[ARDF] Foxhunting and ARRL, let's show we're serious

[Homingin at aol.com]

It was a pleasant surprise to see foxhunting mentioned as a possible future 
activity of the ARRL Education and Technology Program (ETP) for youth and 
schools.  As ARRL's volunteer ARDF Coordinator, I have been trying for years, as 
have some other hams, to make this happen.  We were rebuffed by former President 
Jim Haynie, who once told me that "foxhunting isn't in the mainstream of 
Amateur Radio."

I'm working to find out what kind of foxhunting activities are now being 
considered by the ETP.  At the same time, I'm concerned that there may not be 
enough interest and support among you T-hunters and radio-orienteers out there to 
support a national program.  It's going to take knowledgeable and dedicated 
folks all over the country to mentor the kids and their teachers.

There's no reason to wait for ARRL headquarters.  The Scouting community is 
glad to have our involvement right now.  Over the years, hams in Santa Barbara, 
Long Beach, Albuquerque, Portland and a few other places have put on 
foxhunting events just for the Scouts at Jamboree-on-the-air (JOTA) and at 
Scout-O-Ramas.  I have written about these activities in my magazine columns and in my 
Web site.  Yet it doesn't seem to be catching on.  Actually, it appears to be 
diminishing.  I wrote a special article for ARRL Web last October titled "Try 
Foxhunting at JOTA This Year" and I asked for photos and stories from clubs who 
did so.  Other than the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, there wasn't any 
response.

80 meters?  2 meters?  UHF?  GMRS?  I have some definite ideas about which 
bands and what equipment works well for foxhunting, because I put on several 
hunts for youth and Scouts every year and I try something new every time.  I 
challenge all of you to get out there and start working with your local schools 
and Scouts, too.  ARRL HQ follows much better than it leads.  So don't just sit 
by, waiting for the Newington folks.

Let's fill this reflector with stories of successful 2007 foxhunting events 
for youth, both ham and non-ham.  Not only will that give us real knowledge of 
what works best, it will go a long way toward convincing ARRL leadership what 
foxhunting has to offer the ETP.

73,
Joe Moell K0OV
www.homingin.com

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