| It was back to beautiful Umstead State Park at Camp Whispering Pines,
on a crisp late-fall afternoon, for this transmitter hunt. The pines seemed
to be whispering "br-r-r-r-r it's cold". Because of the chilly temperatures,
and brisk breeze, an abbreviated course was used. Three transmitters were
placed near control points of the Yellow orienteering course. Two transmitters
were kept at the starting point to familiarize hunters, and curious visitors,
with the transmitters used in these events.
The hunt, like all of the on-foot transmitter hunts sponsored by the
Backwoods Orienteering Klub (BOK), was similar to an international-style
Amateur Radio Direction Finding competition. However, the course was short
(roughly one mile), and two of the three controls were located along major
trails running through the woods, so little off-trail hiking was required.
No decoys or other distractions were placed on the course. A transmitter
was placed within 10 meters of three of the orange-and-white control marks
on the "Yellow" orienteering course. The transmitters were the same Alinco
DJ-S11 HTs, with Montreal Fox Controllers used during previous hunts, and
they identified with a voice ID.
Hunters were given the choice of using a "normal" map of the forest,
or they could choose a map on which the locations of the control points
were marked. The map with the control points marked revealed the approximate
locations of the transmitters, allowing hunters to use a map and compass
to get close to the transmitters: an excellent way to learn the orienteering
aspect of this sport while becoming familiar with the radio equipment.
The majority of the Cornejo family braved the weather conditions to
try their first transmitter hunt. David (KG4IVB), Alli, Luke, and Roger
used two tape measure beam antennas to track down the transmitters in a
very respectable 75 minutes. You can read the orienteering club's description
of this event at http://www.treklite.com/bok/news/event-00-12-10.htm.
|