Home Page

News

Rules

Results

Newcomer's View

Hints & Tips

Events

Links

Technical

Radio Society of Great Britain

Witton Park Blackburn 26 April

3.5 MHz - 17 starters, 5 Transmitters.
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 0.50 M40    12345
2.  Dave Williams M3WDD 1.13 M40    12345
3.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 0.55 M40    1245
4.  Tim Raven & Sarah G4ARI 1.59 M50    2345
5.  John Martin G8JGM 2.12 M50    2345
6.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 1.11 M60    345
7.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 1.24 M60    345
8.  Tom Mitchell GM0JHF 1.36 M60    345
9.  Les Fuller M3CDU 2.19 M??    234
10.  Neil Jones M0NBJ 1.22 M50    25
11.  Keith Mahood G0OXV 1.32 M40    25
12.  Tom Read & Jimmy M1EYP 0.57 M21    2
13.  April Jones GX8WSR 1.20 W35    3
14.  S Cartlidge G0MJG 1.29 M60    5
15.  Dave Cossar GM3WIL 1.30 M60    3

Notes:
1. The results are listed in order of the number of transmitters found and the time taken.
2. Phil M0GIE and the Oldham Club put on a first rate event at Witton Park. They were rewarded with excellent support.
3. In spite of the expanses of out of bounds fields in the middle of the map, the courses transpired to be interesting and challenging.
4. The 'prize' for the furthest travelled competitor went to Michael Dunbar from Frimley who was a little bit ahead of Dave Cossar from Prestwick.

144 MHz - 13 starters, 5 Transmitters.
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Dave Williams M3WDD 1.04 M40    12345
2.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 1.18 M40    12345
3.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 1.29 M40    1245
4.  John Martin G8JGM 1.30 M50    2345
6.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 0.54 M60    345
7.  Tom Mitchell GM0JHF 1.15 M60    345
8.  April Jones GX8WSR 1.26 W35     235
9.  Dave Cossar GM3WIL 1.22 M60    35
10.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 1.29 M60    35
11.  Keith Mahood G0OXV 1.33 M40    14
12.  S Cartlidge G0MJG 1.20 M60    4
13.  Neil Jones M0NBJ 1.36 M50    4
14.  Tim Raven G4ARI 1.53 M50    

Notes:
1. With multi-path propagation strongly in evidence by reflections from the hill to the north, competitors coped well with the conditions.
2. Please let the organiser know if there are any errors or omissions in these results.

Butterwood 6 April

144 MHz - 11 starters, 5 Transmitters.
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 60.35 M40    5/4
2.  Dave Williams M3WDD 62.10 M40    5/4
3.  Steve Stone RS193217 95.24 M50    5/5
4.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 95.38 M60    3/3
5.  David Heale G6HGE 103.58 M40    4/4
6.  Frank Heritage M0AEU 109.10 M50    4/4
7.  Dave Deane G3ZOI 130.45 M50    4/3
8.  Justin & Peter 141.45 M??    3/4
9.  Alan & Martin 144.40 M??    4/5

Notes:
1. Heavy snow on the morning of the event caused the cancellation of the parallel Orienteering competition when helpers were unable to get to the area.
ARDF enthusiasts, however, trickled in from across southern England for this two bamd competition.
2. Organisers Dave G4WIZ and Ken M0AET staged a conventional 2m competition and a very novel variant of FoxOring after lunch.
3. Winner Michael Dunbar wore a GPS watch and his blog shows his exact track superimposed on the Google Earth image of the woods.

3.5 MHz - 7 starters, 10 Transmitters.
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Dave Williams M3WDD 37.15 M40    10
2.  Steve Stone RS193217 49.12 M50    10
3.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 55.05 M40    10
4.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 63.35 M60     9
5.  David Heale G6HGE 78.32 M40    9
6.  Frank Heritage M0AEU 80.30 M50     9
7.  David Deane G3ZOI 77.59 M50     6

Notes:
1.The novel form of a FoxOring competition deployed ten transmitters which each sent for 30 sec in every minute with a different identifying letter in morse.
At the start the competitors were given a plan or 'constellation' of the transmitters (in addition to the map from the 2m event in the morning). Eight of the transmitters were within a 150m radius circle centred 300m from the start and lying on one of the eight compass points N, NE, E, SE etc. The transmitter was audible at the centre of each of these circles but its identifying morse letter was not disclosed.
Each competitor was assigned a compass point along which he was required to leave the mass start (this avoided following).
A ninth control circle was positioned between the circle of eight and the start and a transmitter was placed here after the competitors had left the start area. Finally, a tenth transmitter was sited within a 150m radius circle around the finish.

Dudmaston 16 March

144 MHz - 11 starters, 5 Transmitters.
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Phil Smith GW1XBG 48.44 M40    5/5
2.  Dave Williams M3WDD 58.00 M40    5/5
3.  Ken Jones M0AET 62.24 M60    3/3
4.  Tim Raven G4ARI 101.20 M50    3/3
5.  David Deane G3ZOI 106.44 M50    4/4
6.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 117.46 M40    5/5
7.  Steve Stone RS193217 81.10 M60    4/5
8.  Tom Mitchell GM0JHF 107.20 M60    3/4
9.  Dave Cossar GM3WIL 97.28 M50    1/3
10.  Tony Green GW4JGU 127.15 M60    2/5
11.  Dave Livsey G4BQH M60    0/5

Notes:
1. Click here for the 144MHz split times. Note that the splits are ordered in simplistic time and number of controls found and do not take into account the choice of course by the competitor.
2. Dudmaston, with its deceptive undulating terrain, produced far more multi path propagation than expected. Some very experienced competitors had a 'bad hair day' as a result.
3. Congratulations to winner Phil Smith who overcame all these problems to notch a convincing win. M40 is definitely our strongest class in GB and if we ever got our best team out it would be interesting to see how close we could get to a podium place in international competition.
4. It was good to welcome Dave Cossar and Dave Livsey to their first competition. Hope to see you both again.

3.5 MHz - 10 starters, 3 Transmitters.
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Dave Williams M3WDD 23.20 M40    3/3
2.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 24.04 M40    3/3
3.  Steve Stone RS193217 28.38 M50    3/3
4.  Phil Smith GW1XBG 29.13 M40    3/3
5.  David Deane G3ZOI 39.55 M50    2/2
6.  Tim Raven G4ARI 44.01 M40    2/2
7.  Ken Jones M0AET 73.04 M60    3/3
8.  Tom Mitchell GM0JHF 79.21 M60    3/3
9.  Tony Green GW4JGU 92.47 M60    2/3
10.  Dave Cossar GM3WIL 97.44 M60    0/2

Notes:
1. Click here for the 3.5MHz split times. Again, these are not ordered as the actual results.
2. Steve Stone, having mispunched at a 3.5 MHz transmitter in the morning, had a compensating advantage with one of the TXs after lunch! With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, the two #5 transmitters were too close together and should have been more clearly marked with the band of operation.
3. The top four competitors had an extremely close race of it and the optimum sequence was 3 - 1 - 5
4. Click here for the 80m winner's blog and here for a map of his route.

High Wycombe 10 Feb

144 MHz - 13 starters, 5 Transmitters.
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 59.50 M60    4/4
2*.  Martin Whittaker M0NXP 67.21 M21    4/4
3.  Ken Jones M0AET 68.10 M60    3/3
4.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 82.15 M40    5/5
5.  Dave Skye G3PLR 95.53 M60    3/3
6.  David Deane G3ZOI 97.23 M50    4/4
7.  John Little M1SHE 102.52 M60    3/3
8.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 104.20 M40    5/5
9.  Jim Smith G4DZL 118.50 M50    5/5
10.  Tim & Sarah Raven G4ARI 156.55 M50    3/3
11.  David Heale G6HGE 111.13 M40    3/5
12.  Dawn Skye YL 115.00 W50    1/3

* denotes assisted

Notes:
1. The 2008 ARDF season opened with wonderful weather and superb terrain at High Wycombe. Steve Stone put on an excellent event single handedly and did it very very well. His efforts were greatly appreciated by everyone who participated.
2. At this event competitors were free to choose which course they attempted (5 TXs, 4 TXs or 3 TXs) rather than being constrained by their age group.
3.Organiser's comments: The location of the main orienteering car park restricted me to what areas I could use without involving a long walk to a start. I thought the Southern area was a bit small for an event but being hilly it wouldn't make it to easy. Even so I wasn't anticipating anybody having major problems. My first indication that it wasn't going to be that easy was at 10am when the TXs fired up. Number 1 was showing almost West instead of South East. This caused much confusion to the competitors with almost everyone taking non optimum routes. I don't know why number 3 caused so much grief to some. Anyway, thanks to all for coming and I hope you enjoyed you run on a gorgeous day.
Thanks to Dave Deane for the loan of the equipment, and to all those who collected controls at the end.
4. The event attracted two newcomers in Dawn Skye and Martin Whittaker. Click for Martin's blog. How others see us!
5. Click for the winner's blog and here for the winner's route.

Lever Park, Bolton 25 Nov

3.5 MHz - 15 starters, 5 Transmitters.
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 41.0 M60    3/3
2.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 45.0 M40    5/4
3.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 50.0 M60    5/3
4.  David Heale G6HGE 52.0 M40    4/4
5.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 56.0 M40    4/4
6.  David Williams M3WDD 1.08.0 M40    5/4
7.  John Martin MDOC 1.10.0 M50    4/4
8.  Tom Mitchell GM4JHF 1.17.0 M50    4/4
9.  Jim Smith G4DZL 1.27.0 M50    5/4
10.  Keith Mahood G0OXV 1.18.00 M40    3/4
11.  Stuart Cartlidge G0MJG 1.28.0 M50    3/4
12.  Richard Newstead + 2 G3CWI 1.07.0 M40    2/4
13.  April Jones Wirral 1.19.0 W35    2/4
14.  Neil Jones Wirral 1.36.0 OT M50    0/4

Notes:
1. The results format does not do justice to some of the performances. Michael Dunbar travelled all the way up from Frimley to race round all five transmitters in just 9 TX cycles, to show what can be achieved with plenty of practice and good speed over the ground. Even more impressive was the third place of M60 Robert Vickers who managed to bag the lot in just 50 minutes, even though he was only expected to find three of them as an M60.
2. John Martin of MDOC headed the newcomers with a very respectable 70 minutes for his allotted four transmitters.
3. We actually had two ladies competing. April Jones bagged two transmitters and was comfortably inside the time, while Richard Newstead took his daughter Mai Ling and son Lewis round the course.
4. Very few of the allegedly 'experienced' competitors ever managed to find all their allotted transmitters on their first time out. There is simply too much to master all at once. You need to become familiar and adept at using the receiver, there is the sense problem to master on 3.5 MHz and then there is zooming up the learning curve of basic tactics. It takes a few events before it all starts to run smoothly and after that, well it is all such good fun.
5. Phil M0GIE, was really quite brave to run an event for a radio sport he has only done a couple of times himself. Phil was being typically modest as you all thanked him and his team for their efforts on Sunday. It was certainly very much appreciated by all the competitiors.
6. Click here for the Organiser's blog.
7. Rather than have a winner's blog, this time we have a competitor's blog from the 65 year old who found all five TXs in just five minutes more than Michael Dunbar (who has written more winner's blogs than he has had hot dinners). Click here for the blog and Click here for his route.

Willesley Woods 6 Oct

144 MHz - 11 starters, 5 Transmitters, optimum sequence 1,4,5,2,3,F
#NameCallClassTx1Tx4Tx5Tx2Tx3Finish
1.Michael DunbarRS195082 M40 6.27 20.27 15.04 43.37 52.51 55.45
2.David WilliamsM3WDD M40 32.13 18.48 24.51 46.25 55.57 59.29
3.David DeaneG3ZOI M50 21.11 N/R 30.39 42.26 62.33 68.07
4.Steve StoneRS193217 M50 37.14 19.00 46.10 61.53 76.12 80.29
5.David HealeG6HGE M40 40.41 28.09 N/R 64.04 77.16 81.15
6.Robert VickersG3ORI M60 53.48 28.56 60.51 71.48 84.42 89.12
7.Phil EllisM0GIE M50 17.58 N/R 37.27 66.25 87.11 93.29
8.Tim & Sarah RavenG4ARI M50 Miss N/R 52.50 97.47 Miss 116.11
9.Dennis MewsHOC M50 16.08 N/R Miss Miss Miss 57.10
10.Ken JonesM0AET M60 N/R N/R 100.09 Miss Miss 115.13
11.Tom MitchellGM0JHF M50 36.12 N/R 47.26 72.48 121.08 128.05

Notes:
1. The 'joker' in the pack was TX 4, sited high on the hillside near the A42 cutting, its signal was seriously loud across to the north side of the lake. So much so that a majority of the experienced competitors opted to take TX4 first, passing within a couple of hundred metres of TX1 on their way across to 4. Coming up the road from the start, the bearing to TX4 was the furthest right and the usual tactic in these circumstances is to take the transmitters in sequence from right to left. This time that did not work! Not only that, but the strong signal convinced these competitors that TX4 was close and so they failed to run far enough after each transmission, taking perhaps three transmissions after entering the woods before they were anywhere near it. An unintended 'near/far' trick which caught out four of the five competitors who hunted these two transmitters.Click here to see the location of the 144MHz transmitters.
2. TX2 was sited with the expanse of Shellbrook Wood beyond it, to coax the over enthusiastic into roaring off northwards, passing it while it was silent and then having to turn back to find it.
3. The split times above tell all sorts of tales and the transmitters are ordered in the optimum sequence. This makes it easier to spot non optimal choices.
4. Michael Dunbar's decision to take TX1 first was enough to make up for his foray north of the electricity sub-station later on. Click here for Michael Dunbar's blog. Click here for Michael's route.
5. Those who got the sequence right were David Deane, Phil Ellis, Tim Raven and Tom Mitchell.
6. Phil Ellis came down from Oldham to try out a full scale event for himself before organisng the Lever Park, Bolton event on 25 Nov.
7. David Deane had a good day with his first top three place for a while. He was also in the lead at TX2.
8. Tom Mitchell was a tad unlucky to go over time having bagged all his four transmitters. It was good to see him after he travelled down from Dumfries to participate.

3.5MHz - 10 starters, 5 Transmitters
PlaceNameCallClass Time TXs
1.  David Williams M3WDD M40    35.125/4
2.  Steve Stone RS193217 M50    36.235/4
3.  Robert Vickers G3ORI M60    36.385/3
4.  Tom Mitchell GM0JHF M50    40.20 4/4
5.  Ken Jones M0AET M60    49.15 3/3
6.  Jim Smith G4DZL M50    55.20 5/4
7.  David Heale G6HGE M40    56.254/4
8.  David Deane G3ZOI M50    57.08 4/4
9.  Dennis Mews * HOC M50    59.454/4
10.  Phil Ellis M0GIE M50    79.354/4

Notes:
1. A fast and furious 80m competition to round off the day. All the IARU distances were reduced to 200m and the central area of the map was used.
2. Tom Mitchell and Ken Jones had obviously saved something from the morning to place well up the table.
3. David Williams over-ran TX1 and had difficulty in convincing himself that TX4 might be across the road near to the lake but just managed to hold off the 'grey challenge' from Steve Stone and Robert Vickers.
4. * Dennis Mews was 'assisted' by Bob for his first three transmitters. Dennis seemed to think the exercise helped to identify where he sometimes went wrong.
5. Thanks to all who turned out to support the event and the efforts of the organisers.

Alice Holt Forest 23 Sep

144 MHz - 13 starters, 5 Transmitters.
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 54.33 M60    3/3
2.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 54.50 M40    5/4
3.  Steve Stone RS193217 1.09.00 M50    5/4
4.  David Heale G6HGE 1.11.11 M60    4/4
5.  Simon Beck SN 1.17.50 M40    5/4
6.  John Little M1SHE 1.18.00 M60    3/3
7.  David Williams M3WDD 1.26.22 M40    5/4
8.  Jim Smith G4DZL 1.29.35 M50    4/4
9.  Dave Skye G3PLR 1.31.00 M60    3/3
10.  Ken Jones M0AET 1.34.00 M60    3/3
11.  David Deane G3ZOI 1.45.00 M50    4/4
12.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 1.29.10 M40    3/4
13.  Warren Payne Ind OT M21    5/5

Notes:
1. It was good to welcome newcomers Dave Skye and Warren Payne, both of whom acquitted themselves well. Warren stayed out until he had found all his five TXs and Dave 'bagged' the three needed by an M60 in an hour and a half.
2. Simon Beck was over from France and he made quite a telling remark when he said he felt that the standard of domestic competition was noticeably rising. He pointed to Michael Dunbar who found all five transmitters in just 11 tramsmitter 'cycles'. No doubt he had a bit of good luck along the way but it is still a pretty impressive achievement.
3. It was good to see Steve Stone back to 'form' and clearly the competition at the IARU Region 1 Championships the previous week, was good for David Heale.
4. Click here for the 2m winner's blog and Click here for the 2m winner's route.
5. Frank M0AEU organised an excellent day of competition and thanks also to David Deane and Ken Jones who stepped in to run the 80m event after lunch.

3.5MHz Foxoring - 10 starters, 10 Transmitters 1 hour 'score'
PlaceNameCallClass Points Time
1.  Bob Titterington G3ORY M60    23558.00
2.  Steve Stone RS193217 M50    23558.34
3.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR M40    20558.00
4=.  Ken Jones M0AET M60    200 52.00
4=.  David Williams M3WDD M40    200 35.00
6=.  David Heale G6HGE M40    195 55.00
6=.  David Skye G3PLR M60    19561.42
8.  Frank Heritage M0AEU M50    165 61.30
9.  John Little M1SHE M60    15029.00
10.  Jim Smith G4DZL M50    8060.00

Notes:
1. Dave Deane and Ken Jones came up with a brilliant variation on the Foxoring theme. Not all the transmitters were on the air permanently. Some were only on for 30 seconds in every minute, others for 20 seconds and some for just 15 seconds.The transmitters then carried a differing points tariff based on the amount of time they spent on the air and their distance from the start/finish. There was some discussion regarding the allocation of points to transmitters and some competitors had had a hard time trying to find transmitter G but this did not detract from an idea that we must surely run again at a future event.

Hermitage Woods - 29 July

144 MHz - 10 starters, 4 Transmitters, 3.5 km
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 55.20 M40    4/4
2.  Phil Smith GW1XBG 58.45 M40    4/4
3.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 1.07.45 M60    4/4
4.  Ken Jones M0AET 1.22.43 M60    4/4
5.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 1.23.15 M60    4/4
6.  David Deane G3ZOI 1.26.12 M50    4/4
7.  Jim Smith G4DZL 1.51.08 M50    4/4
8.  Barrie Walmsley TVOC 1.48.00 M50?    3/4
9.  Tony Green GW4JGU 2.27.40 M60    3/4
10.  John Marriott LEIOC 2.15.02 M50    2/4

Notes:
1. The 'usual suspects' were at the top of the table but Ken Jones had a good morning to place 4th. His highest ever?
2. It was good to welcome Barrie Walmsley and John Marriott to their second event.
3. Steve Stone put on an excellent and most enjoyable event in the delightful Hermitage Woods and even 'fixed' the weather. Thanks to him from all the participants.

3.5MHz Foxoring - 10 starters, 10 Transmitters, 4.2 km
PlaceNameCallClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 M40    10/10
2.  Phil Smith GW1XBG M40    10/10
3.  Bob Titterington G3ORY M60    10/10
4.  Robert Vickers G3ORI M60    10/10
5.  John Marriott LEIOC M60    10/10
6.  David Deane G3ZOI M50    10/10
7.  Barrie Walmsley TVOC M50    10/10
8.  Ken Jones M0AET M50?    8/10
9.  Tony Green GW4JGU M60    7/10
10.  Jim Smith G4DZL M50    10/10

Notes:
1. A mass start Foxoring with a different designated first TX for each competitor.
2. Results are in order of finish time and do not represent placings.
3. John Marriott, at only his second ever event, made his mark in the results.
4. Organiser's Notes
Hermitage is a nice area to use, and it's a pity that the recent rain had made the paths difficult. I decided to keep the mornings event fairly short to encourage everybody to do both events, past experience has shown that a longer first course discourages those less fit to skip the afternoon event.
I tried to keep the 2m event fairly simple and most people didn't seem to have any real problems. I didn't consider the road route that a lot of people took from the start in my planning, I'll have to be more careful in future !
I like the Fox-Oring format and enjoy planning these. I don't consider it more work even though there are more controls to put out. I find it easier as a solo organiser than coping with standard 80m kit. I decided fairly early on to be different and use a mass start as an experiment. The idea of splitting people up was a late thought. I tried to make sure that nobody was disadvantaged by going to a particular control first, I hope I got this right. Judging by the comments at the finish most people found it interesting with a lot of talk about best routes based on their starting control.
Thanks to Dave Deane for the loan of the equipment and thanks to all those who collected the gear in at the end.

Michedever Foxoring 10 June

3.5 MHz - 12 starters, 12 Transmitters (max)
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 45.50 M60    8/8
2.  David Williams M3WDD 1.00.57 M40    10/10
3.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 1.06.06 M40    12/10
4.  John Little M1SHE 1.07.47 M60    8/8
5.  David Heale G6HGE 1.10.15 M40    10/10
6.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 1.12.15 M60    12/8
7.  Ken Jones M0AET 1.13.32 M60    8/8
8.  Steve Stone RS193217 1.19.58 M50    12/9
9.  Roger Howell 1.36.25 M40    10/10
10.  Jim Smith G4DZL 1.55.25 M50    10/9
11.  Geoff Galliver M0SOX 1.40.10 M60    5/8
12.  Barrie Walmsley IND 1.59.50 M60    5/4

Notes:
1. Dave Deane chose a lovely day to set out his Fox-Oring course at Micheldever. The transmitters were easy to hear and generally could be picked up a couple of hundred metres from their location.
2. The siting of the nearest transmitter to the start caused most competitors to run around like headless chickens before they realised it was right next to a wire fence which was coupling strongly to the antenna. Even the veteran top band DFers seemed to have just as much trouble with it as everyone else.
3. Thanks are due to Dave for providing another day of radio sport in lovely surroundings.

British ARDF Championships - 26/27/28 May

Click here for the results of the Foxoring on 26 May.

Click here for the results of the 3.5MHz Championship on 27 May.

Click here for the results of the 144MHz Championship on 28 May.

Click here for comment, blogs and pictures.

Farley Mount 22 April

144 MHz - 7 starters, 5 Transmitters, 5.5 km min distance (5TX)
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 1.04.33 M60    3/3
2.  David Heale G6HGE 1.08.12 M40    4/4
3.  Mike Dunbar RS195082 1.17.38 M40    5/4
4.  David Williams M3WDD 1.29.22 M40    5/4
5.  Steve Stone RS193217 1.35.40 M50    5/4
6.  Dave Deane G3ZOI 1.52.23 M50    4/4
7.  John Little M1SHE 41.20 M60    1/3

3.5 MHz - 7 starters, 5 Transmitters, 5.3 km min distance (5TX)
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Mike Dunbar RS195082 52.56 M40    4/4
2.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 1.01.00 M60    3/3
3.  Steve Stone RS193217 1.15.20 M50    5/4
4.  David Williams M3WDD 1.20.00 M40    5/4
5.  John Little M1SHE 1.23.56 M60    3/3
6.  David Heale G6HGE 1.35.13 M40    4/4
7.  Roger Howell IND 1.52.26 M40    0/4

Notes:
1. A disappointing turnout for an event in a lovely wood in lovely sunshine. Many thanks to Dave Burleigh, Ken Jones and Geoff Galliver for all their hard work which was appreciated by all those who travelled from afar to participate.
2. Click here for the winners' blogs. Click here for the 2m winner's route. Click here for the 80m winner's route.
3. Roger Howell confused the sense direction on 80m but went out again later and found it all did work after all.
4. Ken Jones planned courses which made full use of the area. Control site photos and a map showing their location were available at the end of the day.

Deepcut 24 March

144 MHz - 11 starters, 5 Transmitters, 3.35 km min distance
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  David Williams M3WDD 44.59 M40    5
2.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 50.59 M60    5
3.  David Heale G6HGE 57.47 M40    5
4.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 58.05 M60    5
5.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 58.37 M40    5
6.  John Little M1SHE 1.15.27 M60    5
7.  Dennis Mews IND 1.16.43 M50    5
8.  David Deane G3ZOI 1.29.16 M50    5
9.  Steve Stone RS193217 1.43.31 M50    5
10.  Ken Jones M0AET 1.28.16 M60    2
11.  Tony Welch IND 2.43.39 M50    5

3.5 MHz - 8 starters, 5 Transmitters, 3.60 km min distance
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  David Williams M3WDD 35.39 M40    5
2.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 49.28 M60    5
3.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 54.54 M40    5
4.  Steve Stone RS193217 54.57 M50    5
5.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 58.08 M60    5
6.  Dennis Mews IND 1.10.50 M50    5
7.  David Heale G6HGE 1.16.31 M40    5
8.  Ken Jones M0AET 1.11.14 M60    3

Notes:
1. Michael Dunbar made clever use of a small but wonderfully runnable area in this event which he organised single handedly. All the competitors are more than grateful to Michael for providing an excellent days radio sport.
2. Winner David Williams is now on holiday and so a winner's route and blog are not available.
3. In the 144MHz event a few competitors fell for the 'near/far' trick. TX #1 was sited at the top of the highest hill in the area and facing the start. TX#4 was 500m nearer the start and in the same direction but concealed on the reverse slope of a modest hill. The lucky and/or wise competitors opted to go for TX #4 before #1.
4. Organisers Notes
a. click here to see the locations of all the transmitters. 21-25 are 144MHz and 81-85 are 3.5MHz.
b. I cannot explain the crazy bearing that some competitors got for TX #3 on 2m.
c. I am grateful to all those competitors who helped to set up the Registration area and collect in all the transmitters at the end. It enabled me to be at home and freshened up when the XYL got back. Michael Dunbar

Hawkbatch 4 March

144 MHz - 8 starters, 5 Transmitters
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  David Williams M3WDD 54.15 M40    5
2.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 1.16.42 M40    5
3.  Phil Smith GW1XBG 1.41.31 M40    5
4.  Steve Stone RS193217 1.45.27 M50    5
5=.  Tony Green GW4JGU 1.59.59 M60    4
5=.  Dave Deane G3ZOI 1.59.59 M50    4
7.  Tom Mitchell GM0JHF 1.16.43 M50    2
8.  Dennis Mews IND 1.29.16 M50    

3.5 MHz - 9 starters, 3 Transmitters,
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  David Williams M3WDD 27.20 M40    3
2.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 29.10 M40    3
3.  Steve Stone RS193217 44.15 M50    3
4.  Phil Smith GW4JGU 46.10 M40    3
5.  Dennis Mews HOC 1.06.35 M50    3
6.  Tony Green GW4JGU 1.08.10 M60    3
7.  Tom Mitchell GM0JHF 1.20.00 M50    3
8.  John Little M1SHE 1.23.00 M60    3
9.  Robert Dove SMOC 1.05.00 M60    2

Notes:
1. Robert Vickers and Geoffrey Foster organised the event but were not blessed with the best of weather for their efforts. Their efforts were greatly appreciated by all those who took part.
2. John Little, Tony Walsh and Robert Dove trained together in the 144 MHz event. Mike and Val Dugmore trained as beginners in the 3.5 MHz event.
3. Organiser's comments: Hawkbatch is a smallish wood and although not particularly hilly has enough stream valleys and gully systems to make life interesting for the radio-orienteer. My plan was to exploit these features by designing a technically testing course for the 144 MHz event. I thought that as a contrast, I would make the 3.5 MHz event fast and relatively straightforward. Listening to the comments in the finish tent, I think my objectives were achieved. Congratulations to David Williams and Michael Dunbar for achieveing blistering performances in first and second places respectively in both events.
I cannot avoid commenting on the weather: the torrential rain started falling just as the last fox was sited in its lair and fell unremittingly until long after the site had been cleared. The results have been extracted from soggy paper sheets (and I hope there are no mistakes as a consequence). I am sorry if the conditions made life more difficult for the less experienced competitors; they certainly didn't help us to provide proper support for the beginners and I hope they will not be discouraged by the damp experience.
Despite this, the usual offers of help to gather in the foxes and dismantling the tent were willingly made and gratefully accepted. In particular I am indebted to Geoffrey Foster who helped with every aspect of the event and to Bob Titterington who sorted out the transmitters for me just before rushing off on a trip to Australia. Robert Vickers

Wendover Woods 4 Feb

144 MHz Long- 4 starters, 5 Transmitters, km min distance
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 1.06.47 M40    5
2.  David Williams RS190108 1.16.40 M40    5
3.  Gavin Andrews M0ETA 2.15.36 M40    5
4.  Jim Smith G4DZL 2.25.00 M50    5

144 MHz Short- 9 starters, 4 Transmitters, 3.72km min distance
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Dennis Mews IND 1.01.27 M50    4
2.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 1.19.34 M60    4
3.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 1.11.45 M60    4
4.  David Deane G3ZOI 1.14.52 M50    4
5.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 1.32.14 M40    4
6.  David Heale G6HGE 1.37.00 M40    4
7=.  Tony Welch IND 1.57.29 M50    3
7=.  John Little M1SHE 1.57.29 M60    3
9.  Ken Jones M0AET 2.12.25 M60    4

Notes:
1. Steve Stone organised a super event in splendid sunshine on a marvellous area. He showed how one individual could single handedly put on an event. He was aided by the synchronised clock crystals on the G3ZOI transmitters which allowed him to put out the transmitters on the Saturday afternoon.
2. The long course winner was Michael Dunbar (no surprises there then) but short course winner was Dennis Mews on only his second outing at an ARDF event. Dennis tried ARDF for the first time at Wokefield last November and then goes out to win his first ever event on 144MHz. Incredible!
3. In the 3.5 MHz Foxoring (results below) David Heale showed the mettle of his orienteering skills to place third behind Michael Dunbar and David Williams.
4. It was nice to welcome Nicky (M5YLO) and Tony Marriott for the first time. They had a 'taster' session hunting down transmitters on both the 144MHz short course and on the 3.5 MHz Foxoring course.
5. Sincere thanks to Steve for his efforts which were much appreciated by everyone present.
6. Click here for the long course winner's blog. Click here for the short course winner's blog. Click here for the short course winner's route. click here for the long course winner's route. Click here for the organiser's comments

3.5 MHz Foxoring- 13 starters, 10 Transmitters, 3.86 km min distance
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 40.07 M40    10
2.  David Williams RS190108 47.20 M40    10
3.  David Heale G6HGE 53.50 M40    10
4.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 55.31 M60    10
5.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 56.02 M60    10
6.  Dennis Mews IND 56.55 M50    10
7.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 67.57 M40    10
8.  Gavin Andrews M0ETA 74.00 M40    10
9.  Jim Smith G4DZL 96.18 M50    10
10.  David Deane G3ZOI 52.20 M50    6
11=  John Little M1SHE 34.00 M60    4
11=  Tony Welch IND 34.00 M50    4
13.  Ken Jones M0AET 56.03 M60    4

Wokefield Common 12 Nov

3.5 MHz - 15 starters, 5 Transmitters Max, 120 minute limit
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 45.37 M40    5/4
2.  David Williams RS190108 48.41 M40    5/4
3.  Steve Stone RS193217 52.29 M50    5/4
4.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 55.22 M60    5/3
5.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 56.17 M60    5/3
6.  John Little+Tony+Robert M1SHE 68.00 M60    3/3
7.  Dennis Mews 72.33 M50    4/4
8.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 88.54 M40    5/4
9.  David Heale G6HGE 91.14 M21    5/5
10.  Roger Howell 101.20 M40    4/4
11.  Ken Jones M0AET 107.03 M60    3/3
12.  Graham Taylor G3MDC 111.40 M60    3/3
13.  Jim Smith G4DZL 148.00 M50    5/4

Notes:
1.It was really good to see four new faces at the event and hopefully will see you all again when the 2007 season starts on 4 Feb.
2.Thanks to David Deane for organising a super day which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The weather was delightful and the forest was dressed in glorious autumnal colours.
3. Click here for the winner's blog. click here for the winner's route.

British Championships 15 Oct

144 MHz - 11 starters, 120 minute limit
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 49.51 M60    3/3
2.  Steve Stone RS193217 49.53 M50    4/4
3.  David Williams RS190108 55.09 M40    4/4
4.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 58.18 M40    4/4
5.  Frank Heritage M0AEU 74.11 M40    4/4
6.  Ken Jones M0AET 75.40 M60    3/3
7.  John Little M1SHE 84.57 M60    3/3
8.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 86.24 M40    4/4
9.  David Heale G6HGE 91.20 M21    5/5
10.  Tom Mitchell GM0JHF 102.44 M50    4/4
11.  David Deane G3ZOI 79.20 M50    3/4

Notes:
1. In planning the courses, I tried to include as much of the interesting part of the area at the western end as possible and to use the o.o.b. area surrounding the old GLCM bunkers as a 'challenge' when it came to deciding the sequence in which the transmitters should be visited.

2. Click here for the winner's blog. Click here for the winner's route.

M60 optimum S-5-3-2-F 4.59km
CallS-55-25-33-22-32-F3-Fsequence
G3ORI 10.02 16.01 11.12 12.36 S-5-3-2-F
M0AET 15.50 31.34 20.59 7.17 S-5-2-3-F
M1SHE 29.42 28.05 21.09 6.01 S-5-2-3-F

There was not a lot of difference between the two real choices of route (5-3-2 and 5-2-3) with the latter route being 4.62km. With TX 5 I did not hold out much hope that anyone would run significantly past it and have to backtrack, but by placing it opposite the interesting area near the control tower, I did hope that some might dash over there to wait for its next transmission and then have to come back towards the centre of the old runway.

M50 optimum S-5-1-2-4-F 4.76km
CallS-55-15-41-24-22-44-F1-Fsequence
Steve 10.51 17.40 6.22 9.03 5.57 S-5-1-2-4-F
GM0JHF 14.19 24.00 14.22 38.35 11.28 S-5-4-2-1-F
G3ZOI 15.13 15.14 11.12 S-5-1-2-F

The M50 course avoided the TX3 trap (see below) but, assuming that competitors would choose to go anti-clockwise around the o.o.b. area, I placed TX 4 on the reverse slope as they approached, in the hope that they would suffer from multi-path from the far side of the valley in which it was positioned.
There was very little difference in course length between M50 and M40, so it was quite a surprise to find an M50 coming in second fastest.
The other route choice measured: S-5-4-2-1-F 5.10km

M40 optimum S-3-1-2-4-F 4.86km
CallS-11-22-32-43-44-34-F3-Fsequence
DavidW 17.25 4.46 10.42 17.44 4.32 S-1-2-3-4-F
Michael 18.43 7.50 16.57 10.08 4.40 S-1-2-3-4-F
M0AEU 29.24 12.44 13.00 13.59 5.04 S-1-2-4-3-F
G1ZAR 27.53 19.06 21.28 11.56 6.03 S-1-2-3-4-F

I placed TX3 at the top of that re-entrant, to try to catch the M40s out. The idea was that TX3 would be weaker than you would expect for a TX as close as 100m or 200m from the route taken from the start to TX1. If the competitor ignored the bearing information and judged on signal strength alone, the result was that he ran straight past 3. Everyone duly obliged!
The 'joker' in the pack proved to be TX4 which gave stronger multi path signals emanating from the east of its real position, than I expected.
The other routes measured: S-1-2-3-4-F 5.35km, S-1-2-4-3-F 5.09km

M21 optimum S-5-3-1-2-4-F 5.05km
CallS-55-11-33-22-44-Fsequence
G6HGE 15.12 21.11 12.24 25.02 11.23 6.08 S-5-1-3-2-4-F

M21 faced the same 'trap' as M40 and also ran 5-1 instead of 5-3-1. The distance for S-5-1-3-2-4-F was 5.89km.

2. Other competitors were: Jim Smith G4DZL, still suffering from the injury he sustained at Alice Holt, decided to do the recreational course but got carried away and found all 5 TXs in 125.18
Clive Hardy G4SLU from Monitoring Monthly, strolled round the recreational transmitters and found them all. A good effort for a first outing
Finally David Lewis G8JXA arrived late having spent the morning making his tape beam and did not have time to check in. He and his son found TX#1 before the transmitters started mysteriously moving and then going QRT!

Silverstone 24 Sep

3.5 MHz - 7 starters, 5 Transmitters Max, 120 minute limit
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 65.10 M40    5/4
2.  David Williams RS190108 67.35 M40    5/4
3.  Steve Stone RS193217 98.15 M50    5/4
4.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 111.51 M40    4/4
5.  Dave Deane G3ZOI 112.37 M50    4/4
6.  Ken Jones M0AET 102.21 M60    2/3
7.  Geoff Galliver M0SOX M60    0/3

144 MHz - 5 starters, 5 transmitters max, 120 min limit
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 70.55 M40    5/4
2.  David Williams RS190108 74.11 M40    5/4
3.  Steve Stone RS193217 88.43 M50    5/4
4.  Dave Deane G3ZOI 102.07 M50    4
5.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 112.45 M40    4

Notes:
1.Click here for the winner's blogs (both events). click here for the 2m winner's route. click here for the 80m winner's route.

2. Organisers comments:
My first event. 2 months ago I walked the woodland with John Shaw, the event organiser for South Midlands Orienteering Club (SMOC). We then agreed that this would be a suitable venue. I then applied to the Forestry Commission for application forms which I duly completed. These were then acknowledged, two copies returned, I signed one and returned. At this time it seemed quite possible that we could go over the 20 limit, so I then sent in the cheque for £25.00 to cover this. Next the risk assessment forms which are very exciting. These had to be agreed by John Shaw as being a qualified even planner. Copy sent to the FC and then permission granted. My other most valuable assistance came from Robert Dove (SMOC Cartographer). After he, John Shaw and I walked the woodland again, Robert tweaked the map and after downloading a free copy of OCAD6 I printed same on my Laser Printer.
Thursday go to the SMOC store and collect the control stakes, road signs etc.
Friday afternoon before the event spent the afternoon placing controls with John Shaw. We were trying for 3.2 / 4.3 / 5.2 kilometres for M21 - M60. Saturday I put out all 10 foxes, 25hr delay. I can now see for me, single handed, it takes a full day to put out all 10 foxes.
Sunday early start to put out the direction signs add a quick swab of the loos to avoid any chance of cholera or typhoid!
9.29am, pray,- they started one second late! Robert kindly brought his camper van for the registration and emergency tea.
The Foxes were down on the output I want but the entrants managed the course. My next job is to do some more tests at these distances and polish my foxes performance.
I can certainly see that piggy backing on a full 'O' can save a lot of work, but the experience is valuable.
Thanks to all the guys for their encouragement, to G3ZOI and M0AET for the tech help, and to Dave Williams and Steve Stone for collecting four of the foxes. That way I managed to leave the forest at 7.0pm.

Alice Holt 23 July

144 MHz - 15 starters, 5 Transmitters Max, 120 minute limit
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  David Williams RS190108 50.31 M40    5/4
2.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 59.05 M40    5/4
3.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 1.06.40 M60    3/3
4.  Gavin Andrews M0ETA 1.19.55 M40    4/4
5.  Steve Stone RS193217 1.24.26 M50    5/4
6.  Ken Jones M0AET 1.28.14 M60    3/3
7.  David Deane G3ZOI 1.39.30 M50    4/4
8.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 1.45.55 M40    4/4
9.  Geoff Grayer G3NAQ 1.46.58 M60    2/3
10.  David Heale G6HGE 1.54.20 M21    3/4
11.  Mark James 2E0BBS 1.52.00 ?    2/4
12=.  Rob Waghorne M3WRJ 1.58.23 M40    2/4
12=.  Peter Coleman 1.58.23 ?    2/4
14=.  Steven Janes M3KIH 1.59.59 ?    0/4
14=.  Ben Donaldson M3LCQ 1.59.59 ?    0/4

3.5 MHz - 14 starters, 5 transmitters max, 120 min limit
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 52.44 M40    4/4
2.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 1.01.25 M60    3/3
3.  David Williams & Simon Andersson RS190108 1.09.19 M40    4/4
4.  Steve Stone RS193217 1.18.01 M40    5/4
5.  Gavin Andrews M0ETA 1.27.50 M21    4/4
6.  Jim Smith G4DZL 1.28.55 M60    5/4
7.  Stuart Tyler G1ZAR 1.39.30 M40    5/4
8.  David Heale G6HGE 1.47.00 M21    5/5
9.  David Deane G3ZOI 1.57.45 M50     3/4
10.  Roger Howell G0ROG 1.51.50 ?    1/4
11.  Bob Gray family 1.32.45 ?    0/4
12.  Peter & Thomas Smallwood 2.41.10 ?    3/4

Notes:
1. Glorious weather, excellent area and up to 10 TXs to DF - a terrific day out.
2. Frank Heritage M0AEU was the organiser, helped by Richard and Elizabeth Gaskell and Alan and Barbara Willson from Radio Scouting. Our thanks go to them all for providing the competitors with such an excellent competition.
3. Click here for the winners' blogs (both events). click here for the 2m winner's route. click here for the 80m winner's route.
4. Thanks to David Williams and Michael Dunbar for their blogs and maps showing their route. These do help the rest of us to appreciate where we can improve.

Blackwood 11 June

144 MHz - 11 starters, 5 Transmitters Max, 120 minute limit
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 46.55 M60    3/3
2.  David Williams RS190108 53.16 M40    5/4
3.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 58.40 M40    4/4
4.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 1.03.53 M60    3/3
5.  Gavin Andrews M0ETA 1.09.02 M40    4/4
6.  Ken Jones M0AET 1.13.58 M60    3/3
7.  Phil Smith GW1XBG 1.17.05 M40    5/4
8.  John Little M1SHE 1.20.34 M60    3/3
9.  Frank Heritage M0AEU 1.46.35 M50    5/4
10.  David Heale G6HGE 1.52.50 M21    5/5
11.  Tony Green GW4JGU 1.56.00 M60    3/3

3.5 MHz FoxOring - 15 starters, 10 TXs, 90min limit
PlaceNameCallTimeClass Foxes
1.  Michael Dunbar RS195082 41.10 M40    10
2.  David Williams RS190108 43.45 M40    10
3.  Phil Smith GW1XBG 49.40 M40    10
4.  Gavin Andrews M0ETA 50.30 M40    10
5.  David Heale G6HGE 57.15 M21    10
6.  Robert Vickers G3ORI 58.03 M60    10
7.  Bob Titterington G3ORY 1.03.20 M60    10
8.  John Harrison BADO 1.24.40 M50    10
9.  Frank Heritage M0AEU 53.00 M50     3
10.  Tony Green GW4JGU 1.32.40 M60    10
11.  Ken Jones M0AET 1.39.40 M60     6
12.  John Little M1SHE 1.49.00 M60     8
13.  Graham Taylor G3MDC 1.58.20 M60     7
14.  Peter Davis G0KQA 2.45.00 M60     9
15.  Geoff Galliver M0SOX 3.10.00 M60     2

Notes:
1. This was the very first FoxOring competition to be held in the UK. David Deane, Ken Jones and Gavin Andrews were behind it all and gave a most enjoyable aspect of the day spent in glorious weather in the open air. In this competition, control circles were marked on the map with the guarantee that the transmitter would be audible from within the circle. Competitors used their orienteering skills to navigate from one circle to the next and once there, used their DF skills to find the micro transmitters.
2. In the Foxoring, transmitter C was reported to be inaudible by later competitors. However, when it was collected in, it could be heard at a reasonable distance on a PJ80 receiver. Possibly it was just a bit weaker than the other transmitters.
3. Blackwood is a superb area of beech woodland with very little gound cover. Most of the map is runnable and the competition had a continental feel about it, with the competitors able to manoeuvre freely in the vicinity of each transmitter.
4. It was noteworthy that in the 144 MHz competition, everyone collected their full 'bag' of transmitters within the time limit.
5. Competitors over time in the FoxOring have been re-ordered in terms of the time they were out and not the number of transmitters found.
6. Corrected results posted 16 Jun