| Ham radio foxhunting season gets under-way (Apr 10) |
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As the weather warms up, it's time to start planning for outdoor radio fun this summer. Opportunities to win medals by finding hidden transmitters are coming, as Amateur Radio Newsline's Joe Moell, K0OV, explains.
More and more radio hams every year are discovering the fun of tracking hidden radio transmitters in their cars or on foot. The on-foot variety of foxhunting has become an international sport, with names such as foxtailing, radio-orienteering and ARDF. USA is one of about 30 countries with an active ARDF program, including national champion-ships and participation in the World Championships every two years. To see the USA's best on-foot foxhunters in action, to learn from them, and to try it for yourself, make plans to come to Ohio this spring. The Tenth USA ARDF Championships will get under way on Friday, May 21. It's a three-day weekend of practice sessions, a big two-meter hunt, and anotherhunt on 80 meters. It's open to anyone at any foxhunting skill level, with or without a ham license. If you're a senior, don't worry about trying to compete against teenagers. Equal medals will be awarded in six separate age categories for OM's from under 18 to over 70. Five similar age categories divide up the YLs. To be even better prepared, attend the optional two-day intensive training camp just before the championships. What could you win? Possibly a medal and a place on our country's team going to the ARDF World Championships in Croatia this coming September. USA can only field a maximum of three people in each age and gender category, so our national championships determine who will go. Will this be the year that you win a radio-orienteering medal? The registration deadline is coming soon. So for everything you need to know about the USA Championships, including schedules, registration forms and equipment ideas, point your Web browser to www.homingin.com. You can also learn about the World Championships in Croatia and the annual CQ Worldwide Foxhunting Weekend. Joe Moell, K0OV Amateur Radio Newsline. |
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