[ARDF] Vasquez Rocks ARDF Sunday 11/11/05

[Homingin at aol.com]

The last southern California on-foot transmitter hunt of 2005 will be Sunday, 
December 11.  This two-meter direction-finding practice session is especially 
for radio-orienteers in training for the USA ARDF Championships next spring, 
but it is open to anyone of any age, with or without a ham radio license.  It 
takes place at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park between Newhall and Palmdale, 
California.

The 745-acre site is best known for its incredible rock formations.  Even if 
you’ve never been there, you’ve seen them in more than 150 movies and TV 
shows, including Blazing Saddles, Flintstones, Star Trek, etc.  Many trails weave 
throughout the rocks.  Off-trail vegetation is fairly low, and almost all of it 
is runnable at a good speed.  Constant map contact will be the skill to 
practice while you’re reading off cliff faces and rock piles.  Vasquez Rocks was 
the site of the two-meter ARDF event at the 2004 USA ARDF Championships. 

The ARDF 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 newcomers 
who are capable of walking or running for at least 5 kilometers.  There will 
not be any short-range "beginner" transmitters, nor any 80-meter transmitters. 
 Course-setter Marvin Johnston KE6HTS will be on hand to teach the basic 
techniques of on-foot direction-finding.

This event is being held in parallel with a regular meet of the Los Angeles 
Orienteering Club (LAOC).  The LAOC participation fee, which includes a 
full-color map, 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 course together, in which case the group fee is $7 for LAOC members 
and $9 for non-members.  Electronic registering/scoring will be used, so 
bring your "e-stick."  If you don't have one, you can rent one for the day at the 
start of the hunt.

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 orienteeing 
course in addition to ARDF.  LAOC will not start anyone out after noon.  All 
courses close at 2.30 PM.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is near the town of Agua Dulce, just north of 
the Antelope Valley Freeway.  From the Los Angeles metro, take the 5, 210, 
405, 170, or 118 freeway north until it becomes the northbound I-5.  Continue 
north, then go east on Highway 14 for about fifteen miles.  Exit at Agua Dulce 
Canyon Road and go north.  Follow the road as it turns right and becomes 
Escondido Canyon Road.  Continue past a stop sign for 1/4 mile.  The park entrance 
is on the right.  Continue on the dirt road to the large parking area.

A map to the site is at www.homingin.com.  Questions should be directed to 
marvin at rain.org 

Joe Moell K0OV