HOMING IN
“Why were those radio direction finding (RDF) sets impounded?” That was the question I received in an email from Kirk Groeneveld, KC8JRV, about my August column. He was referring to the photo of receivers and antennas on a tarp at the start of the 80-meter classic event of the USA ARDF Championships. Kirk wondered if they were there for inspection or calibration.
It is a good question that brings up the broad topic of rules for hidden transmitter hunting. For high-profile contests in Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF), also called fox-tailing and radio-orienteering, there may be participants from many states and countries. It is important that each one has a fair chance at winning medals and that everyone understands how the event is run and scored. Since the first World Championships in 1980, there have been detailed rules that are written and approved by representatives of the participating nations through a committee of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).
The procedures for classic ARDF competitions call for each competitor to place his or her receiver into an impound area upon arrival at the warm-up area near the start. The receivers are not inspected by the organizers or judges. Individuals can pick them up 10 minutes before assigned start time but
