Radio Society of Great Britain
Dudmaston - Winners' Blog

80m competition
I disagree with 3-1-5 being optimum. It might be the shortest distance but when you think of the order the transmissions and the closeness of the transmitters I think 1-3-5 would, on average be more reliably quick.
My bearing to #1 (cyan) pointed up into a pointy bit of wood so this was the obvious way to go, especially if the course was to be short, as there would be no hanging-around-waiting-for-bearings time.
#3 came up as I entered the forest, my first bearing was down towards the lake... but no a check of sense put it right up on the edge of the 400m circle, trapped between this and the fence. Now should I go and try and 'hunt this down' between transmissions?
I measured a 400m parallel to my # 3 bearing; yes there was room for #1 up in the Northern part of the wood. I decided that I could get close to #1 in the 2 ½ minutes remaining and chase it down while it was transmitting (turned out I was a bit optimistic) and then I would get a confirmatory bearing on #3 and then 5 minutes to get close to 3 to chase it down etc.
So it was off for #1 I went, getting my first #5 bearing on the way, though my bearings on #1 and 3 told me it had to be 'on the other side of the start', oh and Steve Stone had told me it was by the other #5 - he didn't mean to tell me, but his mispunching on the 2m sort of gave it away.
I got a good cross bearing on #1 and a cross bearing on #3 as expected. Finding #1 I turned and headed for where #3 now 'had to be'. The transmitter lit up as expected and I followed the bearing in. I note that the control was MUCH easier from the north, being on that side of the holly bush. I am now glad I did not try and find it off-transmission. (I got all the way to #1 in the same time as Steve and Mike found #3, both having to wait for a second transmission).
I headed now for #5, getting another bearing on the way, I aimed to be outside the 400m circle, and waiting just as it came up, a success and I again found the fox while it was transmitting.
I went back to the finish the pretty way - which may have cost me a few seconds.

David Williams