This presentation will cover T- Hunting and ARDF. In this talk we will discuss : The equipment The competition The strategy Other uses for DF

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3 This presentation will cover T- Hunting and ARDF In this talk we will discuss : The equipment The competition The strategy Other uses for DF

4 Types of Transmitter Hunting: Car Hunts or "T-Hunting" One Transmitter Judged by mileage Done from automobiles On foot hunts or "ARDF" Several (usually 5) transmitters Judged by time and score Done on foot

5 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Basic Configuration Home built Commercial Let s get fancy Equipment for the Hunt Master Basic Configurations Equipment suggestions ARDF Specific equipment

6 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Basic Configuration Directional Antenna Attenuator Receiver

7 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Antenna Considerations 2 meter Good front to back ratio 2-5 element beam antennas are typical Flexible elements a plus Light weight and rugged 3rd and 5th harmonic antennas useful in T- hunting but less practical for ARDF 80 meter Loop antennas are typical

8 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Antenna Sources Commercial 2 Meter Arrow (T-hunting) UHF Arrow antenna good for 3rd harmonic sniffing Commercial 80 Meter Typically integrated into receiver

9 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Antenna Sources Home Made 2 Meter Tape Measure popular for ARDF & T-hunting Home Made 80 Meter Typically integrated into receiver

10 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Ron Graham receiver and antenna

11 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Tape Measure antenna

12 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter A typical loop antenna

13 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Attenuator Considerations Variable attenuation (~0 to 120 db) important Integrating antenna & attenuator is popular Passive attenuators tend to be ineffective at close range Active attenuators good to a few feet Active Attenuator / field strength meter combo is ideal Body Nulling and working harmonics (with and without antenna) can be quite effective 80 meter receivers generally have integrated attenuators

14 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Attenuator Sources Commercial Passive Arrow antenna, surplus stores, Ebay, etc. Home Made Passive and Active The Internet is full of projects.

15 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Offset Attenuator

16 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter One of many ways to implement an offset attenuator

17 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter One of many ways to implement an offset attenuator

18 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Passive Attenuators

19 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter The body null - Equipment you already have

20 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter 2 Meter Receiver Considerations HTs and scanners work well Receivers with built in attenuation are best Wide receive range allows for working harmonics MHz *3 = MHz S meter and earphone jack useful 80 Meter Receiver Considerations Receivers designed for ARDF are the only practical choice

21 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Receiver Sources Commercial 80 Meter Equipment is available from Europe Asia Home Made 80 meter Jerry Boyd s (WB8WFK) Fox Finder 80 Dale Hunt s (WB6BYU) R2-80 Receiver

22 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter A modified Ron Graham Receiver Original receiver

23 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Fox Finder 80 R2-80 Receiver

24 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Let s Get Fancy (primarily T-Hunting) Doppler Systems A virtual rotating antenna system that provides an instantaneous vector to the transmitter. Doppler data can be misleading under multi-path conditions Not as sensitive as high gain antennas Useful for the end game

25 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Let s Get Fancy (primarily T-Hunting) Time of Arrival systems A switched antenna system useful for sniffing Easy to build Does not perform well in high multi-path environments Not as sensitive as high gain antennas

26 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Let s Get Fancy (T-Hunting only) Computerized Mapping A GPS, combined with a lap top computer and mapping software such as Street Atlas, aids navigation during car hunts. Software such as APRS+SA adds the ability to plot bearings on electronic map.

27 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter Doppler Systems

28 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter The Super DF TOA system

29 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunter A home made TDOA antenna attached to an HT

30 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunt Master Basic Configuration Controller Transmitter

31 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunt Master Controllers Home Built is Standard (some examples) Montreal Controller by Jacques (VE2EMM) PicCon by Byon Garrabrant (N6BG) Various controllers based on timers and audio recording ICs WB8WFK micro fox WB8WFK/K5ATM FPGA fox

32 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunt Master Car hunt transmitters

33 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunt Master Montreal Fox Controller

34 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunt Master 80 Meter Xmitter

35 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunt Master Albuquerque original Fox Box A Complete Fox Box

36 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment Equipment for the Hunt Master More recent equipment WB8WFK HF and VHF Microfox A Complete Fox All transmitters fit in one daypack

37 ARDF / T-Hunt Equipment ARDF Specific Equipment ARDF is an on foot event. Equipment must be Light Rugged -- especially the antenna Easy to use -- minimize components and wires Stable (i.e. no drift) Low power consumption

38 The Course (controls) There are 5 controls on both a 2-meter and 80-meter ARDF course The controls are marked with a number indicating which control it is 1=MOE, 2=MOI, 3=MOS, 4=MOH and 5= MO5

39 The Course (controls) Each control has a 3 sided flag and a control punch

40 The Course (controls) The punch is used to mark the control card which is used to verify the find

41 Sport ID system (E punch) From K0OV Website

42 The course Transmitter Cycle Repeat Start Repeat MO5 then ID Cycle 5 60 sec Cycle 1 60 sec Repeat MOE then ID Repeat MOH then ID Cycle 4 60 sec Cycle 3 60 sec Repeat MOS then ID Cycle 2 60 sec Repeat MOI then ID MOE MOI MOS MOH MO5

43 The course Transmitter Cycle The finish line has a homing beacon transmitting MO on a different frequency Its not required to find the homing beacon. Its there to help in locating the entrance to the finish line Note: there is a proposed rule change to make it required. Because of electronic punching it was demonstrated during the 2004 world championships as an aid to the operation of the finish line area

44 The course Map Because IOF symbols are used, maps cross the language barrier

45 The course Map The start and finish are clearly marked on the map Triangle marks start Double circle marks finish

46 The course Map Maps are magnetic north up Lines are placed on map indicating magnetic north 1:15000 map with N/S lines 500 Meters apart

47 The course Map Out of bounds areas are marked on map by using red hashed lines

48 The course Map The type of land you will encounter is indicated on the map using a standard symbol system

49 Compass / Navigation You need to be able to keep track of your location on the map in order to plot bearings After a transmitter location is triangulated you navigate to its location using map and compass By using your map and compass you can move toward the transmitter when its off the air

50 Compass / Navigation Good map and compass skills will make you more effective on the course This plays with the next course skill strategy and planning the best route

51 Strategy Remember there are no transmitters with in 750 meters of the start triangle! As soon as you start you want to DF each transmitter and plot your initial bearings Keep track of signal strength as each transmitter cycles

52 Strategy While taking your bearings during the first cycle move! This is more important at VHF then HF After the first cycle you should have a good idea of how the transmitters are spread out.

53 Strategy You may not have there exact locations until you get more data on the next cycle or two after you have moved some However you should already have a first cut hunt order planed shortly after the first cycle and should be attacking your first transmitter when the second cycle starts

54 Strategy Refine hunt order as needed as data indicates. This is more common on VHF then HF Keep track of your location on the map at all times! Keep track of your time on the course and have a must return time

55 Radio and Electronics Homebrew ARDF Equipment is common, including: Attenuators Receivers Transmitters Controllers Your projects can be guided by your interests

56 Antennas \ Propagation ARDF rs learn to interpret multi-path and weed out interference Antenna gain and directivity are exploited Transmitters represent a second antenna and propagation challenge

57 Navigation \ Cartography Homing in is one thing - Not getting lost is another! Maps are created for the course, using: Base Maps Aerial photos GPS and GIS Data Computer "CAD" Programs

58 Strategy ARDF requires a good deal of strategy Planning an initial course Interpreting \ using the map Thinking on your feet \ Working under stress

59 Health ARDF is a Race! Walkers do well, and benefit as much as runners All age groups accommodated by competition classes Pros often train for events Physical Fitness improves course time 2002 USA Champs

60 The Outdoors ARDF Courses are usually Wooded Animal encounters happen! Fresh air and Pine trees Thorns and Chiggers! Enjoy Yourself - Have Fun 2003 USA Champs

61 Other uses for DF Community service ELT location Aiding local law enforcement Locating stuck microphones Balloon tracking

62 Thank you for attending

63 Backup slides are after this slide

64 ARDF has a world championships

65 The US team Back row left to right Nadia Scharlau, Charles Scharlau NZØI, Bob Cooley KF6VSE, Jerry Boyd WB8WFK, Vadim Afonkin, Richard Thompson WA6NOL, Gyuri Nagy KF6YKN, Bob Frey WA6EZV, Csaba Tiszttarto, Dick Arnett WB4SUV, Matt Robbins AA9YH. Front row Jay Thompson W6JAY, Karla Leach KC7BLA, Harley Leach KI7XF, Jay Hennigan WB6RDV. (Photo by Charles Scharlau NZØI)

66 Race 1 (VHF,HF) I was sent out on #1 Starting area for day 1 Rx impound and start line was out of sight from waiting area

67 Race 1 (VHF,HF) Holding area waiting for RX impound

68 Race 1 (VHF,HF) Start times were posted in holding area

69 Race 1 (VHF,HF) #2 #1 VHF start

70 Race 1 (VHF,HF)

71 Race 1 (VHF,HF)

72 Race 1 (VHF,HF)

73 Race 1 (VHF,HF)

74 Race 1 (VHF,HF)

75 Race 1 (VHF,HF) The water crossing

76 Race 1 (VHF,HF)

77 Race 1 (VHF,HF) Now that s a big screen TV

78 Race 1 (VHF,HF) VHF Finish line sport ID punch

79 Race 1 (VHF,HF)

80 Race 1 (VHF,HF)

81 Race 1 (VHF,HF) Download tent

82 Race 1 (VHF,HF) No Ice! Lets use COLD BEER!

83 Race 2 (HF, VHF) Starting area for Day 2

84 Race 2 (HF, VHF) Tools for day 2

85 Race 2 (HF, VHF) Arrived Just out side holding area

86 Race 2 (HF, VHF)

87 Race 2 (HF, VHF) To the holding area

88 Race 2 (HF, VHF) Holding area

89 Race 2 (HF, VHF) Flags of the nations attending

90 Race 2 (HF, VHF) What s up? Team USA has something very interesting

91 Race 2 (HF, VHF) The downloaded internet Topo map was popular

92 Race 2 (HF, VHF) Day two equipment impound

93 Race 2 (HF, VHF)

94 Race 2 (HF, VHF)

95 Race 2 (HF, VHF)

96 Race 2 (HF, VHF)

97 Race 2 (HF, VHF)

98 Race 2 (HF, VHF) The largest portable TV I have ever seen!

99 Race 2 (HF, VHF)

100 Race 2 (HF, VHF) There were kids going around and asking for autographs

101 Race 2 (HF, VHF) Day 2 finish line

102 Race 2 (HF, VHF) They had a high speed internet tent in the finish line area

103 Hamfest

104 T-hunting & ARDF Radiosport in the USA! Thank You for coming Our website URL