Event Information

William B. Umstead State Park, part of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Divison of Parks and Recreation, is sandwiched between the towns of Raleigh, Durham, and Cary, with RDU International Airport on its western border. Wide selections of accommodations, restaurants and diversions are located close by. 

Umstead State Park is large, with over 5300 acres (2145 hectares) of trails, trees, and plenty of hills. Despite its proximity to civilization, the park is surprisingly secluded. It is the favorite site for local orienteering events, and the maps provided by the Backwoods Orienteering Klub (BOK) are detailed and accurate.

Safety in the Woods

Although it has the word "park" in its name, Umstead State Park is a forest, and it has all the beauty and the hazards associated with Southeastern woodlands. Fortunately, the hazards can be managed with a little preparation. Please visit the sites below to learn how to be safe while out on the courses.

http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/wium/safety.html

Poison Ivy

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/796_ivy.html http://gorp.away.com/gorp/health/oakivfaq.htm

Ticks

http://www.dph.state.ct.us/BCH/infectiousdise/tickborne/tick.htm

One word of caution when using DEET products - the chemical can melt certain plastics, including the plastics used for radio receivers and compasses! The event organizers recommend applying Permethrin-based products to clothing the day before the event. Be sure to follow product instructions carefully.

Permethrin: http://www.permethrin-repellent.com/home.htm

Venomous Snakes

Yes, snakes exist in the park, but they are rarely seen, and even less often do they bite. The species of snake you are most likely to encounter are not venomous, and pose no threat to you. But venomous snakes do live in the park, and you should know what to do should you encounter one. 

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/Pests/reptiles/venomousnake.htm

Friday April 7, 2006 - Arrival Day

All Friday activities except the Event Briefing are optional. 
Contact the organizers if you cannot attend the Event Briefing.

12:00 noon - 4:00 PM
2M and 80M Practice Session - Note: Everyone is welcome to attend. No entry fee.
Location: William B. Umstead State Park, South End Picnic Shelter #2
Directions from Baymont Inn Hotel: Take I-40 East to Exit 287 (Harrison Ave exit), then Left (North) on Harrison 1/4-mile (500m) to park entrance. Proceed straight to main parking lot.

5:00 PM
Event briefing (everyone welcome).
Location: South End Picnic Shelter #2 

• Introduce Jury Members.
• What to expect during event and rules briefing.
• Briefing on the Starting process.
• Safety briefing.
• Maps and directions to competition start locations.
• Any information about events that needs to be disseminated.
• Question and answer session.
• Bib's handed out to contestants.
• Announce and post the starting order.

~5:00 PM-7:30 PM
Picnic banquet at same location South End Picnic Shelter #2.

Saturday April 8, 2006 - 2M Competition

8:00 AM
Competitors arrive at South End Picnic Shelter #2

8:05 AM
Transportation of competitors to Start Location

10:00 AM
Start of 2M Event

(Snacks and water will be waiting for participants at the finish line.)

Last person crossing finish line
Jury meets and certifies results.

4:00 PM+
Free time
Picnic banquet has been moved to Friday!

Sunday April 9, 2006 - 80M Competition

7:00 AM
Competitors arrive at North End Picnic Shelter #1

7:05 AM
Transportation of competitors to Start Location

9:00 AM
Start of 80M Event

(Snacks and water will be waiting for participants at the finish line.)

Last person crossing finish line
Jury meets and certifies results.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (time is approximate)
Award presentation at North End Picnic Shelter #1

Region I ARDF Rules

Because no official rules exist for IARU Region 2, the Sixth USA ARDF Championships in Raleigh, NC will use the current Region I ARDF rules. Any exceptions to those rules will be detailed below.

Region I Rules Part A

Region I Rules Part B

Rules Additions, Deletions and Clarifications

Competition Site Embargo in Effect Immediately

William B. Umstead State Park is off limits to all competitors in the 2006 USA ARDF Championships. No one who intends to enter a competitive category in the 2006 USA ARDF Championships may enter William B. Umstead State Park (except for paved roads and designated picnic areas within 300 meters of the paved parking lots) between the dates of August 1, 2005 and the date of the competition.

Transmitter Details

2M foxes: approx. freq. 144.2 MHz, AM modulation (keyed carrier)
2M homing: approx. freq. 144.8 MHz, AM modulation (keyed carrier)
80M foxes: approx. freq. 3580 kHz, CW modulation
80M homing: approx. freq. 3560 kHz, CW modulation

Transmitters will identify with a call sign identification at the start of each 1-minute transmission, and will send a long "dah" filling the final few seconds of each transmission.

Map Details

Scale: 15000:1
Paper size: 8.5" x 11" (21.6 cm x 28 cm)
Contour interval: 3 meters
Exclusion circles will be pre-drawn

Required Transmitters

The required transmitters differ from the Region I rules for certain categories. The variation from Region I was necessary in order to ensure appropriate course lengths for all categories given the restrictions imposed by natural features and layout of the park. Those controls that differ from Region I rules are shown in red in the tables below.

Special note: the M60 category will skip transmitters #1 and #4 on 2M, but will skip transmitters #1 and #3 on 80M.

Transmitters to be skipped will be indicated on each competitor's control punch card.

2M Controls Required
M19	1	2	X	4	5
M21	1	2	3	4	5
M40	1	X	3	4	5
W19,M50	1	2	3	X	5
M60	X	2	3	X	5
W21	1	2	3	4	X
W35	X	2	3	4	5
W50	1	2	3	X	X

80M Controls Required
M19	1	2	X	4	5
M21	1	2	3	4	5
M40	1	X	3	4	5
W19,M50	1	2	3	X	5
M60	X	2	X	4	5
W21	1	2	3	4	X
W35	X	2	3	4	5
W50	1	2	3	X	X

 

Time Limit

180 Minutes for all categories

Suggested Lodging

Group rates for lodging on the nights of April 6, 7, and 8 have been arranged at Baymont Inn, Morrisville, NC. When making reservations request a room for the USA ARDF Championships. Rates are $75 per night, double occupancy. Those who are seeking a roommate to help share the room cost may contact the organizers for assistance getting in touch with others seeking the same. 

Baymont Inn
1001 Aerial Center Parkway
Raleigh, NC 27560
Phone: (919) 481-3600
Fax: (919) 460-1584

The Baymont Inn provides complimentary airport shuttle service. The event organizers will arrange for transportation between the hotel and the competition venue for competitors and guests without vehicles. Please contact the organizers if you will require transportation, or if you have any difficulty making reservations.

If you are looking for other options that will let you stay very close to the Baymont Inn, you have several choices:

La Quinta - Hampton Inn - Holiday Inn Express - Residence Inn - Microtel Inn & Suites
- Marriott Courtyard - Days Inn -

Other Lodging Options

- Motel 6 in Cary, NC - Embassy Suites in Cary, NC - 

- Map of other motels near RDU - List of RDU area motels -

At the 2006 USA ARDF Championships, competitors will be expected to provide their own transportation during their stay, as is customary at many American orienteering events. Competitors who need to arrange transportation to the event site, or to-and-from the airport should contact the organizers at the time of registration.

In order to simplify transportation arrangements and minimize costs, the organizers encourage all visitors to stay at the suggested lodging. For visitors who need (or prefer) for transportation to be provided, the organizers have arranged for transportation between that hotel and the competition venue on the competition days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Having most competitors housed in or near the same lodging should make it easier to arrange for ride-sharing, as well as socializing.

Air Travel

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

Rental Cars

At RDU

Rent-a-Wreck (longer term rentals)

Taxi

To and From RDU

Other Transportation Options

Amtrak (Cary or Raleigh Station)

Driving Directions

Google Map of RDU Area - Mapquest

Suggested Restaurants Near RDU

Breakfast: Baymont Inn (Complimentary Continental Breakfast)

Lunch: Prime Outlet Mall Food Court (many restaurants to choose from)

Dinner: 
      Best BBQ but far away: Smithfield's Bar-B-Q (20 miles from Baymont Inn)
      Closest BBQ: Davis Family Bar-B-Q (2.6 miles from Baymont Inn)
      Close and good: N.Y. Pizza (3.8 miles from Baymont Inn)

Other Restaurant Ideas

9th Street in Durham - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts & Coffee

Carolina Barbecue (Bar-B-Q): Here's a list with reviews!

Things to See and Do

The Piedmont region of North Carolina is known for its trees, lakes, farms, and excellent ARDF events. It can be fun to take a drive in the country just to experience the bucolic beauty of this part of North Carolina. There are historic towns and destinations sprinkled throughout the area. If you've got some extra miles to burn on your rental car, there's a lot more to see within a 2 or 3 hours drive of the airport. Below is an eclectic mix of suggestions. Enjoy!

Local

Visit Raleigh - Visit Durham - Visit Chapel Hill - NC Museum of Art - Virtual Raleigh

Bynum, NC - City Search Guide

Mountains

Waterfalls Galore! (>300 miles/480 km) You'll need to plan at least one full extra day with rental car for this.

Mount Mitchell - Highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains! - Don't worry, it is not located inside Umstead State Park. But the Blue Ridge Parkway is part of the route to the mount. (~240 miles/384 km from RDU airport)

Asheville, NC and the Biltmore Estate (~235 miles/376 km from RDU airport)

Ocean

Cape Hateras Lighthouse (~200 miles/320 km from RDU airport)

Wright Brothers NP / Kitty Hawk (~229 miles/370 km from RDU airport)

Wilmington, NC / Cape Fear / Beaches (~140 miles/224 km from RDU airport)

History

Hillsborough, NC historic areas (~26 miles/42 km from RDU airport)

Pittsboro, NC / Chatham County historic areas (~32 miles/51 km from RDU airport)

Visit Andy and Opey in Mayberry! (~130 miles/208 km from RDU airport)

 

The Registration Form is available in two formats:

2006 USA ARDF Registration.PDF (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

2006 USA ARDF Registration.DOC (MS Word Format)

The registration deadline was March 1, 2006. But late registrants might still be accommodated. Please contact the organizers right away if you would like to take part in the 2006 USA Championships.

Please print one of the Registration Forms above, complete and mail it with your registration fee to:

Backwoods Orienteering Klub Inc.
USA ARDF Championships Registration
904 Dorothea Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603
U.S.A.

Registration Fee: US$99

Make checks payable to:

"Backwoods Orienteering Klub Inc."

*Registration fee does not cover transportation to the event, housing, or meals. T-shirts and box lunches may be covered by the registration fee if the total number of registrants, and sponsor contributions, allow those items to be included. Registrants will be informed by E-mail once a decision is made regarding any additional cost associated with those items. Please regularly visit this web site for the most current information.  

Organizers' Contact Information

E-mail: ardf@earthlink.net

Phone: 919-388-1731

Snail Mail:

2006 USA ARDF Championships
c/o Charles Scharlau
P.O. Box 516
Cary, NC 27512
USA

Suggested Local Repeaters

146.640 MHz, FM, PL=88.5 Hz (busier machine, easier to raise help)
146.775 MHz, FM, PL=88.5 Hz (quieter machine, better for longer chats)

Suggested Local Simplex Frequency

147.42 MHz, FM