Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Where can I find out more about Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF)?
2.  Are beginners welcome to compete in the Championships?
3.  How difficult are the courses?
4.  Can I just attend the practice session?
5.  Where can I find information on repeaters in the Raleigh area?
6.  What else can I do while visiting North Carolina?
7.  What is North Carolina weather like in April?
8.  How can I try ARDF when I don't have any equipment?
9.  Can I visit Umstead State Park before the competition?
10. What the heck is a Tar Heel?
11. No, really, what is a Tar Heel?
12. Why all the hubbub about North Carolina Bar-B-Q?
13. I don't see my question here. Where can I find an answer?

 
Photo: 2005 Region II ARDF Championships, Albuquerque, NM.
 

Raleigh Amateur Radio Links

Raleigh Amateur Radio Society - The largest and most active club in the area. Lots of information on local repeaters and other local ham info.

Cary Amateur Radio Club - A smaller club with a tradition of being big on T-hunting.

Durham FM Association - More repeater links, plus mugs and T-shirts.

Suggested repeaters and frequencies to use during the event.

NC Weather and Climate

Raleigh Climate Information - April is a fine time to visit the North Carolina Piedmont.

Current Raleigh Weather Conditions - See what the weather is like at the competition site.

Weather Camera - See the weather for yourself.

North Carolina State Facts - More information than you'll ever remember.

Venue Links

William B. Umstead State Park - The site for the competition. You can look, but don't visit before April!

The Umstead Coalition - The Coalition's mission is to preserve the natural integrity of William B. Umstead State Park.

 

 

 

Other ARDF and T-hunting Links

Wikipedia ARDF - A good history and description of ARDF

IARU Region 2 ARDF Website

Piedmont Transmitter Tracking ARDF in the Tar Heel State

Georgia Radio Orienteering - ARDF in the Peach State

Texas ARDF - Radio Direction Finding in the Lone Star State

Albuquerque Transmitter Hunters - ARDF in the Land of Enchantment.

Joe Moell's (KØ0V) Website - All kinds of radio direction finding

San Francisco Bay-Area T-Hunting

Mike Urich's ARDF page

The ARDF Web Ring -- Got a T-Hunting website? Join this webring!

 

More Details About the USA Championships

Who May Compete

There are no entry restrictions. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for earning the "US Champion" designation. All nationalities are welcome to compete, and are eligible for "Overall Champion" awards.

If you are interested in trying ARDF just for fun, consider attending the practice session on April 7. If you would also like to run the championship courses for fun, please contact the organizers. If there is enough interest expressed in a "recreational" category, special accommodations can be made for "fun runners".

Course Difficulty

The competition courses will be designed to be challenging, with plenty of hills, and a total course length up to 10 km (6.25 miles) measured using straight-line distance between transmitters. You should be in good physical condition, and have at least intermediate-level orienteering skills, if you plan to try the competition courses.

Practice Session

The practice session on April 7 will be short in length, with most transmitters placed within 1 km (0.6 miles) of the start location. Only a few transmitters will be placed on the air. The practice courses will be designed to allow competitors to test their equipment prior to the competition.

Visitors and beginners might like to participate in the practice session to get a flavor of what ARDF is really like. There will be no charge or registration fee for the practice session. But please fill out a registration form to let the organizers know that you plan to attend the practice.
 
Photo: 2005 Region II ARDF Championships, Albuquerque, NM. Courtesy Joe Moell, KØOV

Previous Championships

2005 - 3rd Region II
 Albuquerque, New Mexico

2004 - 4th USA
 Southern California

2003 - 2nd Region II
 Cincinnati, Ohio

2002 - 2nd USA
 Pine Mountain, Georgia

2001 - 1st USA
Albuquerque, New Mexico

1999 - 1st Region II
Portland, Oregon