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

December 28th, 2024

Twenty-fourth USA Radio Orienteering Championships Bulletin One

Hosted by Backwoods Orienteering Klub

(Subject to sanctioning)

  • Name of the Event
    • Twenty-fourth USA Radio Orienteering Championships
  • Director
    • Joseph Huberman, Joseph@BackwoodsOK.org
  • Registrar
    • Ruth Bromer, Ruth@BackwoodsOK.org
  • Course Designer
    • Charles Scharlau
  • Host club
    • Backwoods Orienteering Klub, Raleigh, NC
      • Member club of Orienteering USA (OUSA)
  • Internet address for up-to-date information
    • http://radio-o.us
    • https://BackwoodsOK.org/ARDF
  • Addresses for information
    • 904 Dorothea Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
    • Joseph@BackwoodsOK.org
  • Itinerary & Venues (subject to change)
    • Training Events: June 14–17, 2025
      • 1725 Gray Owl Road, Asheboro, NC 27205
    • Model event June 18, 2025
      • Morrow Mountain State Park, 49104 Morrow Mountain Rd.Albemarle, NC 28001
    • Championship events June 19-22, 2025
      • Morrow Mountain State Park, 49104 Morrow Mountain Rd.Albemarle, NC 28001
        • June 19 – Sprint
        • June 20 – FoxO
        • June 21 – 2m
        • June 22 – 80m
  • The Categories for the competitions
Women (W)Men (M)Age
W19M1919 and younger
W21M21regardless of age
W35M4035/40 and older
W45M5045/50 and older
W55M6055/60 and older
W65M7065/70 and older
W75M8075/80 and older
December 16th, 2024

Results – Radio-O 2m Short Classic and Sprint at Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest on Sunday December 15 2024

We have had a nice day outdoors catching radio waves. The weather cooperated giving us a nice sun shine in the middle of December. Thank you all for coming. The directors would extend very special thanks to the BOK for scheduling the event, reserving the place, and providing rental equipment, Charles for his tremendous help […]

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December 9th, 2024

Radio-O 2m Short Classic and Sprint at Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest on Sunday December 15 2024

  • We will have a standard 2 meter medium length classic as well as a short sprint course
  • Courses open: 10:00 am
  • Courses close: 3:00 pm. You must be out of the woods and back at check-in by 3:00 pm.
  • Time limit: No time limit.
  • Check-in: Shelter at the Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest. 35.816092, -78.723203

Last minute updates:

  • Full 2 m course (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) – 3.6 km
  • (2, 3, 4, 5) – 2.8 km
  • (2, 3, 4) – 2 km
  • There are two creek crossings on the full 2 m course. Unfortunately after last rains the creek has water. Two suggested crossings are marked on the map. They are shallow but you will see 4 – 5 inches of water. It is not recommended to cross on the fallen trees unless you have excellent balance. Doctors say that you are not going to catch cold when running. After a run dry socks/shoes are suggested. If you do not want to get wet avoid #1.
  • Full Sprint – 2.2 km
  • Half Sprint (Start – 1f, 2f, 3f, 4f, 5f – Beacon – Finish) – 1.3 km

Registration closes at 5 pm on Friday 12/13

Event Directors: Evgeny Danilov, Erin Hammer

November 12th, 2024

Results – Gray Owl Orienteering & Radio-O Weekend Nov 15, 16, 17, 2024

What a fantastic weekend. The rain stopped the day before and we had clear cool weather throughout the weekend. A couple of folks camped and we had participants that came in from Virginia, Boston, Spain, and Oregon. We had 37 participants and they ran 66 races. There was frequent praise on the technical difficulty of […]

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November 10th, 2024

Results: Fall 2024 Radio Orienteering Beginner Classes

All four of the “first timers” from week 1 who participated on week 3, completed the course, finding all five “cycling” foxes. Outstanding!

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