Radio Society of Great Britain
Regional Event

Sunday 13th June 2021- Baggeridge Country Park
(near Sedgley, West Midlands)

Summary
This will comprise an 80m DF event planned primarily for newcomers and returners to ARDF. It will be followed by a 2m DF event for all comers, including experienced competitors (subject to demand).

There will be mentors on hand to help participants master the “sense” procedure for resolving the 180 degree ambiguity on 80m mentioned in the recent Webinar.

Venue:
The event will take place at Baggeridge Country Park, near Sedgley. Click here for a map showing the location of the Country Park entrance.

This is at Gospel End on the A463 between Sedgley and Wombourne. Nearest Post Code is DY3 4HB, NGR SO898936 and whatthreewords are last.able.crass. It is about 20 mins drive from M5 Jn 2.

Directions:
Use the information above to work out your own optimum route, depending on where you are coming from! There is a long, narrow approach road to the car parks. There are several parking areas, and it may not be possible to provide signs to our base, which will be in the “bottom” car park, furthest from the entrance.

After entering the first car park, look for the narrow ramp down to the middle car park, and then at the end of this one you will find another ramp which leads down to the bottom car park. Then look for the Radio-O flag.

You must obtain a car park ticket from the machines in the first or middle car parks. This costs £3.00 all day, and you will need to come prepared with the correct money (coins only!) and key in your registration number. Parking tickets are enforced.

Registration:
Registration will be in the bottom car park. No participation fees – your car park fees cover the cost of access to the area.

Format:
A basic 5 transmitter 80m course in the morning which is suitable for beginners. This will be followed in the afternoon by a more difficult 2m course, catering mainly for more experienced participants. Probably self timing if desired, and proof of finding a transmitter will be to record a letter of the alphabet on a marker nearby. The site of each transmitter will be marked with a 15cm orienteering flag.

There will be no distance restrictions in this area. Transmitters may be placed anywhere in the "in bounds" area of the map.

Start Procedure:
Simple informal arrangements will apply, This day is all about listening and learning what to do. In addition there is the opportunity to practice different techniques of tracking down a transmitter.

Loan Receivers:
ARDF receivers may be borrowed without charge (unless you lose it when the charge is £40). Please bring your own headphones (3.5mm stereo jack).

What to bring and what to wear:

- wear clothing suitable for walking around in woodland.

- bring one of those compasses with a rectangular base plate

- bring some sort of lightweight A4 board onto which the map (supplied) can be taped. Electrical tape works pretty well for this.

- clear plastic bag or covering to protect the map if it rains

- bring a spirit pen to draw bearings onto the map. Red is best because red is not used on the map print.

- bring a whistle to summon help should you fall and incapacitate yourself. The alarm signal is 6 short blasts repeated at one minute intervals.

- please provide your own headphones (3.5mm plug).

Timings:

Registration open from 1000

A flexible timetable will be followed: the 2m course will be open after the 80m course.

Event closed by 1530.

Help and Tuition:

There will be tuition on how to operate the “sense” feature on the 80m DF receiver, and general support to help you to develop direction finding techniques.

- check out the RSGB web site (www.rsgb.org>main site>onthe air>ARDF>Hints & Tips)

Map:

Orienteering map scale 1:7500 on A4 paper (NOT waterproof). North lines are separated by 250m. Map is substantially up-to-date

Terrain

Although mostly occupying the site of a former coal mine, this is a surprisingly attractive undulating area with lakes and some natural woodland. Play areas and a model railway are out-of-bounds. A small part is marked out-of-bounds to protect orchids which are flowering at this time of year. A small fenced enclosure containing goats should not be entered – this tends to move around to vary their grazing and may not be correctly marked on the map. There are no public roads in the event area.

Facilities

There are toilets and a café.

Safety

Competitors are responsible for their own safety and take part at their own risk. A whistle should be carried and the emergency signal is 6 short blasts on the whistle, repeated at one minute intervals.
The area is used by families, for dog-walking and by the general public. Expect to meet mountain bikers and horses along the paths. Do not frighten the horses or riders. Give them plenty of warning of your approach, especially from behind. Please be courteous to all other users of the area. Take care near the lakes and ponds. There are some extremely steep and slippery slopes in places, where great care will be needed and these should be avoided if you are unsure of your footing. You are unlikely to get totally lost in this area.

Contact

Please contact ardf.chairman@rsgb.org.uk if you wish to borrow a loan receiver for80m and/or 2m

General enquiries Robert Vickers G3ORI rvhoc@btinternet.com

Planner David Williams M3WDD