Summer ARDF Completion

“Fox Hunt”

Official Rules

A. OVERVIEW

A.1.
These rules are for use at ARDF  sessions held by the Clarksville Amateur Transmitting Society (CATS) 

A.2.
These rules are designed to support the development and growth of the sport of ARDF in the Tuckasee area.  Significant rule modifications shall be communicated to participants before the event. 

B. ORGANIZATIONAL

B.1.
Competition is open to all foxhunters. Please contact us in advance if you plan to compete.  Formal awards are given, results will be posted to the KF4L website and the Reflector.

The age categories are as follows: 

B1.1
At the discretion of the hunt chairman, divisions may be combined whenever the total number of persons in two adjacent age divisions is less than those in other divisions. If so, it should be announced in advance if possible.

B1.2 

The competition will have 3 grand prize categories one for best homebrew antenna construction, one for best overall fox hunt equipment setup, one for best time. 

C. TECHNICAL

C1. General

C1.1
RDF hunts shall take place on one band, namely 2 meters.

C1.2
It is absolutely forbidden to give or take any assistance from or to any person, including competitors. The penalty for any infraction shall be disqualification. However competitors are expected to provide emergency assistance or first aid to another competitor when needed:  no competitor will be disqualified for providing such assistance so long as they gain no competitive advantage by doing so. 

C1.3
The use of GPS receivers for navigation is not allowed. It is considered receiving assistance.

C1.4
Competitors shall not inflict loss or damage on or to the property of any other person or the venue. In the event that the hunt is held at a state park such as the land between the lakes members should be advised that they meet wild life on their own terms.

C1.5
Competitors take part in all competitions at their own risk. All Competitors from other clubs will be required to sign a waiver form.

C.2 Technical

C.2.1
The safety of the participants shall be a prime consideration in choosing a site for an event. All competitors if first aid or major medical help is needed then there will be emergency channel established ether on the 2 meter or 70cm bands to get help to who needs it.

C.2.2
Each course will have at least 3 transmitters. Minimum distance between transmitters is 800m, and the transmitter closest to the starting point should be at least 950m away. Total course length from start to finish, via all transmitters, should be between 4 and 7 km. 

C2.2.1
In the event of inclement weather, the course setter is entitled to recall the competition until such weather passes.  And if time permits the course will resume as soon as the storm passes. In the case of lightning if there is lightning detected the course will be recalled immediately and will resume as soon as all lightning has passed or is determined to be no harm this is done by a time base if there is no lighting in a 7min period in a 30min time frame then this can be determined a safe period and if time permits the course will resume.

C.2.3.
Each transmitter will be marked with a marker or flag within 2 meters.  Although the standard red and white triangular prism is recommended, any unique, brightly colored marker is acceptable. All prisms must be identical, and a sample must be displayed at the starting point. The transmitter number shall be marked on the prism.  The prism must be at least 1 meter above the ground and visible from at least 10 meters away.

C.2.4
Transmitters must be operated within the regulations of the FCC. Frequencies shall be chosen in accordance with the local band plan. 

C.2.5.
Antenna patterns will be omni-directional or directional   

C.2.6.
The transmitters will send a Tone sequence and CW sequence that will be                       KF4L T1, KF4L T2, and KF4L T3

C.2.7
Transmitter 

C2.7.1
Transmitters shall be searched by each category as follows. 

• M19,F19 and M20,F20 category shall search all three transmitters unless they are in the Fh or Mh category then they will only be scored for the #1 and #3 transmitters and their scores will be determined in the Grand prize running

The competitors control card will have the transmitters not scored marked out with a large "X". 

D. RULES FOR COMPETITORS

D.1
Each competitor shall provide his or her own equipment. 

D.2
Competitors will be given a map and starting ticket. The starting ticket must be marked at each transmitter found, and returned at the finish line. Transmitters may be found in any sequence. 

D.4
The Fox Hunt chairman will establish starting order, start corridors, waiting areas, control of equipment, etc., as appropriate.. 

D.5
Timeout: The maximum time allowed on the course shall be announced before the start of the course, and will be at least 2 hours. The normal time out limit is 3 hours. Any competitor exceeding this time shall be disqualified. The club may also, at their discretion, modify the timeout period the day of the event to take into account for any unexpected situations such as weather. The timeout period may not be modified once the event has started.