10/17/1998
Hi all,

 

Mark, N8DEF and Cary, KC8JKA were hiding in a park near Grand Ledge Sat.
Mark fell and got a pretty good gash on the top of his head. As of late
Sat. afternoon I spoke with Mark's mom, who said he was not doing well,

(which is why I didn't go into detail on the radio). Mark came over to

my house on Sunday afternoon and was doing fine. He figured he didn't

need stitches or medical attention. I called the hunt off when they

reported he was injured, and offered to come and help, but they wouldn't

disclose where they were. Guess Mark was willing to go to his grave if

necessary rather than disclose the hiding spot! Now there is a real fox

hunter for ya!

 

Rog, kc8cgh and I were working together, and were the only hunters. We

got close (after 4 hours) and probably would have found them had we not

called the hunt. By the way Cary, we were on the right side of the river!

And if you'd been able to transmit when the fox died, we might have found

you before sundown! then again...

 

I called Mark again Sunday night and he told me the

unmarked park they were at. (road isn't even on the map :-), and we also

discussed the bearings I took. (some were quite bizarre!) Apparently

there is a large mineral deposit that runs through Lansing, giving

reflections. I shot the first bearing high and in the clear from Lake

Lansing road, 1/2 mile w of 127, and was off by 90~, then got the 2nd

reading at Theios, and was off by same amount. What fun. 3rd bearing

was high and in the clear at Grand river park (Lansing rd), and was

accurate, so I we looked N. of Lansing mall where the lines crossed (big

mistake) ;-)

 

(turns out w8bqd shot the same initial bearings I got, (SW v/s NW) using

his umpteen element beam at 60 feet. I curious what bearings kb8zqz took

from MSU ) It sure would have saved time and miles to get the correct

bearing initially. I wonder if the Granger land fill was blocking a

direct shot on the signal, or if a river valley had some effect.

 

 

Eventually we got into Grand Ledge, and were always on the wrong side of

the river. The iron deposits the ledges are on give dandy reflections,

and according to Mark, royally screw up compasses.... By the time

we got on the right side of the river and had a shot at finding them, the

fox xmtr had problems and Mark was injured. Quite frustrating, but

a learning experience. Glad to report that Mark is ok.

 

Thanks to Mark and Cary for hiding this one. Nice job choosing the

location! If you guys are willing, you can hide the next one.

(and I'll stop thinking nasty thoughts in your direction) Of course if

you'd prefer to get more experience hunting, we could draw straws or

something to see who hides. In other hunts its usually the 1st finder

that hides, and guys will fall all over each other not to be the first!

 

One last note, I got the following URL for a doppler kit thats
available, if you want to wimp out and do it the 'easy' way :-)

http://www.wenet.net/~ahha/

Haven't looked at it myself, but w8bqd's son Glen passes it along.
So, when's the next hunt?
John AA8LF

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