Since I'll be at Dayton Hamvention that weekend, I won't be there. But for those
of you who might be thinking about it, the terrain is a flat grassy and open
park, and very nice for beginners!
Marvin, KE6HTS
**********
The next southern California on-foot direction-finding event is
especially for beginners. It will be Saturday, May 17, 2008 at
Tri-City Park in Placentia, as part of the annual "Antennas In The
Park" event, organized by the Fullerton Radio Club. It's also in
celebration of the eleventh annual CQ Worldwide Foxhunting Weekend.
All ages are welcome, so bring the family. We're expecting members of
the Western Amateur Radio Association (WARA) and Fam-Comm Amateur
Radio Association, as well as transmitter hunters from all over
southern California.
Radio activities get under way at 10 AM. Beginning around 11:30, a
cookout and potluck will precede the transmitter hunts, which will
start around 12:30 PM. There will be grilled hamburgers, kosher hot
dogs, strip steaks and chicken breasts, as well as an array of
condiments, beverages and utensils. There is no fixed price for the
BBQ, but there will be a donation jar to offset some of the clubs'
expenses.
Plans are to have hidden transmitters on the 3.5, 146, and 222 MHz
bands. These transmitter hunts will be simple, informal and intended
primarily for newcomers. Experienced ARDFers will be present to help
you get started. There will be no charge for participation in the hunts.
If you have them, bring a handi-talkie, receiver, or scanner for each
person who will be going ARDFing. If you have directional antennas,
attenuators, or other on-foot RDF equipment, be sure to bring that
too. Make sure all batteries are fresh. For those with no radio
gear, some extra ARDF receiver/antenna sets will be available.
Besides the transmitter hunts and cookout, there will be some antenna
building and testing for Field Day and radio-controlled sailboating.
Expect to find at least one HF ham station on the air in the park.
The traditional Worldwide Foxhunting Weekend cake will be served for
dessert to participants in the transmitter hunt. Canopies and tables
will be set up, but if you plan on doing a lot of sitting around,
please bring a lawn chair.
The entrance to Tri-City Park is at the corner of North Kraemer
Boulevard and East Golden Avenue in Placentia. The BBQ and hunt start
will be in the northeast corner (to the right as you enter the park).
Look for the orange and white Orienteering flag and the radio club
banners. Map at <www.homingin.com>. Entry and parking are free, but
empty spaces near the picnic site may be difficult to find if the park
is crowded, so consider carpooling.
Call K0OV on K6QEH/R, 146.97(-) PL 136.5 for two-meter talk-in.
73,
Joe Moell K0OV
Our next on-foot transmitter hunt will take place Saturday, April 19
in Schabarum Regional Park. Whether you're training for international
championships or just learning how to track radio transmitters for
fun, this Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) event is for you. A
ham radio license and knowledge of radio equipment are not required.
Experts will be on hand to teach you the basic techniques. Also
expect to see some competitors training for the 2008 USA ARDF
Championships that will be in Texas on the second weekend of May.
If you are a beginner, there will be entry-level two-meter fox
transmitters, set by Joe Moell K0OV. For advanced radio-orienteers,
there will be an international-rules ARDF course, set by Marvin
Johnston KE6HTS. An optional 80-meter fox transmitter will also be on
the air.
Transmitter hunting begins at 10 AM. You may start at any time up
until 1 PM. Courses close at 3 PM. There are picnic tables nearby,
so you can bring your lunch.
The beginner course and the 80-meter transmitter hunt will be free of
charge. The advanced ARDF training will use electronic
registration/scoring ("e-punch"), so a $5 per entry (individual or
group) donation is requested to defray the cost of the full-color
orienteering map and e-punch equipment.
If you have them, bring a handi-talkie, receiver, or scanner covering
the two-meter band for each person who will be going ARDFing. If you
have directional antennas, attenuators, or other on-foot RDF
equipment, be sure to bring that too. Make sure that all batteries
are fresh. For those with no radio gear, some extra ARDF
receiver/antenna sets will be available. Be sure to bring anything
you'll need while going after those radio foxes, such as munchies,
bottled water and sunscreen. For map plotting, bring your own
compass, protractor and pencil.
Trails are primitive in some areas of the park, so wear sturdy shoes.
All ages are welcome, but young children must be accompanied by an
adult at all times.
Schabarum Regional Park is on the south side of Colima Road, just east
of Azusa Avenue in Hacienda Heights. (Thomas Guide Pg678-G4, also maps
at www.homingin.com) There is a vehicular entry fee for the park, so
carpooling would be a good idea. Upon passing through the entry gate,
drive south (straight ahead, don't turn right) and continue to the end
of the road (about 0.7 mile). Park in the last parking lot near the
restrooms. Look for the orange and white orienteering flags and
signs. Call K0OV on 146.970 simplex if you have trouble finding the
site within the park.
73,
Joe Moell K0OV