[FLARES] Geofoxing

[Ron Wetjen]

In the latest issue of "The ARRL Contest Update Newsletter", Ward 
Silver, N0AX, wrote "I recently learned of a hybrid 
geocaching-orienteering contest that combines radio, navigation, and 
physical fitness. The contest is run as a kind of road rally, with each 
team or individual starting in a staggered sequence. They are initially 
provided with a set of GPS coordinates for a geocache. Off they go in 
search of the cache. When they find the cache, what it contains is the 
frequency of the first hidden transmitter! The GPS receiver gets stashed 
and out comes the portable beam and handheld radio. Attached to the 
hidden transmitter are the coordinates for the next geocache, and so 
forth. The best time through the entire string wins. That sounds like a 
LOT of fun to me and it would be easy to extend to mobile operating over 
a wider area."

Those familiar with Geocaching, recognize the Geocaching part, and those 
familiar with radio direction finding (Foxhunting), recognize that part. 
I thought this was an interesting way to combine the two activities!  I 
was able to find out, this activity is called "Geofoxing" and seemed to 
have started in Germany in 2005.  But other than that, there's not a 
whole lot of information available - it's not even listed on Wikipedia!

So, I put together a web site, http://www.geofoxing.com to try and help 
promote the activity!  Any Geocacher/Foxhunter hams are invited to join 
and discuss the subject.  Who knows ... maybe we'll even start seeing 
some Geofoxing competitions in the near future (something I've already 
been thinking about doing).

Ron, WD4AHZ