A transmitter was placed within 10 meters of five of the orange-and-white control marks on the "white" beginners course. Hunters were to use the orienteering score cards, and patterned punches, for recording their finds. The transmitters were the same Alinco DJ-S11 HTs, with Montreal Fox Controllers, used during previous hunts. The controls were all located along major trails running through the park, so no off-trail hiking was required. No decoys or other distractions were placed on the course.

If there had been receivers to lend, there would certainly have been some participants in this event. Unfortunately, there were no orienteers with ham-band receivers, nor hams with walking shoes. Still, the equipment on hand attracted the attention of the orienteers, and I had a chance meeting with a Civil Air Patrol member. So it was a worthwhile exercise. Plans are being made to have several complete sets of transmitter hunting equipment (including receivers) available for loan, beginning this fall.

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

Mark September 10 on your calendar for the next 2-meter on-foot hunt. The September hunt will also be held at Umstead State Park. More details will be posted to the Piedmont Transmitter Tracking web site, and via e-mail. You can also find more information at the BOK website.