AMATEUR  RADIO DIRECTION FINDING -

AN EXCITING AMATEUR RADIO SPORT

 ARDF - amateur radio direction finding, is an exciting branch of amateur radio activities,  attracting people from youngsters and teenagers to experienced old timers and veterans. ARDF joins the amateur radio skills  like construction of transmitters and receivers, knowledge of HF and VHF propagations  phenomena, antenna patterns, evaluation of strength  and quality of received signals (and basic knowledge of Morse code too!) - with orienteering skills like proper using of map and its symbols, usage of compass and taking bearings and azimuths, continuous knowledge of own position in the terrain (without using of GPS satellite  equipment), and - last but not least - with physical  fitness  and ability to run a couple of kilometers in diversified terrain, mostly wooded. But over all, ARDF is a pleasure of being in direct contact with nature, of breathing the fresh and unpolluted air, of joining  with friends from different amateur radio clubs and societies.

It is an unforgotten  experience to meet - when running from one hidden  transmitter to another – a deer family or lonely hare wondering who disturbs his quiet forest enclave.

Tens and hundreds  of ARDF events are organized every year by the local amateur radio clubs, amateur societies and on the highest level - by the  International Amateur Radio Union. Participants of these  events arrive to the spot announced by the organizer, dress the sport garments suitable for running and start in small groups to meet the direction finding adventure. Their task is to discover  -by taking  radio bearings - four or five low power hidden transmitters, located in a forest in adequate distance each from other. The discovery  of hidden transmitter has to be confirmed electronically by personal presence at the spot. The winner of the event is an amateur who discover, visit all prescribed transmitters and appear at finish line in a shortest possible time.

ARDF is not  only a joy for its enthusiasts. It is a powerful tool for attracting people, especially youngsters, towards the amateur radio. A thousands of nowadays experienced transmitting amateurs have started  their amateur radio activity as ARDF competitors in junior  category. ARDF is the only amateur activity open to the public  - usually there are hundreds of spectators at the start and finish of big events like regional or worldwide championships which  are usually served by the media - press, radio and TV. Thus - ARDF is a powerful tool of informing the society on the existence and aims of amateur radio. From the point of IARU and its  international tasks - ARDF is often a mean of attracting the amateur societies  in developing countries, leading them to join IARU. 

(from "Information" published by the ARDF-WG of IARU Region 1 - June 1995)