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NARS Fall 2026 Fox Hunt and Club Picnic will be held Saturday November 7, 2026 at Burroughs Park 9738 Hufsmith Rd, Tomball, TX 77375
One of the most enjoyable and educational activities in amateur radio is transmitter hunting, commonly known as fox hunting. This unique aspect of the hobby combines radio operating skills, electronics knowledge, map reading, and outdoor adventure into a fun and challenging event. Participants use radio direction-finding techniques to locate a hidden transmitter, known as the "fox," using handheld radios, directional antennas, and signal strength observations.
In a typical fox hunt, one operator hides a small transmitter somewhere within a designated area while other participants attempt to locate it. Hunters listen to the signal and use directional antennas, such as Yagi antennas or handheld loop antennas, to determine the direction of the transmission. By taking bearings from multiple locations and following the strongest signal, hunters gradually narrow their search area until the transmitter is found. Hunts can range from simple exercises in local parks to complex events covering entire cities or wide rural areas.
Fox hunting provides an excellent opportunity to develop practical skills that can be valuable during emergency situations. The same radio direction-finding techniques used to locate a hidden transmitter can help identify sources of radio interference, track down malfunctioning equipment, locate emergency beacons, or assist public safety agencies during search-and-rescue operations. Many amateur radio operators first learn these techniques through club-sponsored fox hunts before applying them to real-world communications challenges.
Beyond the technical lessons, fox hunting is simply a great deal of fun. It encourages teamwork, friendly competition, and problem-solving while getting operators out from behind their radios and into the field. Participants often discover that success depends just as much on strategy and observation as it does on radio equipment. New hams quickly gain confidence in their radio skills, while experienced operators enjoy the challenge of testing their equipment and techniques against other hunters.
Many amateur radio clubs host fox hunts throughout the year as part of their training and educational programs. These events are an excellent way for members of all experience levels to learn about radio propagation, antenna design, signal attenuation, and direction-finding methods in a hands-on environment. Whether conducted on foot, by bicycle, or from vehicles, transmitter hunting remains one of amateur radio's most engaging activities, combining technology, adventure, and fellowship into a memorable experience.
For many radio amateurs, the thrill of finally spotting the hidden transmitter after following clues and chasing signals makes fox hunting one of the most rewarding activities in the hobby. It demonstrates that amateur radio is about much more than simply talking over the airwaves. It is about learning, experimentation, public service, and having fun while developing skills that can make a real difference when they are needed most.
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The club has a radio station set up in the radio room within the emergency operations center at Harris County ESD 16 Administration.
HF Radios
- Icom IC-7300 | 100W HF/50MHz SDR Transceiver
- Icom IC-746PRO | 100W HF/50MHz Transceiver
- Yaesu FT-8800R | UHF/VHF Mobile Transceiver (used to link to the 443.075 repeater in downtown Houston )
Antennas
- Mosley PRO-67-C-3 | 7 band, 7 element beam, 24-foot boom (40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m)
- Comet GP-3 | Dual band 2m/70cm vertical Antenna
- Unknown | UHF Yagi antenna (pointed to 443.075 repeater)
- Unknown | 4-element VHF/UHF Yagi antenna
Tower
- Rohn 45G | 50-foot Free-standing
- Yaesu G-1000DXA | Rotor and Controller
Request Access to Radio Room
You can access the Administration building and radio room once Harris County ESD No. 16 performs a background check and provides you an access card. The access card provides you access to the front door, the door to the hallway to the radio room and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) where the radio room is located.
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NARS NARS Meeting Presentations - Northwest Amateur Radio Society - Meeting Presentations
ARRL Online Course Catalog - http://www.arrl.org/online-course-catalog
ARRL Emergency Communications Training - http://www.arrl.org/emergency-communications-training
ARRL Webinars - http://www.arrl.org/ARRL-LearningNetwork#schedule
Exam Review for Ham Radio - http://www.arrl.org/examreview
Find an Amateur Radio License Class - http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class
Free Study Guides
A study guide for Technician license preparation, Dan Romanchik, KB6NU
A study guide for Technician license preparation on the Inland Empire VHF Radio Club website, Jack Tiley, AD7FO (Click on "Training Links" and go to the Technician training link)
Online Video/Audio Courses
Online Technician license exam self-study course, Fred Benson, NC4FB - The purpose of the resources developed for this course is to provide candidates in geographical areas that do not provide classes and candidates who cannot attend a class with the means to prepare for the Technician license exam. The materials cover all questions in the question pool with explanations, sub element tests, and sample license exams. Help is available upon request via email.
Benson also offers a "kid friendly" self-study course and a self-study program especially designed for emergency services personnel. "The Ham Whisperer" Video Course, Andy Vallenga, KE4GKP – This course is based on the FCC question pool sequence to assist with Technician license preparation.
A Self-Study Video Course, Dave Casler, KE0OG – This course provides a guided self-study video course based on ARRL's Ham Radio License Manual curriculum.
Online Technician License Preparation Course – Chris Johnson, N1IR 17 NARS NEWS Study Tools HamStudy.org: Cutting edge amateur radio study tools - Free ham radio flash cards, practice tests, and question pools as well as introduction to ham radio and explanations for questions.
HamTestOnline – Study Tips for the Ham Radio License Exams
HamExam.org - Free Amateur Radio Practice Tests with Flash Cards eHam.net Ham Radio Practice Exams Paid Resources W5YI Group - Your Resource for Ham Radio and Commercial Radio Licensing
HamRadioPrep - Enroll in Ham Radio Prep, the industry’s #1 online test prep and training program, and pass your FCC Amateur Radio License exam on the first try - or your money back. Use our partnership code, NARS, to get 10% off when you enroll.
HamTestOnline - Study for your Ham Radio License Exam!
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Parks on the Air (POTA) is a popular amateur radio activity that combines ham radio with the great outdoors. The program encourages amateur radio operators to set up and operate from designated parks and public lands while making contacts with other hams around the world. Established in 2017, POTA has grown rapidly and now includes thousands of qualifying parks across the United States and many other countries. It provides an enjoyable way to improve operating skills, test portable equipment, and explore local, state, and national parks.
There are two primary ways to participate in POTA: as a Hunter or an Activator. A Hunter is a station that contacts operators who are transmitting from a designated park. Hunters can operate from home, a mobile station, or virtually anywhere. An Activator, on the other hand, travels to a qualifying park and sets up a station within the park boundaries. To receive activation credit, an Activator must make a minimum number of contacts, typically ten, during their operating session.
One of the reasons POTA has become so popular is that it can be as simple or as advanced as you want it to be. Many operators activate parks using a small battery-powered HF transceiver, a portable antenna, and a folding chair. Others use larger stations with multiple antennas and operate for several hours. Portable operation teaches valuable skills such as antenna deployment, battery management, propagation awareness, and operating in changing outdoor conditions.
POTA is also an excellent way for new hams to gain confidence on the air. Activators often create a pileup of stations eager to make contact, providing an opportunity to practice logging, exchange procedures, and managing multiple callers. Since POTA contacts are generally friendly and relaxed, newcomers quickly learn proper operating techniques while interacting with experienced operators who are happy to help.
Awards and certificates add another layer of fun to the program. Hunters earn awards based on the number of parks contacted, while Activators earn recognition for activating different parks and reaching various milestones. All contacts are uploaded to the POTA database, where participants can track their statistics, view leaderboards, and download certificates for their achievements.
Another appealing aspect of POTA is that it encourages exploration and public awareness of amateur radio. Operators frequently set up in public areas where visitors may stop to ask questions about the antennas and equipment. These informal demonstrations often generate interest in amateur radio and allow hams to share the hobby with people who might never have encountered it otherwise.
For new operators, getting started with POTA is easy. A Hunter only needs a radio and antenna capable of making contacts on amateur radio bands. To become an Activator, select a designated park from the POTA website, bring portable equipment, make at least ten contacts, and submit the log after the activation. Whether you enjoy casual operating, chasing awards, portable radio adventures, or simply spending time outdoors, Parks on the Air offers a rewarding and enjoyable way to experience amateur radio.
