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
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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