The first southern California on-foot radio direction finding session of 2016 will be Saturday, January 23 at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. The emphasis in this session will be training to help you improve your bearing-taking, map-reading, navigating and course-planning skills. Experts will be on hand to help you. This is the first of three sessions for those preparing to compete in the 2016 USA ARDF Championships in Texas during April. But all are welcome, whether or not you're planning to go to the championships.

You can try your hand at some easy two-meter transmitters set by Joe Moell K0OV plus a 5-fox two-meter international-rules course of beginner-to-moderate difficulty, set by Marvin Johnston KE6HTS. One or more fox transmitters on the 80-meter band may also be set up to try, as well as a foxoring course.

If you have receivers, scanners, directional antennas, attenuators, or other equipment suitable for on-foot RDF, be sure to bring it. Make sure all batteries are fresh. A limited amount of RDF gear will be available for loan.

For those who want to build RDF gear for use with their own two-meter hand-held radios or scanners, Marvin will have kits for measuring-tape yagis and active attenuators. There will be tools and soldering stations for building. Send e-mail to Marvin (marvin@west.net) to pre-register and get more information about equipment. The building session will only take place if there are sufficient advance registrations. If you already have equipment and just want to hunt transmitters, you don't need to pre-register.

If it takes place, the building session will start at 9:30 AM. Please be prompt. Beginner transmitters will be on the air at that time. The main 5-fox hunt will start about 10:30 AM. Hunters may start the courses at any time until 1 PM. Courses close at 3 PM.

For the advanced 2-meter course, electronic scoring will be used. There will be "e-sticks" for loan, but if you have one of your own, be sure to bring it. A $5 donation is requested for the advanced course 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.

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.

Bonelli Regional Park is near Raging Waters, Brackett Field, and Puddingstone Reservoir. From the 57 freeway north of I-10, take the Via Verde exit and go east through the entrance to the park. There is a $10 per vehicle entry fee. Go approximately 1/4 mile beyond the entrance and turn left into the parking lot for the Snack Shoppe (formerly the bike rental stand). Look for the orange-and-white orienteering flag directing you to the starting area. Talk-in is on 146.97 MHz simplex.

73, Joe Moell K0OV