[SIERA] Seventh USA Championships of A R Direction Finding

[Dick Flanagan]

USA ARDF Championships near Lake Tahoe in September

Here's an opportunity to spend a weekend in the mountains of California
and immerse yourself in international-rules on-foot transmitter
hunting.  Registration is now open for the Seventh USA Championships of
Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF), which take place September 14 -
16, 2007 near South Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border.  The
best radio-orienteers in the USA will be there, but the courses will
also be open to anyone at any radio foxhunting
skill level, with or without a ham radio license.

The competition courses for this event will be in the same forests
where the United States Orienteering Federation held its 2003 national
championships of classic orienteering.  The maps are excellent.  The
forest area is open again
after the June wildfire, and our course areas appear to be undamaged.

South Lake Tahoe is 35 miles from Carson City, Nevada, 64 miles from
Reno, Nevada and 117 miles from Sacramento, California.

The championships get under way on Friday with practice and equipment
testing sessions, followed by a meeting for orientation and rules
review.  The two-meter foxhunting contest will take place on Saturday,
after which all will
gather for a banquet in the evening.  Sunday's schedule includes the
80-meter contest and an awards ceremony, timed to end in mid-afternoon
to accommodate those who must hurry home.

Event headquarters will be at Camp Concord in the El Dorado National
Forest, near Mount Tallac.  An inexpensive package including two nights
of lodging in the rustic cabins and five group meals is being offered
to event registrants.
Camp Concord is fully accredited by the American Camping Association,
but for those who would prefer more amenities, several motels are
available within three to five miles.

National ARDF Championships are for individuals only.  No teaming or
assistance on the course is permitted.  Participants are divided into
five age categories for males and four age categories for females in
accordance with standard IARU rules.  Medals for first, second and
third places will be awarded in each category on each band.

Even if you have never competed in an ARDF event before, you will be
welcomed at the USA Championships.  USA's best radio-orienteers are
expected to attend, and they are always helpful to newcomers.  To
provide even more learning
opportunities, there will be an ARDF training camp nearby on September
12 and 13.

The registration form and more information is at <www.homingin.com>
along with a photo page of Camp Concord.  Please pass this announcement
on to local transmitter hunters and ham clubs.  See you there!

Joe Moell K0OV
USA ARDF Coordinator
homingin at aol.com
www.homingin.com
--
Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
k7vc at arrl.org