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