Well, as the description tells, the van transmission died just north of Paso Robles. I called Dean about 8:30PM to let him know what was going on (he was already in San Jose), and he headed back down south for the 2+ hours drive to pick up the transmitters. Because I didn't know what exit we were parked in, we used simplex when he got close, and the signal strength verified when he was getting close! He arrived about 11:15PM, picked up Bill Smathers and the transmitters, and headed back up north. MANY thanks to Dean for doing this as it allowed the hunt to proceed (almost) as planned!
The transmission would still engage in first gear as long as I didn't exceed about 35 MPH, so I limped home after Dean left at about 30 MPH driving the rest of Saturday night to return to SB. To complete this exciting weekend, I ran out of gas on San Marcos Pass just south of the Trout Club.
Hiroshi was Japan National ARDF Champion several years ago, and I believe his wife did the same (although I don't see where she competed.) In talking to Dean, it sounded like there were quite a few reflections due to the damp weather up there to add to the challenge.
And no, I didn't plan for the transmission to give out so Jay would stand a chance of winning :). Congratulations to Jay for a job well done!!! I believe this was his first ARDF meet using standard orienteering maps!
Marvin, KE6HTS
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Marvin Johnston was bringings his transmitters up from Santa Barbara, when his transmission quit in Pasa Robles. Dean Dods stayed up late driving down to rescue the transmitters so that we could have a meet. Jay won using the blue magic receiver from OZ and a log periodic array. Penny turned in an amazingly good performance for a first timer, who had had about 6.5 minutes of instruction before she went out. She borrowed Jay's rig. Maybe it's time from me to build an LP array.
2 meters Foxes Time 1. Jay Hennigan 5 63:54 2. Hiroshi Izuta 5 77:00 3. Dean Dods 5 93:59 4. Penny DeMoss 5 95:40 5. Bill Wright 5 120:50 6. Bill Smathers 5 260:00 7. Art Jury, Peter and Evan Goldstein 5? 240:00 ? 8. Jack and Philip Myers 3 150:00 ? 9. Carl and Aleene Rsisinger 2 90:00 10. David Modiano 2 151:00
80 meters
About 5 people got the single 80 meter Fox.
Bob Cooley