[ARDF] ARDF Sunday 2/13/05 at Bonelli Park

[Homingin at aol.com]

The next southern California Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) event 
will be a "mix-in" with a regular orienteering event of the Los Angeles 
Orienteering Club (LAOC) on Sunday, February 13 at Bonelli Regional Park.

For advanced radio-orienteers, there will be a 5-fox two-meter course of 
about the same length as typical national championship courses, set by Marvin 
Johnston KE6HTS.  If you are a beginner, there will be plenty of practice 
two-meter fox transmitters just for you, set by Joe Moell K0OV.  Experts will be on 
hand to teach you the basic techniques of on-foot direction-finding.  An 
optional 80-meter fox transmitter will also be on the air.  A ham radio license 
and/or knowledge of radio equipment is not required. All ages are welcome, but 
small children should be accompanied by an adult on the course.

You may start 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 for $2.

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 $7-per-vehicle entry fee on Sundays.  
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.

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.

Joe Moell K0OV