Piedmont Transmitter Tracking

William B. Umstead State Park, 
Camp Whispering Pines
December 10, 2000
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.
 

Results
Team or Individual Call Club Course* Score Time
minutes
David Cornejo
Alli Cornejo
Luke Cornejo
Roger Cornejo
KG4IVB Guy B. Phillips
Middle School
Ham Club
map w/
controls
3 75
*see text for course explanation

Congratulations to the Cornejo family! Many thanks to the Backwoods Orienteering Klub (BOK) of Raleigh for sponsoring this event, and agreeing to have transmitter hunting as a part of future BOK events.

Mark January 21, 2001 on your calendar for the next 2-meter on-foot hunt. The venue for the January hunt will be William B. Umstead State Park, Reedy Creek picnic area. More details can be found on the Piedmont Transmitter Tracking web site, and via e-mail.

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