Radio Society of Great Britain
Regional Event

Sunday 6th June - Hodgemoor Woods, between Amersham and Beaconsfield.

Summary
This is an 80m DF event intended for newcomers and returners as ARDF re-starts after the Corona Virus lock-down.

There will be four different DF activities on four different frequencies and with graded difficulty.
There will be mentors on hand to help participants master the 'sense' procedure for resolving the 180 degree ambiguity mentioned in the recent Webinar.

Venue:

The event will take place at Hodgemoor Woods near Chalfont St Giles . Click here for a map showing the location.

Parking is in the car park at the above location. Nearest Post Code is HP7 0JX (0.3km west of the car park), NGR SU967938 and whatthreewords are lodge-gone-achieving.

Directions:

From the M40 J2 (Beaconsfield) take the A355 North for 0.4 miles. Continue 0.3 miles along the A40 towards Beaconsfield. At the first roundabout in Beaconsfield turn right to rejoin the A355 towards Amersham. After 2.6 miles Harte & Magpie Public House will appear on the left. Just after the pub is a turning right where access to Botterells Lane will be found. Continue up the hill along part of a single track road for 0.7 miles where until you see a car park sign posted 'Hodgemoor Woods'.

Registration:

Registration is located around the car park area.

Format:
The four 'courses' or activities are as follows and on the frequencies given.

- Activity 1: Locate the fast keyed beacon on 3.58 MHz (sending MO (dah dah - dah dah dah)).

- Activity 2: Locate the slow keyed beacon on 3.54 MHz (sending MO (dah dah - dah dah dah)).

- Activity 3: Locate the two hidden transmitters sending for 60 sec each, in a two minute cycle on 3.52 MHz

- Activity 4: Locate the four or possibly 5 transmitters in a 2.5 minute cycle on 3.56 MHz

The tuning control calibration on the loan receivers is rubbish! Please check with one of the mentors that you are listening to the correct transmission before setting out on any of the above activities.

There will be no charge to participate.

There will be no timing but proof of finding each transmitter in activities 3 and 4 will be to record a letter of the alphabet on a marker beside the transmitter.The site of each transmitter will have a 15cm orienteering marker in position.

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

Start Procedure

Start when you like after some instruction. Make sure you know how to use the sense feature on the receivers and that you are listening to the correct transmission for the activity.
This day is all about listening and learning what to do. In addition there is the opportunity to practise different techniques of tacking 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 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.

- 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. All transmitters come on the air
1030 First starter.
1200 Last starter
1300 Courses closes.

Help and Tuition:

- 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)

Map

ISOM 2017 Scale 1:7500 A4 Waterproof paper. North lines are separated by 250m. Map is dated 2019 but little has changed in the intervening two years

Terrain

Hodgemoor Woods is an undulating area of forest on a side of a hill. It contains some of the largest depressions in the Chilterns. Generally a deciduous wood, especially now as the forestry commission have recently claimed some of their conifers. Generally runnable, though patches of fern and undergrowth. A couple of area now contain heavy brashings.

Out of Bounds areas

Some fields are marked on the map as permanently out of bounds - do not enter these areas.
There is a road marked on the map, along which cars travel quite fast. Crossing the road directly is allowed with care. Running or walking along the road or alongside it, is NOT permitted

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. The area of Hodgemoor is used by a riding stable to the South west. Expect to meet horses and riders 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 in the wood.
The fast beacon on 3.58 MHz is very close to the car park and may be used as a 'safety' beacon to use if you become totally lost.