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What
is T-Hunting & ARDF?
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What is T-Hunting and ARDF?Transmitter Hunting Transmitter Hunting (also known as T-Hunting, fox hunting, radio direction finding) is a popular activity among Amateur Radio operators where a transmitter - usually on the 2-meter band - is actually hidden somewhere and is "hunted" (found) using radio direction finding techniques. The transmitter is usually on the air intermittently, and automatically identifies either in Morse code or voice. Amateurs participating in transmitter hunts start at a common start point (click here for a map to the start point used in Albuquerque), and the fun begins!
To put a rumor to rest, you do not need expensive equipment for transmitter hunting! All you need is a 2-meter receiver (an HT will do), an attenuator and a directional antenna (yagi, quad, etc.). Other items that can help, but aren't necessary, are a laminated map of Albuquerque, a compass, a protractor and some refreshments! Most of the equipment just mentioned can be built for a rather cheap price, and it performs exceptionally. Be sure to check out the homebrew equipment plans found on this website. Transmitter hunting is both a fun and a serious activity. The "winner" of a an Albuquerque transmitter hunt is determined by the person who finds the transmitter with the least amount of mileage driven. The winner is then the person who hides the transmitter on the next hunt (know as the huntmaster). T-Hunters also use their skills to locate downed airplanes, boaters in distress, and sources of radio interference, unlicensed operators and jammers. T-hunters use competitions like our bi-monthly hunts to test their equipment and practice their skills in preparation for more serious situations. Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF)
Team Albuquerque received the following medals at the event Gold M40 VHF and HF,Gold F35 VHF and HF, Silver M40 VHF, Bronze M40 VHF and HF. Good job team!
The Albuquerque Amateur Radio Club is currently holding practice sessions once a month at our mountain venue's in the northern end of the Manzano mountains just east of Albuquerque. We are using a 1:15000 scale 5 color orienteering map for ARDF site 1 and a 1:10000 scale 5 color orienteering map for ARDF site 2. Per international ARDF rules, 5 controls and a homing beacon are set on our hunts. Yes we can find the finish with out one, but's it's a safety issue and the ARDF rules require one. For VHF hunts the canyons at the sites provides excellent multipath training. The site also allows setting long 80 meter courses with elevation changes up to 440 feet depending on the layout of the course. If you are going to be in the Albuquerque area please contacts us for more information for session dates.
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When
the transmitter is on the air, the hunters "take bearings"
using directional antennas by determining the direction where the signal
is the strongest. This is done throughout the hunt until the transmitter
is found. Usually, driving to the immediate area of the hidden transmitter
is part of the game. One there, the remainder of the hunt takes place
on foot while you "sniff" out the actual location of the hidden-T.
ARDF
is an increasingly popular flavor of T-Hunting that takes place on 80-meters
as well as 2-meters. These types of hunts usually take place in large
parks and forested areas. Unlike traditional T-hunting where driving
is involved, ARDF hunts take place only on foot and require some orienteering
skills. Participants are grouped in age categories, which determine
the number of transmitters they are required to locate. Five transmitters
are tuned to the same frequency and transmit in sequence, each of them
on for a minute. The object is to find the number of transmitters required
(according to the age category the hunter is competing in) in the quickest
time possible, and without timing out. A maximum time is set, usually
around 2 hours, to finish the course, otherwise the competitor is disqualified.
Usually the 2-meter hunt takes place on one day, and the 80-meter hunt
on another.
Participants
of an ARDF event are shuttled to a designated common start point, and
all of their equipment is impounded until the moment each are assigned
to be individually launched from the start point. At that time, they
are given a standard orienteering map of the area and a control card,
and then launched. The clock begins for that particular competitor.
After running a minimum distance, the participant is allowed to switch
on his or her DFing equipment and take bearings of each of the transmitters
they are required to find as they transmit in sequence. They may use
no equipment that can give them or other competitors an unfair advantage,
such as transmitting equipment, GPS receivers, cameras that produce
instant photography, etc.
Each
transmitter has a standard orange and white orienteering flag hanging
overhead so it is visible a short distance away. Attached to the flag
is a standard orienteering punch, which is essentially a paper punch
with needles arranged in a unique pattern, used to punch control cards.
When a participant finds a transmitter, he or she punches their control
card to prove that they physically found the transmitter. Then they
take off and located the next one. After all of the required transmitters
have been located, then they must run to a designated finish point,
which is denoted on their map. The finish point has a transmitter on
a seperate frequency that is used solely as a homing beacon, in case
a hunter becomes disoriented in the field. When the competitor crosses
the finish line, his or her finishing time is recorded, and is ranked
among the other competitors. Usually the first three competitors in
each category receive a prize, depending on the event.
The
Albuquerque Transmitter Hunters and the Albuquerque Amateur Radio Club
proudly hosted the first United States ARDF Championship in Manzano
State Park, located in the beautiful Manzano mountains in the summer
of 2001. Over 30 participants from across the USA, Ukraine, Australia
and China participated and had a wonderful time!