how to get to the box. We ended the hunt about 6:10pm, well past the expected ending time, but they wanted to find it. After another 20 minutes, they all got within 5 feet of the box, but I shut it down, as it was getting dark..

After talking with Phil & Ann, Since they tied with Arthur, to let Arthur have the win this year.

Hopefully everyone had fun (It does look like they did). Arthur Byrnes (KA4WDK) will be planning next years hunt, and should be available for questions as we near next years event.

Hopefully during the year, I will be able to add information on hunting equipment, techniques and ideas throughout the year.

If you know someone who hunts that would like to participate, please  let me know, or use the invite feature to bring them in!

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This years winner: Arthur Byrnes (KA4WDK) This years prize was a certificate for Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) for $100.