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