Tracking the Hidden "Foxes" by Radio Waves... Korea Amateur Radio Direction Finding National Championship Opens

A "Radio Sport" of Tracking Transmitters with Receivers and Compasses
25th KARDF National Championship to Be Held in Wanju on June 13

An unusual leisure sport known as "Fox Hunting," where participants use receivers and compasses to scour forests and fields in search of hidden transmitters, will take place in Wanju, North Jeolla Province.

The Central Radio Management Service of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Amateur Radio League announced on June 12 that the 25th Korea Amateur Radio Direction Finding (KARDF) National Championship will be held on June 13 in the Wanju area of North Jeolla Province.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Provided by Pixabay

Amateur radio direction finding is a competition in which participants must locate hidden radio transmitters (also called "Foxes") within a designated area using only radio signals. Contestants use receivers, compasses, and competition maps to track the position of the transmitters, and the winner is the one who finds the targets in the shortest amount of time.

Also referred to as "Radio Fox Hunting," this activity combines radio communication technology with orienteering (an outdoor navigation sport using maps and compasses), and is characterized by analyzing the direction and strength of radio waves to find the targets.

First launched in 2000, the KARDF National Championship is held annually with the aim of advancing domestic amateur radio technology, promoting healthy hobby culture, and facilitating technical exchanges among enthusiasts. This year marks the 25th event.

The competition is divided into team and individual events. The team event is split into general and youth divisions, while the individual event is further segmented by gender and age. Participants are required to bring a receiver, compass, and writing utensils, although receivers can also be rented on site.

The Central Radio Management Service expects this event will give participants an opportunity to experience the principles of radio firsthand and apply direction-finding techniques. In particular, the organization hopes to highlight that amateur radio is not just a hobby but also a communication technology that can be utilized in disaster and emergency situations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.