Radio Orienteering

Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF)

Welcome to Radio-O.  Here is how it works! We provide a radio receiver with a directional antenna, an orienteering map, a compass, and a finger stick. By pointing the antenna and listening to the signal you can determine the direction of the signal.  Using this information you navigate to the transmitter and punch in with your finger stick. Only the start and finish are marked on the map and it is important to keep track of where you are.  To qualify as finishing you must find at least one transmitter on your course and reach the finish within the time limit. To calculate results -- first; the number of assigned transmitters you found, then; your time on the course. We offer beginner through advanced courses, Regular BOK fees apply, and Pre-Registration is required.

Latest News in Radio Orienteering

April 2nd, 2025

March 30 Results: New Hope Score-O

We are well into the peak of pollen season here in North Carolina, so clouds of the yellow stuff were blowing out of the trees and many runners emerged from the largely pine forest covered in it. But the temperatures were perfect for running, the forecasted rain held off, and the woods were still open […]

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April 1st, 2025

Spring Radio-O Beginner Classes

Learn Radio Orienteering (aka, ARDF) as the pros learned it. Nadia Scharlau, KO4ADV, got her start in radio-O at age 13 and went on to become a world champion. Later, she taught classes to beginners who became world champions themselves. She still uses the same no-frustration step-by-step approach by which she learned the sport 40+ years ago. Now you can learn that way, too.

Beginner classes are for those new to the sport who want to learn how it is played. Emphasis will be placed on learning to use a radio receiver. Those who have attended previous beginner class sessions and would like a refresher course are also welcome.

Classes are free, but you need to register in our store. Class size is limited to 12 participants.

A short 80m classic practice course will be set up each week, which experienced radio orienteers can use for practice. Everyone needs to register.

Details

  • Event Type: Radio Orienteering Beginner Training on the 80m band
  • Dates: Saturday, April 12; Saturday, April 19; and Saturday, April 26
    Note: classes are held on consecutive Saturdays. There will be two unique class sessions with new material at each one for those who can attend both days. The third session will be a short course for individual practice, and will serve as a “make-up day” for those who missed an earlier class. If you can’t make it to all three, attend the days you can.
  • Start Time: Everyone should arrive by 11 AM
  • Class Ends / Course Closes: 2:00 PM
  • Instructors: Nadia, KO4ADV, and Charles, NZØI

All necessary equipment will be provided at no charge. New concepts will be introduced in sequence at each session, but if you can’t attend all sessions, just come when you can. Previously covered concepts will be reviewed at each session so that you can jump right in.

Class 1: A short beginner course will be set with constantly-operating transmitters. You will learn how to use your receiver.

Class 2: A longer beginner course will be set with “cycling” transmitters. You will learn how to locate radio orienteering “foxes” efficiently.

Class 3: Go solo on a “cycling” beginner course to practice your skills.

We will be hiking the courses together as a group, so please arrive on time to avoid getting left behind!

Those who complete both class sessions may want to try radio orienteering on the weekend of May 10-11 in Asheboro, NC!

March 23rd, 2025

Half-Life Score-O and 2M Radio-O at New Hope Overlook

Half-Life Score-O

Join us for a Score-O event at the New Hope Overlook section of Jordan Lake on Sunday March 30. In this event, your goal is to collect as many points as possible within the allotted time. There is no set route—you can visit the controls in any order you choose.

Special Twist: “Half-Life” Controls
Some controls on the course will be designated as “half-life” controls, meaning their point values will decrease over time. To maximize your score, visit these controls as quickly as possible. These will be denoted as “1/2” on the control description

Event Timing and Rules

  • Map Handout starts at 10:00 and you can use as much time as you want to plan your route
  • Start Time: Anytime after 10:00 AM (but you must finish by 2:00)
  • Time Limit: You have 2 hours from your start time or until 2:00 PM, whichever comes first.
  • Maps will be printed at 1:10000 on an 11×17 (tabloid) sheet. These can be folded in half to fit in a standard map cover

Late Penalty
If you return after your 2-hour limit or after 2:00 PM, you will be penalized 3 points per minute, beginning immediately after the deadline.

Control pickup will begin promptly at 2:00, and help with pickup would be appreciated.

Registration will close at 5pm Friday, March 28. 10am Saturday March 29

There is no entrance fee required at the park.


2M Radio-O

Alongside the regular score orienteering course, BOK is offering a 2m Classic radio orienteering course. This course is meant for experienced radio orienteers and beginner instruction will not be available.

The courses will open soon after 10am to keep time with the score-O and we need you to be done by 2pm so that pickup can begin.

This is a classic 2m course with the goal of making it as much like a championship course as the narrowness of New Hope Overlook allows. The exclusion zone will be 600m instead of the normal 750m, but all controls will be at least 450m from each other.

The courses as designed are

  • Short – controls 2 3 5 with an effective length of 4.2km
  • Medium – controls 2 3 4 5 with an effective length of 4.9km
  • Long – controls 1 2 3 4 5 with a effective length of 6.3km
March 15th, 2025

2025 USA Radio Orienteering Championships

The 24th US Radio Orienteering Championship

We welcome everyone to join us in Central North Carolina from June 14 – 22, 2025

Basic Schedule

  • Practice Days
    • Saturday & Sunday, June 14-15, 2025 – FoxO & Sprint
    • Monday, June 16, 2025 – 2m & Sprint
    • Tuesday, June 17, 2025 – 80m & Sprint
  • Equipment Check, Pre-Event Meeting & Pizza Dinner
    • Wednesday, June 18, 2025 – All transmitter types
  • Championship Races
    • FoxOring – Thursday, June 19, 2025
    • Sprint – Friday, June 20, 2025
    • 2m – Saturday, June 21, 2025
    • 80m – Sunday, June 22, 2025
  • Late fees begin May 1 ($5 per day)

January 15th, 2025

Results – Gray Owl Expert Orienteering, Fox-O, Night events, and 6 & 12-hour Virtual Rogaine 2/1/25 & 2/2/25

On February 1st, BOK held a rogaine training event starting/finishing at Gray Owl in the NE corner of Birkhead Mountains Wilderness. This consisted of two 6-hour “loops” (one during the day and one during the night). Most of the controls on each course didn’t have physical flags. Instead, participants had to use the UsynligO and […]

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