map1.gif	map2.gif	Map1 shows the overall hunt area and my GPS track from start to finish. It also shows two start point initial bearings and five more bearing during the hunt. I used an ARROW 4-element two-meter beam with an ARROW attenuator. Map2 is a profile of my initial 50* bearing from the start point, reference against the FOX's reflected signal from the Sierra Foothills. As you can see from this map, since the Fox was shadowed from the start point and directed it's signal 22* towards the Sierra Foothills, I read a bearing of 50*, 65 miles away, against a 1500' mountain. Map3 is a profile of Paul and Rich's 83* initial bearing. I don't quit understand the dynamics of radio frequency reflections so I can't explain what happened here. Map4 shows what the Fox saw, as it shot a 22* directed signal towards the Sierra's. I also plotted a 55* line from the Fox to a point in the mountains where Paul and Rich might have read their bearing of 83*.
map3.gif	map4.gif
Andy-N6AIM	Kathleen-N6DOB, Andy-N6AIM and Rich-KN6FW
Paul Shinn	Bill-K6TYO	Equipment I used. 1) 4-element beam: To obtain all my bearings. 2) AHHA MicroFinder Doppler. Guide me alone. 3) Garmin StreetPilot-III: Street level GPS mapping. 4) Laptop Computer: TOPO GPS mapping and draw bearings. 5) Icom IC-R3, U-R-Here radio. Full scale on attenuation-4 worked great when near the FOX. 6) Mobile radio, Standard C5900DA. Listen to the fox frequency and talk-in communications channel (simplex). CONCLUSION: 1) Take BEAM bearings to the Fox frequently. 3) Plot the bearings on a GPS based map, like TOPO on a laptop computer. If I plotted bearings between RIPON and MODESTO I could have saved 50 miles. 2) Check signal strength. 3) Icom IC-R3, U-R-Here radio, attenuation-4.
Ron-N7TVE and Chantel	20020831_133613.jpg
Doppler and StreetPilot-III	The Fox	36.4 miles would have been the shortest route if our initial bearing had not been a reflection.
T-Hunters waiting.	Fox directing a 22* signal through a narrow gap.	Once we acquired the direct Fox signal, the shortest route could have been 58.5 miles. Rich & Paul were close with only 65 miles. Kathleen and I, along with Ron and Chantel, were not so good.
Bill, Joan & Kathleen	Rich and Paul
Ron & Chantel	Dave,Rich, Henry Paul
Pizza in Patterson	Lunch inside Mountain Mike's Pizza.	These people were so nice at Mountain Mike's Pizza. See you at the next hunt. Jim Sakane KD6DX