Radio Society of Great Britain
Regional Event

Introduction
This is an 80m DF event intended for newcomers and returners as ARDF re-starts after the Corona Virus lock-down. The event will be conducted with social distancing and a format that ensures zero contact between participants.

Sunday 22nd May - Fosse Meadows Country Park, South Leicestershire

Venue:

The event will take place at Fosse Meadows Country Park near Sharnford and next to the ancient Roman Fosse Way at a point where this is just a country road and not the A46. Click here for a map showing the location.

There are two car parks and we will be using the most southerly of these. The area is best approached from the north.

Format:
The key elements are as follows:

- the series will use the 80m amateur band for the hidden transmitters.

- there will be five hidden transmitters deployed.

- the five hidden transmitters send for one minute and one after the other, all on the same frequency.

- 80m receivers with a built in directional antenna will be available on loan. These receivers will have the exterior sanitised before issue to the borrower. There are 10 of these available for loan, so please contact the organiser before the event if you wish to avail yourself of a loan receiver.

- there will be no charge to participate.

- proof of finding each transmitter will be to record a letter of the alphabet on a marker flat on the ground adjacent to the transmitter. The site will also have a 15cm orienteering marker in position.
The letters recorded will be reported aurally to the finish marshall after finishing.

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

- there will be TWO categories at this event
Category 1 is for beginners who get the map at registration and can take bearings before they cross the start line. Once their bearings are given the 'good to go' by one of the mentors, they can get a start time and go out onto the course.
Category 2 is for more experienced competitors who get the map at the start 5 minutes prior to their actual start time.

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 can be taped. Electrical tape works pretty well for this.

- 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:

1000 Registration opens. Information sheets issued to all competitors
1030 First starter.
1130 Last starter
1330 Course closes.
Time allowed 2 hours. (If you are over this time you will be classified below anyone inside the time even if you have found more transmitters)

Help and Tuition for competitors in Category 1:

- there will be tuition on how to operate the 'sense' feature on the 80m DF receiver.

- there will be some roving helpers in the area who could come to your aid if there are things that you need clarifying during the competition.

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

The next event:

Sunday 19th June at Donisthorpe Woodland Park

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 walkers, for dog-walking and by the general public. Please be courteous to all other users in the wood.