ARRL Amateur Radio Direction Finding Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV, reports:
 Day 3: Competitors have precious little time to get accurate bearings on up to five transmitters and to decide a strategy for locating them efficiently. Displaying their DFing skills during the 80-meter competition are Wei Deying of China and Dave Jacobs, K9KBX. |
How They Finished
Two world-class Ukrainian competitors, Volodymyr Griedov and Serhiy Zarubin, turned in the best overall performances on both bands, finding all five foxes in less than 55 minutes each day. Zarubin did it in less than 37 minutes in the 80-meter hunt! Australians Bruce Paterson, VK3TJN, and Adam Scammell, VK3YDF, also did very well in the M21 category (males of any age, five foxes required). Paterson took the bronze on 2 meters in less than 61 minutes and Scammel placed fourth on 80 meters by completing the course in less than 58 minutes. Gyuri Nagi, HA3PA/KF6YKN, was right behind Paterson on 2 meters and took the M21 bronze the next day on 80 by crossing the finish in under 50 minutes.
 After crossing the finish line, competitors catch their breath, then discuss their luck and critique their performances. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP (left), gets the post-finish scoop from Serhiy Zarubin, Ukraine, and Csaba Tiszttarto, USA. |
Five US and three Chinese DFers squared off in the M40 category (males ages 40-49, four foxes required). Dale Hunt, WB6BYU, took gold on both bands with times under 83 minutes. Charles Scharlau, NZ0I--in his first formal ARDF event--grabbed silver on 2 meters and bronze on 80 with times under one hour. Scott Moore, KF6IKO, earned silver on 80, and Kevin Haywood, N4MGB, got bronze on 2 meters.
It was also US vs China in the M50 division (males aged 50-59, four foxes required). Hou Huimin of China went from last place in the 2-meter hunt to gold medalist on 80. The other top positions in this division were a hard-fought contest among Dick Arnett, WB4SUV, Bob Frey, WA6EZV, and Larry Benko, W0QE. Arnett took gold on 2 meters and silver on 80. Benko was a silver medalist on 2 meters, and Frey picked up bronze on both bands.
 After two days of competition, the winners are announced. Here are the US and overall medalists in five age categories ranging from youth to over 60. [Art Goddard, W6XD, Photos] |
The youngest participant--Jay Thompson, W6JAY, who had just turned 16--and the oldest competitor--Harley Leach, KI7XF--were in categories by themselves. Each turned in excellent performances and took home gold medals.
Medals also went to the top three US performers in each category. In addition to the winners already mentioned, these included Gyuri Nagi, HA3PA/KF6YKN, (2 meters and 80 meters, M21, gold); Sam Smith, N4MAP, (2 meters, M21, silver); Hiroshi "Yoh" Izuta, KG6CEH (2 meters, M21, bronze); Dave D'Epagnier, K0QE (80 meters, M21, silver); Rick Barrett, KE6DKF, (80 meters, M21, bronze); and Larry Benko W0QE (80 meters, M50, bronze).
For additional information and photos, visit Joe Moell's Homing In ARDF Web site.