Foxoring

Foxoring seems like an ideal way to get classic orienteers interested in ARDF.  It encourages ARDF enthusiasts to improve their orienteering skills.  Only 80 meters is used for foxoring.

At the start, foxoring competitors get a map marked with nominal positions of at least ten transmitters, plus the start and finish beacon locations.  The fox transmitters are close to their nominal positions as marked on the maps.  Part of the foxoring map from the 2011 Netherlands ARDF Championships is shown at right.

All foxoring transmitters operate continuously.  They are very weak and therefore are audible only in the near vicinity of the antenna.  Competitors navigate close to transmitters by means of the map and then complete the final approach by RDF.  The finish beacon operates at normal power (1W to 5W).

As in regular ARDF, the designated transmitter numbers to be found by competitors in each category are announced in advance.

Category    Number of Foxes   Course Length

             (as announced)

   W19         5 to 8           4 to 6 Km

   W21         6 to 10          5 to 7 Km

   W35         5 to 8           4 to 6 Km

   W50         4 to 7           3 to 5 Km

   W60         4 to 7           3 to 5 Km

   M19         6 to 8           6 to 8 Km

   M21         8 to 10          7 to 9 Km

   M40         6 to 8           6 to 8 Km

   M50         5 to 8           5 to 7 Km

   M60         5 to 8           4 to 6 Km

   M70         4 to 7           3 to 5 Km

Additional rules for foxoring:

• Foxoring transmitters are about 10 milliwatts with a vertical antenna about 30 cm long.  The finish beacon operates at normal power (1W to 5W).
• All foxoring transmitters are usually on the same frequency for ease of tuning by the competitors, but this is not a rules requirement.
• Foxoring transmitters have registering devices (such as. e-punch) but no flags.
• Foxoring transmitters are at least 250 meters apart from each other, at least 250 meters from the start, and at least 250 meters from the finish beacon.
• Each foxoring transmitter is to be clearly audible during the whole competition at its nominal position marked on the map and at 30 meters from its actual position.  Transmitters are not to be audible at a distance of 250 meters (which is the closest that any other transmitter will be).
• Minimum start interval is 2 minutes.
• Competitors enter the pre-start area not earlier than five minutes before their own start and are given their receivers. Competitors receive maps after their start, at the starting line or at the indicated point within the starting corridor.