[ARDF] Next ARDF at O'Neill Park 2/12/06

[Homingin at aol.com]

The next southern California on-foot transmitter hunting session will be in 
O'Neill Regional Park on Sunday, February 12, 2006.  If you are a beginner, 
there will be entry-level two-meter fox transmitters just for you, set by Joe 
Moell K0OV.  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.  An optional 80-meter fox transmitter will also be on 
the air.

As always, the event is open to anyone of any age, with or without a ham 
radio license.  Experts will be on hand to teach you the basic techniques of 
on-foot radio direction-finding (RDF).

This hunt is a "mix-in" with a regular orienteering meet of the Los Angeles 
Orienteering Club (LAOC).  LAOC fees are charged only for the advanced 
two-meter course.  The beginner course and the 80-meter transmitter hunt are free of 
charge and e-punch is not required for them.

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.  For the advanced ARDF course and classic 
orienteering, 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.  If you have an "e-stick" for 
the advanced course, be sure to bring it, and if not, you can rent one for 
$2.  There are plenty of picnic tables, so you can bring your lunch.

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.  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.

A limited amount of radio direction finding gear will be available for loan.  
If you have receivers, scanners, directional antennas, attenuators, or other 
equipment suitable for on-foot RDF, be sure to bring it.  Make sure all 
batteries are fresh.

Special note to out-of-towners: O'Neill Park allows overnight camping on a 
first-come-first-served basis. 

A navigation map and link to camping information is at www.homingin.com, 
where you can also find results of previous sessions such as December 11 in 
Vasquez Rocks.

73,
Joe Moell K0OV