Here is an update on the 5th IARU Region 3 ARDF Championships.

For the uninitiated, ARDF is an Amateur Radio Direction Finding contest and
is similar in many
ways to Orienteering - except that the control points are not marked on the
map - they must be found using portable radio direction finding equipment.
Everything else is the same - map reading and compasses are essential, as is
the means of strategy of getting to the controls as quickly as possible.
Even though it started as an amateur radio activity, you don't need to be an
amateur to participate as you won't be transmitting. ARDF is active in many
countries around the world.
For more on ARDF, see the web site: http://www.ardf.org.au

The IARU Region 3 (International Amateur Radio Union - Asia-Pacific region)
is
holding it's Amateur Radio Direction Finding Championships this year in
Australia around the city of Ballarat, a large provincial city in the state
of
Victoria.

The event runs from Friday 28 November 2003 to Wednesday 3 December 2003.

The Victorian ARDF Group, which is organising the event, is expecting up to
100 participants from member societies in IARU Region 3 including Japan,
Korea, China, New Zealand, and Australia.
Guest competitors from other IARU Regions are also invited to attend in the
world-wide Friendship categories.
The championships are hosted by the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA),
with the WIA Victorian Division sponsoring this important event.

Full details of the event including competitor and volunteer registrations
can be found at:
http://www.ardf.org.au

Please register early as alternative accommodation will be limited due to
another large national sporting event held at this time.

The proposed program in 2003 is:
Friday 28th November: Arrival Day
Saturday 29th November: Equipment Check & Opening Ceremony
Sunday 30th November: 2m ARDF Competition
Monday 1st December: Tour Day
Tuesday 2nd December: 80m ARDF Competition &
Award Presentations & Closing Banquet
Wednesday 3rd December: Departure Day

Ballarat is a historic gold mining town in North Western Victoria, but is
only about 1.5 hours travelling time from Melbourne Airport.
Transport will be provided from Melbourne Airport to the Mt. Helen Victoria
University Campus which is the event centre and accommodation.

A special event amateur radio station will be available for use by our
visitors.

Competitors may enter the official Region 3 competition or the world-wide
Friendship categories.
Team results will only apply for Region 3 competitors.

A and B teams (2 teams of up to 3) will be allowed in any age/sex category
(over and above this further Region 3 competitors may be allowed in the
friendship only category if there are vacancies).

Related links -

Official WEB site:
http://www.ardf.org.au

Ballarat and district information:
http://www.ballarat.com

Mt. Helen Victoria University:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au

Further enquires can be directed to:
Mr. Jack Bramham, VK3WWW,
Federal ARDF coordinator,
Wireless Institute of Australia