Foxhunting with a Handheld Radio
NOTE: I've have not tried this personally but will update this blog when I get the chance to test this technique. The information below are excerpts from: http://www.homingin.com/equipment.html
Handie-Talkie Tricks
(Adapted from a handout given to first-timers at southern California two-meter international-style foxhunts.)
If you are a typical ham radio operator, all you need to get started quickly and find foxes successfully is your VHF/UHF handi-talkie (HT) or scanner and some simple accessories.The most elementary way is called the "body fade" or "body shield" technique. Hold your HT tight against your chest and turn around slowly, looking for the direction at which your body blocks the signal most effectively (the signal null). At this point, the signal is coming from behind you. Walk in the direction of the null, taking bearings at regular intervals, and observe the signal strength get stronger.
When the signal is so strong that you can't find the null, tune 5 or 10 KHz off frequency to put the signal into the skirts of the receiver's IF passband. If your hand-held is dual-band (144/440 MHz) and you are hunting on two meters, try tuning to the much weaker third harmonic of the signal in the 70 cm band while performing the "body shield."
Disconnecting the HT's "rubber duck" antenna will knock down the signal even more. Hearing the signal with antenna off is usually a "You are here!" indicator. Some foxtailers wrap aluminum foil around their HTs to attenuate the signal even more.
WARNING: If you do this, be sure to put insulating tape over the battery charging terminals on the bottom of the set first. You might damage the radio by shorting these terminals with the foil.
The "body fade" null, which is rather shallow to begin with, can be filled in by signal reflections (multipath), nearby objects, etc. When using this method, stay away from large buildings, chain-link fences, metal signs, and the like. If you do not get a good null, move to a clearer location and try again.
