GPS track to 1st Fox	GPS track to 2nd Fox	The first transmitter hunt of 2003. Six teams tested out the new VK3YNG Sniffer MK4. We all agreed the Sniffer was a success as both a U-R-Here radio and close-in sniffer. I used it as my initial bearing receiver and found it pretty easy to use. Because of the high RF environment up at the start point, I found I had to manually set my Sniffer-4 to attenuation level (1) to reduce the local intermod and adjacent channel interference. Boy, that Sniffer-4 is really sensitive. The Sniffer was able to take a bearing on Fox-1 (1-watt) from 5.79 miles away with 15db of attenuation. Although I was off on my initial bearing by 11*, I attribute that error to my compass. Dave-KG6ACD, mounted his receive antenna for the Sniffer-4 on his front bumper. He said it work great, better than expected. The bumper mounted antenna gave the Sniffer-4 directivity. As he drove towards the Fox transmitter, the Sniffer-4 began automatically stepping up attenuation and just as he passed the Fox, the Sniffer dropped off. You know when you've gone to far or traveling in the right direction. The Doppler was a bit squirrelly, traveling on Mission Blvd. towards the first transmitter but, it generally pointed straight ahead. I used the "F." filter on my AHHA Doppler which helped display only good directions towards the Fox. This eased my anxiety during my ride to the first Fox. Along with the new Sniffer-4, I also used my old Icom-R3 U-R-Here radio. I noticed both radio's stepped through the attenuation levels at about the same rate. When the R3 needed attenuation level-1, the Sniffer-4 had stepped itself up to level-1. This stepping went on through level-4 of attenuation. While my R3 was full scale on attenuation four, the Sniffer continued climbing the attenuation scale as I drove closer and closer to the Fox. Attenuation level-5 ... level-6, then my Doppler swung right. Using the Sniffer attached to my Arrow 4-element 2-meter Yagi, I was able to zero-in on the the transmitter (1-watt) very quickly. At this close range, the Sniffer started out in attenuation-7 and quickly went to level-9 as I pointed the Yagi within inches of the radiating antenna.
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1st Hard Fox	Mistaken Identity	At the 2nd Easy Fox, I made the mistake of assuming the transmitter was in-front of Mission Pizza. Using the Sniffer with my Arrow 4-element Yagi, the Sniffer displayed an attenuation level of 5 and pointed up, over the roof. Luckily Paul was around and said the transmitter was not here. Walking around in back of the building the Sniffer went to attenuation level-7 and pointed up a very dark and muddy hill. After eliminating all other possibilities, I took the plunge and muddied my feet as I walked to the Easy Transmitter (5-watts) hidden in some tall weeds. The Sniffer worked exceptionally well and was able to detect the exact radiating antenna of a 5-watt transmitter.
2nd Easy Fox	2nd Easy Fox
Note on Easy Fox	20030104_191238.jpg	Here at Mission Pizza (Washington Blvd.), twenty of us sat down to a very nice dinner, with lots of conversation.
20030104_191710.jpg	20030104_195315.jpg	Picture to the right shows Art-KF7GD and Dick-KE6PXW making the same mistake I did. The radio signal seems to be coming from the roof or over it.
20030104_195811.jpg	20030104_195821.jpg	Dave-KG6ACD will be putting on the next transmitter hunt (January 18, 2003), using the Pleasanton Start Point. See you there, Jim Sakane KD6DX
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