A member of Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) Team USA medaled in the 17th ARDF World Championships earlier this month in Kazakhstan. Vadim Afonkin, KB1RLI, of Boston, Massachusetts, took home a silver medal in the men’s age 40-49 category in the 2 meter competition on September 8, the first day of competition. The Kazakhstan Federation of Radiosport and Radioamateur (KFRR) hosted the championships, which included formal competitions on 2 meters and 80 meters, plus sprints and foxoring. Afonkin placed fourth in the 80 meter spring competition on September 11, with a time just 4 seconds greater than the bronze medalist from Lithuania. He also finished among the top seven in the sprint and foxoring competitions. This year’s World Championships attracted 277 competitors from 25 nations, and it was the first time the competition was held in Kazakhstan.

“Every 2 years, hams from around the world gather to see who is best at on-foot hidden transmitter hunting,” said ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV. “USA has been represented at every one of these ARDF World Championships since 1988.” Moell said Team USA also has taken home at least one medal since 2006.

Moell said there were separate events on separate days for each competitor on 80 meters and 2 meters, each involving up to five hidden transmitters scattered in a forest of 1000 acres or more.

In addition to Afonkin, Team USA 2014 included Ruth Bromer, WB4QZG, of Raleigh, North Carolina; Jennifer Harker, W5JEN, of Austin, Texas; Ken Harker, WM5R, of Austin, Texas; Joseph Huberman, K5JGH, of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Leszek Lechowicz, NI1L, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Veteran ADRFer Marvin Johnston, KE6HTS, served as a member of the international jury overseeing the competition. About 150 onlookers enjoyed the competition.

Each country may have up to three people per age/gender category on its team. Team USA positions were filled based on performance in the 2013 and 2014 USA ARDF Championships. Preparations now are underway for the 2015 national championships in Colorado. Winners at that competition may be eligible for a place on Team USA 2016 for the next World Championships in Bulgaria.

Results of all competitions are available on the German ARDF site. More information about Amateur Radio Direction Finding is on the Homing In website. — Thanks to ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV