The next southern California on-foot hidden transmitter hunting event will be Saturday, April 20, 2013 at Schabarum Regional Park. If you are a beginner, there will be entry-level two-meter fox transmitters just for you, set by Joe Moell K0OV. For more experienced radio-orienteers, there will be a 5-fox two-meter international-rules course of moderate difficulty, set by Marvin Johnston KE6HTS. An optional 80-meter fox transmitter or two may also be on the air.

A ham radio license and knowledge of radio equipment are not required. Experts will be on hand to teach you the basic techniques of on-foot radio direction-finding (RDF). Also expect to see some folks training to compete in the 2013 USA ARDF Championships that will be in North Carolina this October.

If you don't have the antenna/attenuator system for on-foot foxhunting on two meters with your ham radio handi-talkie or scanner, you can easily make one during this session. If there is sufficient interest, Marvin Johnston KE6HTS will conduct a clinic for building his kits for measuring-tape yagis and for 90 dB offset-type attenuators. An assembled/tested attenuator in a special housing that goes inside the boom of the yagi is also available. If you wish to build kits at this workshop, you must register in advance by sending e-mail to marvin@west.net, so he will have the kits reserved in your name waiting for you.

It takes about an hour to put the kits together with tools and soldering irons that will be provided. If you're not an electronic technician, don't worry because there will be plenty of experts to help you. We want you to succeed! Then with your HT and the kitbuilt equipment, you will be all set to hunt.

All transmitter hunting begins at 10 AM. The starting point for the advanced course will be a different part of the park, so if you plan to take on that course, please arrive at the gathering area before 10 AM so we can transport that group to the starting point and do starts at five-minute intervals. Beginners will start from the gathering area and will not need to be transported. If there is an antenna/attenuator clinic, it will start at 11 AM and there will still be time to hunt the beginner transmitters after that. Courses will close at 3 PM.

For the advanced 2-meter course, orienteering flags and electronic scoring will be used at each transmitter. If you have an "e-stick," be sure to bring it. Please donate $5 for the advanced course to cover expenses related to the use of Los Angeles Orienteering Club's e-punch equipment and maps. No donation is requested for the beginner course and the 80-meter transmitter hunt.

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 678-G4) A map to the site is in 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 146.52 simplex if you have trouble finding the gathering area within the park.

73, Joe Moell K0OV