Amateur Radio Direction Finding – ARDF

What’s it all about?

Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) is the name given to an activity where the participant has to locate a number (usually five) transmitters that have been spread out over a course between four and seven kilometres. The activity is carried out on foot. Transmitters are sequenced on for a minute each and there is a sixth transmitter on a different frequency located at the finish location. Participants are issued with a map and card and there are orienteering style punches (now we are using electronic means of scoring these events and often use an app called Maprun6) at each transmitter. The participant has to clip the card at each transmitter. The shortest time wins. There is a time limit for each
event and participants must reach the finish within this period – overtime is automatic disqualification.

Events are held on two bands – 3.5 MHz and 144 MHz. The frequencies being used are 3.585 and 3.600 MHz on 80 metres and 145.3 and 145.7 MHz on 2 metres.

The Victorian ARDF Group runs regular ARDF events on both bands.

Rules

These events are run according to the International Amateur Radio Union’s Region 3 rules Region 3 rules.

Equipment

What is required is a receiver with a directional antenna that is portable (and reasonably light as you have to carry it around the course). There have been a couple of designs published. Ian Stirling VK3MZ (SK) has designed a very effective 80 metre receiver described in Amateur Radio Magazine for December 1997 (some components no longer available). This was upgraded by Bryan Ackerly VK3YNG and can be found in September 2003 AR. Details are available on the web. Bryan VK3YNG also has an excellent 2 metre design with ready built units available for sale. See Bryans website. – http://foxhunt.com.au/

Event Calendar and Results

Please see the ARDF group’s website for details – www.ardf.org.au