Radio Fox Hunting

Or to be politically correct "Radio Orienteering"

You need to know how to take a bearing using a compass and how to use a map in order to stand a chance of finding the Radio beacons quickly. You only have 30 minutes to do it. There are two radio beacons each is on for 60 seconds alternately. You use a directional aerial in conjunction with a receiver to triangulate on the beacons. Below are part of the instruction sheet you will be given on this activity.

1. Each beacon transmits for 60 seconds, alternately. One is likely to be much stronger than the other.
2. Rotate the antenna to get the strongest signal. This is done by reducing the gain until you can just hear the transmission.
3. Take a bearing in the direction of the strongest signal.
4. Plot the bearing on the map.
5. When the first beacon goes off adjust the gain control so you can hear the second beacon and get a bearing on that.
6. Run at 45 degrees of the strongest beacons bearing but in the direction of the bearing for some 200 meters.
7. Take another bearing on the same beacon, the strongest, following 2 - 4.
8. You should now have a rough triangulated fix on the first beacon.
9. Do the same for the second beacon.
10. Move into the triangulation area of the nearest beacon which should be the strongest, find it and punch you card.
11. Now find the second beacon and punch your card.

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