[ARDF] Two southern California on-foot hunts coming, May 15 and 21

[Homingin at aol.com]

You have two opportunities to enjoy on-foot transmitter hunting (foxtailing, 
radio-orienteering, ARDF) in May.  The fourth in a series of local hunts 
leading up to the USA ARDF Championships this summer will take place Sunday, May 15 
in O'Neill Regional Park.  This ARDF event is a "mix-in" with a regular 
orienteering meet of the Los Angeles Orienteering Club (LAOC).

The O'Neill two-meter course will be "advanced" level, about the same length 
as typical national championship courses, with five transmitters.  Although it 
is intended as training for experienced radio-orienteers, it can be completed 
by beginners who are capable of walking or running in hilly rural terrain for 
about 5 kilometers.  Course-setter Marvin Johnston KE6HTS will be on hand to 
teach the basic techniques of on-foot direction-finding.  One or two ARDF sets 
may be available for loan.

You may start on May 15 at any time between 10 AM and noon, but we suggest 
that you arrive at 9:30 so you can get registered early and have time for an 
orienteering course in addition to ARDF.  LAOC's participation fee is $5 per 
individual adult and $3 per individual youth who are LAOC members. Non-member 
individuals pay $7.  Groups of two to four persons can go out on the courses 
together, in which case the group fee is $7 for LAOC members and $9 for 
non-members.  LAOC's excellent orienteering maps of the park will be provided for your 
use.  Electronic scoring will be used.  If you have an "e-stick," be sure to 
bring it, and if not, you can rent one

O'Neill Regional Park is between Trabuco Canyon and the Foothill 
Transportation Corridor.  From Interstate 5, exit at El Toro Road and head northeast 
toward the hills for 7.3 miles. Turn right onto Live Oak Canyon Road (at Cook's 
Corner) and proceed 3.3 miles to the park entrance on the right.  From north 
Orange County, go east on Chapman Avenue in Orange to the intersection of Jamboree 
Road.  Go straight onto Santiago Canyon Road 12.3 miles to Cook's Corner, 
where you will turn left onto Live Oak Canyon road and proceed 3.3 miles to the 
park entrance on the right.  Use the map at bottom of this page for navigation 
to the park.  Vehicular entrance and parking costs $5 per vehicle.  Starting 
area will be near the park entrance.  Follow the LAOC signs and look for the 
orange and white orienteering flag. 

Then on Saturday, May 21, come to Tri-City Park in Placentia for a pig-out 
and beginner transmitter hunt.  It is sponsored by the Fullerton Radio Club and 
is part of the club's annual "Antennas In The Park" event, held in conjunction 
with Western Amateur Radio Association and Anaheim Amateur Radio Association. 
 An optional barbecue and potluck precedes the hunt.  To join in, bring your 
own meat to cook and a side dish or dessert to share.  Transmitter hunts will 
follow the potluck at about 12:30 PM.  You may start the course at any time 
before 1:30 PM.

The Tri-City transmitter hunt will be simple, informal and intended primarily 
for beginners.  In addition to two meters, there will be an optional 
transmitter on the 80-meter band.  All ages are welcome, so bring the family.  
Experienced ARDFers will be present to help you get started.  There will not be any 
charge for participation in the Tri-City hunt.  Huntmaster will be Joe Moell 
K0OV.  RDF equipment will be available for loan.

Tri-City Park entrance is at the corner of North Kraemer Boulevard and East 
Golden Avenue in Placentia.  The barbecue and hunt start will be in reserved 
picnic shelters at the south end of the lake.   Look for the orange and white 
Orienteering flags and signs. Entry and parking are free, but empty spaces near 
the picnic site may be difficult to find if the park is crowded, so consider 
carpooling.  Call K0OV on K6QEH/R, 146.97(-) PL 136.5 for two-meter talk-in.

Maps to these sites are at www.homingin.com

73,
Joe Moell K0OV