"Geeks in the woods!" That's how Jay Hennigan, WB6RDV, of Goleta, California, describes Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF). Several times a year, Jay gets together with friends for a session of this international Amateur Radio sport -- also called foxtailing and radio-orienteering. California hams (and would-be hams!) arrive from cities as far away as San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Lancaster to these local events.

As they set out, five 2 meter "foxes" are somewhere in the woods, transmitting for one minute each in sequence. Armed with a special ARDF set or just a handheld transceiver with a measuring-tape Yagi and attenuator, they see how fast they can run or walk from the start to each transmitter in optimum order and then back to the start, or perhaps to a separate finish point. To help them navigate, they carry compasses and special orienteering maps, but they aren't allowed to have GPS displays or other high-tech navigation aids.

Standardized ARDF courses provide a good test of equipment performance and hunter skill. It's friendly competition combined with great exercise. It attracts "techies" and "jocks" of all ages, who don't need a ham license to get started. And for some, it leads to medals at national and international competitions.

Similar informal sessions take place regularly during weather-friendly months in other places around the country, including Albuquerque, Boston and Cincinnati. If there are no such opportunities in your area, why not get the ball rolling yourself? Read about the international rules and simple equipment then talk it up at your local radio club. A future championship foxtailer may be sitting there, waiting for your encouragement and support