Schabarum Regional Park will be the site of the next southern California on-foot transmitter hunting session on Saturday, April 19, 2014. If you are a beginner, there will be entry-level two-meter fox transmitters set by Joe Moell K0OV. For more experienced radio-orienteers, there will be a 5-fox two-meter international-rules course of moderate difficulty, set by Marvin Johnston KE6HTS. One or more optional 80-meter fox transmitters may also be on the air.
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.
Note: be sure you can program frequencies into your radio!
If there is sufficient interest, Marvin Johnston KE6HTS will conduct a clinic for building kits for measuring-tape yagis and for 90 dB offset-type attenuators. An assembled/tested attenuator in a special housing that goes inside the boom of the yagi is also available. If you wish to build kits at this workshop, you must register in advance by sending e-mail to marvin@west.net, so he will have the kits reserved in your name waiting for you. It takes about an hour to put the kits together with tools and soldering irons that will be provided. If you're not an electronic technician, don't worry because there will be experts to help you.
All transmitter hunting begins at 10 AM. The starting point for the advanced course will be a different part of the park, so if you plan to take on that course, please arrive at the gathering area before 10 AM so we can transport that group to the starting point and do starts at five-minute intervals. Beginners will start from the gathering area and will not need to be transported. If there is an antenna/attenuator clinic, it will start at 11 AM and there will still be time to hunt the beginner transmitters after that. Courses will close at 3 PM.
For the advanced 2-meter course, orienteering flags and electronic scoring will be used at each transmitter. If you have an "e-stick," be sure to bring it. A few sticks will be available for loan. 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 678-G4) A map for navigation is 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 146.52 simplex if you have trouble finding the gathering area within the park.
73, Joe Moell K0OV