[FoxHunt] SoCal Radio-O results 2/16/02

[foxhunt@mailman.qth.net]

It was a perfect day for radio-orienteering at Hillcrest Park in Fullerton.  
The overcast and early morning drizzle gave way to wispy clouds and cool 
temperatures.

Coming from San Diego to Santa Barbara and east to Lancaster and Yucca 
Valley, fifteen hams signed in and took to the course.  There were a total of 
ten fox transmitters awaiting them, including five "advanced" two-meter units 
on 146.565 MHz in an IARU-rules sequence, four more "beginner" two-meter 
foxboxes on different frequencies, plus an 80-meter bonus fox.

Hunters were free to go after as many transmitters as they wished, as 
individuals or in teams.  Some of them, including KE6HTS, KF6IKO, and W6JAY, 
were "going for score" as they practiced for the upcoming USA National 
Championships in Atlanta and sought positions on ARDF Team USA for the World 
Championships in Slovakia.  Others were just "getting their feet wet," but 
they would be welcome in Atlanta also.

Hillcrest Park is an ideal venue for practicing and learning.  It's only 40 
acres, but the steep hills add physical difficulty and make it easy to 
conceal transmitters so that hunters don't see others finding them.

The two-meter results below show elapsed time and number of foxes found in 
that time.

Name & Call                Time    Begin   Adv

Tony Boegeman WA6ZMZ      1:22:58    4      5
with Joe Corones N6SZO

Marvin Johnston KE6HTS    1:04:08    0      5

Jay Thompson W6JAY        1:11:26    0      5

Scott Moore KF6IKO        2:07:45    0      5

John Panner KD6CQR        2:29:00    0      5

Travis Wood KG6AUR        2:05:48    0      4

Richard Thompson WA6NOL   0:57:50    0      3

Frank Shannon KR6AL       0:55:15    5      0
with Art Tanaka WA6TKO

Alvin Artis KG6IUB        3:01:34    2      0
with Daniel Artis KG6IUC

Bill Smathers KG6HXX      1:19:25    Lost card

Phill Locke KE6LQO        0:47:50    Lost card

Hunters were faster on 80 meters because there was only one transmitter and 
it was on all the time.  Also, 80m signals "hug the earth" and don't bounce 
from hills, buildings, and so forth.

Here are the 80m finders and their times.  (A couple of other hunters punched 
in at the 80m transmitter, thinking it was one of the 2m foxes.  Verify the 
signal before you punch!)

Marvin Johnston KE6HTS    0:06:50
Scott Moore KF6IKO        0:07:02
Richard Thompson WA6NOL   0:13:33
John Panner KD6CQR        0:42:30
Tuck Miller NZ6T          1:02:38

A dozen photos of the action are at www.homingin.com

Thanks for coming out.  The next event will be announced soon.

Joe Moell K0OV
USA ARDF Coordinator