You have two opportunities to enjoy on-foot transmitter hunting (foxtailing, radio-orienteering, ARDF) in May. The fourth in a series of local hunts leading up to the USA ARDF Championships this summer will take place Sunday, May 15 in O'Neill Regional Park. This ARDF event is a "mix-in" with a regular orienteering meet of the Los Angeles Orienteering Club (LAOC).
The O'Neill two-meter course will be "advanced" level, about the same length as typical national championship courses, with five transmitters. Although it is intended as training for experienced radio-orienteers, it can be completed by beginners who are capable of walking or running in hilly rural terrain for about 5 kilometers. Course-setter Marvin Johnston KE6HTS will be on hand to teach the basic techniques of on-foot direction-finding. One or two ARDF sets may be available for loan.
You may start on May 15 at any time between 10 AM and noon, but we suggest that you arrive at 9:30 so you can get registered early and have time for an orienteering course in addition to ARDF. LAOC's participation fee is $5 per individual adult and $3 per individual youth who are LAOC members. Non-member individuals pay $7. Groups of two to four persons can go out on the courses together, in which case the group fee is $7 for LAOC members and $9 for non-members. LAOC's excellent orienteering maps of the park will be provided for your use. Electronic scoring will be used. If you have an "e-stick," be sure to bring it, and if not, you can rent one
O'Neill Regional Park is between Trabuco Canyon and the Foothill Transportation Corridor. From Interstate 5, exit at El Toro Road and head northeast toward the hills for 7.3 miles. Turn right onto Live Oak Canyon Road (at Cook's Corner) and proceed 3.3 miles to the park entrance on the right. From north Orange County, go east on Chapman Avenue in Orange to the intersection of Jamboree Road. Go straight onto Santiago Canyon Road 12.3 miles to Cook's Corner, where you will turn left onto Live Oak Canyon road and proceed 3.3 miles to the park entrance on the right. Use the map at bottom of this page for navigation to the park. Vehicular entrance and parking costs $5 per vehicle. Starting area will be near the park entrance. Follow the LAOC signs and look for the orange and white orienteering flag.
Then on Saturday, May 21, come to Tri-City Park in Placentia for a pig-out and beginner transmitter hunt. It is sponsored by the Fullerton Radio Club and is part of the club's annual "Antennas In The Park" event, held in conjunction with Western Amateur Radio Association and Anaheim Amateur Radio Association. An optional barbecue and potluck precedes the hunt. To join in, bring your own meat to cook and a side dish or dessert to share. Transmitter hunts will follow the potluck at about 12:30 PM. You may start the course at any time before 1:30 PM.
The Tri-City transmitter hunt will be simple, informal and intended primarily for beginners. In addition to two meters, there will be an optional transmitter on the 80-meter band. All ages are welcome, so bring the family. Experienced ARDFers will be present to help you get started. There will not be any charge for participation in the Tri-City hunt. Huntmaster will be Joe Moell K0OV. RDF equipment will be available for loan.
Tri-City Park entrance is at the corner of North Kraemer Boulevard and East Golden Avenue in Placentia. The barbecue and hunt start will be in reserved picnic shelters at the south end of the lake. Look for the orange and white Orienteering flags and signs. 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.
Maps to these sites are at www.homingin.com
73, Joe Moell K0OV