The next southern California on-foot transmitter hunt will be Saturday, August 18, at Topanga State Park. This session is part of a series of local events leading up to the USA ARDF Championships that will take place near Lake Tahoe during September. As always, this session is open to anyone of any age, with or without a ham radio license. Experts will be on hand to teach you the basic techniques.
If you are a beginner, there will be entry-level two-meter fox transmitters just for you, set by Joe Moell K0OV. For advanced radio-orienteers, there will be a 5-fox two-meter course approaching the length of a national championship course, set by Marvin Johnston KE6HTS. One or more optional 80-meter fox transmitters may also be on the air.
Transmitter hunting begins at 10 AM. You may start at any time up until noon. Courses close at 3 PM. A limited amount of radio direction finding gear will be available for loan.
For the advanced 2-meter course, electronic scoring will be used. If you have an "e-stick," be sure to bring it. There is a $5 fee to cover expenses related to the use of Los Angeles Orienteering Club's e-punch equipment and maps. The beginner course and the 80-meter transmitter hunt are free of charge and e-punch is not required for them.
Topanga State Park is in the Santa Monica Mountains. From Highway 101 in Woodland Hills, go south on Topanga Canyon Boulevard (Highway 27) about 8 miles. From Pacific Coast Highway, go north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard to just past Old Topanga Canyon Road. Either way, watch for a "Topanga State Park" sign and turn east onto Entrada Road. (This is a dangerous corner.) Go about a mile, bearing left at the fork. We will gather at the end of the parking lot in the shaded picnic area. Look for the orange and white orienteering flag. Talk-in will be on 146.97 MHz simplex. Vehicular entrance and parking costs $5 per vehicle.
Special note: There is back-country camping in this park. You could camp out the night before to be there early for this event.
A map to the site and link to camping information are at <www.homingin.com>.
73, Joe Moell K0OV