Killeen, Texas April 6-10, 2016
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 1 Competitor Review
• Welcome • Safety • Technical • Rules • Start procedure • Finish procedure • Sponsors
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 2 Welcome to Texas
• Second United States or IARU regional ARDF championships held in Texas
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 3 Welcome to Bell County • Bell County is named after Peter Hansborough Bell, the third Governor of Texas • Home of Fort Hood, one of the largest military bases in the world • Located on the historic Chisholm Trail • A region of cross-timbers and prairies at the northern edge of the Texas Hill Country • Live oak, mesquite, ash juniper, and prickly pear cactus
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 4 Berry Springs Park and Preserve • The land grant was first settled by John Berry, a veteran of the Texas Revolution, in 1846, in recognition for his war service • Williamson County acquired the land from Berry’s descendants and the park was opened in 2005 • The property features a pecan orchard that once had over 1,000 trees, many of which remain • The park also features two donkeys, Bob and Amigo, (which you can feed snacks) and a small family graveyard
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 5 Dana Peak Park • Located on the north shore of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, a man-made reservoir on the Lampasas River • The lake and parks are operated by the Fort Worth District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • The reservoir was impounded in 1968 to provide flood control and drinking water to Bell County communities • Dana Peak rises approximately 230 feet (70 meters) above the lake
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 6 Parrie Haynes Ranch • Total area: 4,525 acres (18 km2) in two large blocks connected by a short trail easement • Adjacent to the Lampasas River; Gann Branch flows through the eastern block • Donated to the state of Texas by Mrs. Parrie Haynes upon her death in 1957 • Today, the ranch is managed by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and is leased to two operators: the Parrie Haynes Equestrian Center (eastern block), and the Parrie Haynes C5 Youth Ranch (western block)
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 7 Facilities at the Event Sites • There is good cell phone coverage everywhere in Berry Springs Park and Preserve and Dana Peak Park; there are some areas of poor/no coverage at Parrie Haynes Ranch • The water at Parrie Hayes Equestrian Center is not drinkable; we will provide water but you may also want to bring your own • Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Dana Peak Park, and the Parrie Haynes C5 Youth Ranch have full service restrooms with running water; the Parrie Haynes Equestrian Center has outhouses
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 8 Organization and Introductions • Jen Harker W5JEN, Chairman and Course Setter • Ken Harker WM5R, Web Site and Support • Marvin Johnston KE6HTS, Computations • Joe Moell K0OV, ARRL ARDF Coordinator • Volunteers
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 9 Wednesday Schedule • Practice Event 3.5 MHz Sprint – Berry Springs Park and Preserve – 10:00 AM Arrive and park at the Tonkawa Pavilion Large Group Picnic Shelter – 11:00 AM First Start – Lunch is not provided – The park donkeys, Bob and Amigo, like carrots and apples – All trainees should be in by 2:00 PM
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 10 Thursday Schedule • Fox-Oring Competition – Dana Peak Park – There is a $5/car fee at the park entrance – 8:30 AM Arrive and park at the Comanche Gap Pavilion Large Group Picnic Shelter – 9:00 AM First Start. There will be a 120 minute time limit for this competition. There is very little shade at the start/finish areas in this park, even by Texas standards, so wearing a hat is recommended. – Lunch is not provided – All competitors should be in by 1:00 PM
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 11 Friday Schedule • 3.5 MHz Sprint – Parrie Haynes C5 Youth Camp – 9:00 AM Competitors arrive and park at the Hilltop Complex at the end of Gann Branch Road. Competitors should bring both 3.5 MHz and 144 MHz receivers with them. – 9:30 AM Equipment Impound – 10:00 AM First start. There will be a 60 minute time limit for this competition. – All competitors should be in by 12:00 PM. Catered lunch provided. – Following the competitor meeting, both 3.5 MHz and 144 MHz transmitters will be placed in the woods, using power levels and transmit sequences consistent with what will be used in the classic- length competitions on Saturday and Sunday. Competitors will use this opportunity to verify operation of their equipment. – 4:00 PM All transmitters turned off.
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 12 Saturday Schedule • Classic Distance 144 MHz Competition – Parrie Haynes Equestrian Center – 8:30 AM Arrive and park at the Club House at the end of the paved driveway – 9:00 AM Equipment impound – 10:00 AM First start. There will be a 150 minute time limit for this competition. – 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Lunch provided. – All competitors should be in by 2:00 PM
• Group Dinner – Club House at 6:00 PM – Awards for Fox-Oring, 3.5 MHz Sprint, and 144 MHz competitions
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 13 Sunday Schedule • Classic Distance 3.5 MHz Competition – Parrie Haynes C5 Youth Ranch – 7:30 AM Competitors arrive and park at the Hilltop Complex at the end of Gann Branch Road. Competitors should bring their 3.5 MHz receivers with them. – 8:00 AM Equipment Impound – 9:00 AM First start. There will be a 150 minute time limit for this competition. – 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch provided. – All competitors should be in by 1:00 PM – Awards for 3.5 MHz competition as soon as practicable afterward
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 14 Safety in the Woods
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 15 Safety • Safety is our number one concern! • Safety bearings – Berry Springs Park and Preserve: south to Berry Creek then east to County Road 152 – Dana Peak Park: south to the lake shore – Parrie Haynes Equestrian Center: east to Maxdale Road – Parrie Haynes C5 Youth Ranch: south to Gann Branch Road – Both blocks of Parrie Haynes Ranch are enclosed in perimeter fences that are in good condition • Every competitor should carry a whistle to signal for emergency aid • A medic will be available at the finish line
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 16 Weather • The average high temperature for April 6-10 in Killeen, Texas is 74°F (23°C) • The average low temperature for those days is 54°F (12°C) • The record high temperature for those days is 87°F (31°C) (set in 2011), and the record low is 41°F (5°C) (set in 2009) • In that time of April, rain or thunderstorms can happen on about one day out of every five, and the most common sky condition will be partly cloudy • All competitors should be prepared to compete in the rain if necessary
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 17 Dressing for the Woods • Loose-fitting athletic clothing. Long nylon pants and/or gaiters are preferred • Trail or running shoes • A watch • An emergency whistle • Water recommended • Energy snack optional • Hat optional
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 18 Dangerous Wildlife • Potentially dangerous wildlife that could be found at the event sites include: – Venomous snakes – Feral hogs and wild boar – Mountain lions – Coyotes – Bobcats – Three varieties of venomous spiders – Biting and stinging insects – Poison ivy
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 19 Western Diamondback Rattlesnake • Found throughout the Texas Hill Country – They have been seen at Parrie Haynes Ranch and might be at Dana Peak Park – More likely to be in open, grassy areas of scrub vegetation – Bite can be fatal in a very small percentage of cases
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 20 Feral Hogs/Wild Boar • There are wild hogs at Parrie Haynes Ranch – Some may have tusks, most do not – Typically 50-100 pounds (23-45 kg), but older animals can be 200 pounds (90 kg) – They will try to avoid humans; if you see one, especially any piglets, keep your distance – Hogs cannot climb trees
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 21 Mountain Lions/Cougars • Mountain Lions are known to live in the Texas Hill Country – No recent sightings in Bell or Williamson Counties – No human attacks in Texas in over 30 years – If you see one, make yourself as large and loud as possible – If attacked, fight back
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 22 Coyotes • Coyotes are found throughout Texas – Adult coyotes are typically 25 to 40 pounds (11-18 kg) – Coyotes mostly hunt at night, sometimes in packs and sometimes solo – Attacks on humans are very uncommon and rarely fatal – If you see one, stay clear and make noise to scare it off
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 23 Texas Bobcat • Bobcats are found throughout Texas – Adult bobcats weight between 15 and 40 pounds (6.5 to 18 kg) – Short (bob) tail and distinctive whiskers – Cubs are usually born in April; if you see a den, avoid disturbing it – Bobcats mostly hunt at night – Only attack people if rabid
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 24 Southern Copperhead • Venomous snake – Likes to hide in leaves and under logs – More likely to be in lower elevations near drainage – Bite is seldom fatal, but does require immediate medical attention
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 25 Coral Snake • Very skinny with distinctive red, yellow, and black bands – Red and yellow, kill a fellow – Can be found all over eastern half of Texas and into the Texas Hill Country – Not aggressive – Highly venomous - bite can easily be fatal
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 26 Timber Rattlesnake • Also known as the Canebrake Rattlesnake – Threatened species, so you are very unlikely to see one – Tend to hide in piles of leaves, under logs – Our event locations are at western edge of their natural territory – Bite can be fatal
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 27 Western Cottonmouth • Short and thick, with a bright white color on the inside of the mouth – Rarely very far from permanent water source – Can be found throughout eastern half of Texas – Venomous bite can be fatal
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 28 Southern Black Widow • Small and black with a red hourglass shaped marking – Common throughout the USA – No more likely to be found in Texas than in other parts of the country – Venomous bite is rarely fatal, but does require immediate medical attention
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 29 Brown Recluse • Up to ¾ (2 cm) long – Common throughout the Midwest and southeastern United States – Prefer rotting tree bark as a habitat – Venomous bite is rarely fatal, but does require immediate medical attention
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 30 Tarantula • Common throughout eastern and central Texas – Bodies are 1 to 4 (2.5 to 4 cm) in length – Found in trees and on the ground – Slow and non- aggressive – Venomous bite is almost never fatal, but should be treated immediately to avoid infection
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 31 Striped Bark Scorpion • Common in Texas – Rarely larger than 6-7 cm in length, often smaller – Stings can be extremely painful – Venomous bite is almost never fatal, but can induce Check your shoes before putting anaphylactic shock them on!
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 32 Parasitic Insects • Deer ticks – Examine yourself after each trip into the woods – Remove entire tick if you are being bitten – Can carry Lyme disease • Chiggers – Harvest mites – Remove with scotch tape or by showering – Usually does not transmit diseases
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 33 Stinging Insects • Fire ants • Bees, wasps, hornets • Mosquitoes
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 34 Common Fauna • Some other fauna you might see: – White-tail deer – Grey fox – Rabbits – Squirrels – Opossums – Armadillo – Turkey – Small lizards – A wide variety of birds
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 35 The Ash Juniper
• The Ash Juniper, also locally known as scrub juniper, “mountain cedar,” or just “cedar” is common throughout the Texas Hill Country – Dense limb structure goes all the way to the ground – Up to 30 feet (10m) high – Dense groves are often better to go around than Botanically, not actually a part of the cedar family go through
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 36 Poison Ivy Could be seen anywhere in central Texas
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 37 Common Flora • Some other flora of note: – Prickly-pear – Green briar – Yucca – Blackberries – Grapevines
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 38 Trail Notes • At Parrie Haynes Ranch, most trails are used for horseback riding – Hikers give way to bikers and horse riders – Bikers give way to horse riders – Some parts of the trails show damage from horse traffic You may encounter mountain – You may also encounter bikers in Dana Peak Park or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) Berry Springs Park and Preserve
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 39 Other terrain notes • Most fences on the maps include barbed wire – Both blocks of Parrie Haynes Ranch have perimeter fences in good repair – Fences at Dana Peak Park that are not on the park boundary may be on the ground and in poor repair • Many drainages have steep sides – Called arroyos here – Plan your crossings carefully
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 40 Technical
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 41 144 MHz • Mode A2A (AM keyed carrier) • Control transmitters will be on 144.525 MHz • Homing beacon will use 145.565 MHz • Transmitter antennas are omni-directional and horizontally polarized • All transmitters will identify with a call sign at the end of each one-minute transmission
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 42 3.5 MHz • Mode A1A (keyed CW) • Fox-Oring control transmitters will be on 3.579 MHz • Frequencies for the 3.5 MHz Sprint will be 3.510 MHz (slow), 3.540 MHz (spectator/homing), and 3.570 MHz (fast) • Classic-Distance control transmitters will be on 3.579 MHz • Classic-Distance homing beacon frequency will be 3.530 MHz • Transmitter antennas are omni-directional and vertically polarized • All transmitters will identify with a call sign at the end of each one-minute transmission
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 43 What You Are Looking For
• Standard orange and white orienteering control • Electronic punching equipment to record your visit at the control • Paper punch to use as a backup • Transmitter and antenna are within 4 meters of the control flag
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 44 Transmitter Sequence • All transmitters are on the same frequency • Each transmitter sends its Morse Code ID (MOE, MOI, MOS, MOH, or MO5) for one minute out of five, taking turns MOE MOI MOS MOH MO5
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 45 Rules
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 46 Courses • Exclusion areas around start and finish will be marked on the map • The 3.5 MHz Sprint will be taking place on a section of the Parrie Haynes C5 Youth Ranch map that is not going to contain transmitters for the 3.5 MHz Classic Distance Competition • Competitors should not enter out-of-bounds areas on the map – There is a private home (the Hoover House) at the southwest corner of the Parrie Haynes Equestrian Center map that is out of bounds – Courses have been designed such that doing so will not improve your time – Similarly, there is no advantage to be gained by being off map
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 47 Eleven Entry Classes 144 MHz 3.5 MHz course course Category Gender and Age length length Transmitters W19 Women 19 years old or younger
W21 Women, any age
W35 Women ages 35 or older
W50 Women ages 50 or older
W60 Women ages 60 or older
M19 Men 19 years old or younger
M21 Men, any age
M40 Men ages 40 or older
M50 Men ages 50 or older
M60 Men ages 60 or older
M70 Men ages 70 or older
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 48 The Maps • The Berry Springs Park and Preserve map (for the training day) will be 8.5 x 11 inches (21.6 cm x 28 cm), portrait orientation, at 1:7500 scale with three (3) meter contours. • The Dana Peak map (Fox-Oring competition) will be 8.5 x 11 inches (21.6 cm x 28 cm), portrait orientation, at 1:10000 scale with three (3) meter contours. • The map for the Sprint competition at Parrie Haynes Ranch is to be determined, but will likely be at 1:7500 or 1:5000 scale.
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 49 The Maps • The map for the 144 MHz Classic Distance Competition will be printed on 11 x 17 inches (28 x 43.2 cm) paper at 1:10000 scale, portrait orientation. The map can be trimmed/folded to an area of 11 x 12 inches (28 x 30.5 cm) when placing on a map board. Contour intervals on the Parrie Haynes maps are five (5) meters. • The map for the 3.5 MHz Classic Distance Competition will be printed on 11 x 17 inches (28 x 43.2 cm) paper at 1:10000 scale, portrait orientation. The map can be trimmed/folded to an area of 11 x 15 inches (28 x 38.1 cm) when placing on a map board. Contour intervals on the Parrie Haynes maps are five (5) meters.
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 50 SportIdent • Memory stick records timestamp at each punch • You will punch several times: – Clear – Check – Start – Once at each control – Finish – Download • Paper punches will be at every control as well
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 51 GPS • GPS devices that display digital map information will not be permitted on course and their use by a competitor will be subject to disqualification • GPS devices used for route recording that cannot be used for navigation will be permitted
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 52 Start procedure
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 53 Start Order
• Competitors start in 5 minute intervals • We will start several competitors at a time – Not in the same category – Not related to one another or from the same state • The start list will be drawn between registration close and the first day of competition and will be available at the start area each day • All competitors will wear numbered bibs for identification
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 54 Equipment impound
• Impound will be at the start area • Equipment must be impounded before first start time • Bags will be available for competitors to store jackets, cameras, backup receivers, etc. which will be transported back to the finish
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 55 Pre-Start Stage 1
• Be at the start 10 minutes before your start time – Collect receiver from impound – Do not turn on receiver – Volunteer will check that you are in the corridor – Collect map from volunteer – Attach map to map board or place map in clear plastic bag (your preference)
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 56 Pre-Start Stage 2
• 5 minutes before your start time – Do not turn on receiver – Clear and check electronic punch – Check/synchronize your watch – Make sure you haven’t forgotten anything
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 57 Start
• When the timer sounds – MOE will be starting its transmission time – Electronic punch at Start – Turn on receiver – Run to end of start corridor (marked by surveyor tape) – Start triangle on ground matches location of start triangle on the map – Take bearings and go
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 58 Finish Procedure
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 59 Finish Corridor
• Finish corridor will be marked with pennant tape and a banner at the finish line – Homing beacon will be located at the entrance to the finish corridor – Competitors must travel the entire length of the corridor – Electronic punch at Finish line
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 60 Time Limit
• There is a time limit for all competitors on course – 120 minutes for the Fox-Oring Competition – 60 minutes for the 3.5 MHz Sprint Competition – 180 minutes for the 144 MHz Classic-Distance Competition – 150 minutes for the 3.5 MHz Classic-Distance Competition – Measured from time of punch at Start to time of punch at Finish – All competitors are strongly encouraged to wear a watch to keep track of their time on course – Finishing over the time limit will result in disqualification
4 April 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 61 SportIdent Download • Take SportIdent memory stick to download station – Volunteer at finish will direct you – Marvin will explain download procedure – Collect your split times printout
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 62 Awards • Medals will be awarded in each category – First place – Second place – Third place
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 63 Sponsors
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 64 Major Sponsors American Radio Relay League Austin Orienteering Club
Additional Support From
Los Angeles Orienteering Club OH-KY-IN Amateur Radio Society
29 March 2016 Ken Harker WM5R Slide 65