ARDF
ARDF — Radio Orienteering, also known as ‘direction finding’: a sporting variant of amateur radio involving a direction-finding receiver, a map and a compass.
What is ARDF all about?
ARDF – also known as radio orienteering or ‘direction finding’ – is a sporting variant of amateur radio. Transmitters hidden in the woods must be located as quickly as possible using a direction-finding receiver, a map and a compass. The sport demands a unique combination of physical fitness, a sense of direction and a technical understanding of the propagation of radio waves.
Four disciplines are contested internationally: Foxoring, Sprint, Classic 2m and Classic 80m. The total running distance ranges from one to ten kilometres, depending on the discipline and category. The Swiss ARDF Team organises training sessions and represents Switzerland at international competitions — and has repeatedly secured medal positions in recent years.
Fancy giving direction-finding a go yourself?
The Swiss ARDF Team publishes the latest direction-finding events via the sections listed below. Participation is open to anyone interested, regardless of skill level — even without an amateur radio licence.
ARDF in sections and groups
| Organiser | ARDF events |
|---|---|
| Bern Section HB9F | Several direction-finding events per year following IARU rules or long-distance direction-finding |
| Schaffhausen Section HB9SH | 2m direction finding |
| Solothurn Radio and Technology Club HB9FTS | Direction finding with a barbecue |
| Basel Section HB9BS | Several direction-finding events per year involving vehicles |
| Mühleweg Amateur Radio Club HB9CL | Direction finding on Field Day |
| Vaud Section HB9MM | Several ‘Gonio’ direction-finding events per year in accordance with IARU |
| Winterthur Section HB9W | Summer social get-togethers with direction-finding and mini-golf |
| St. Gallen Section HB9SG | ARDF in Andwilermoos |
| Thun Section HB9T | Family orienteering, holiday pass with ARDF |
| Pierre-Pertuis Section HB9XC | ‘Chasse aux renards’ orienteering events |
This provides[DE] USKA-Broschüre zum Thema Amateurfunkpeilen helpful tips and information.
Contact
USKA ARDF contacts:
Michael Lerjen HB9ENL · Paul Rudolf HB9AIR
✉ ardf@uska.ch