The next southern California on-foot transmitter hunt will take place on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at Bonelli Regional Park. As usual, this event will have something for everyone, beginner and expert alike. 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).

If you are a beginner, there will be entry-level two-meter fox transmitters, set by Joe Moell K0OV. For advanced radio-orienteers, there will be an international-rules ARDF course, set by Marvin Johnston KE6HTS. An optional 80-meter fox transmitter will also be on the air.

Expect to see some of the medal winners from the 2007 USA/IARU-R2 ARDF Championships that took place near South Lake Tahoe in mid-September. Some of them are training for the 2008 World Championships in South Korea.

Transmitter hunting begins at 10 AM. You may start at any time up until 1 PM. Courses close at 3 PM. There are picnic tables and BBQ grills nearby, so you can bring your lunch or cook up something if you wish.

The beginner course and the 80-meter transmitter hunt will be free of charge. The advanced ARDF training will use electronic registration/scoring ("e-punch") so a $5 per entry (individual or group) donation is requested for that course to defray the cost of the full-color orienteering map and e-punch equipment.

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 57/210 freeways, take the Via Verde exit and go east through the entrance to the park. There is a per-vehicle entry fee, so consider carpooling. Go approximately 1/4 mile beyond the entrance and turn left into the parking lot for the bike rental stand. Look for the orange-and-white orienteering flag directing you to the starting site. A map to the site is at <www.homingin.com>.

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 it too. Make sure all batteries are fresh. For those with no radio gear, some extra ARDF receiver/antenna sets will be available. Also 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.

Talk-in on 146.970 MHz simplex.

73, Joe Moell K0OV