Members of Radio Club "Nikola Tesla" Banja Luka took part in the Pecka Outdoor Festival again this year, where they presented the club's work, amateur radio activities, and the opportunities this technical hobby offers to visitors.
The seventh edition of the Pecka Outdoor Festival was held from 26 to 28 June 2026 in the village of Pecka near Mrkonjić Grad. Over three days, the festival brought together lovers of nature, adventure, and active time outdoors, with hiking, cycling, climbing, canyoning, camping, educational workshops, activities for children, and a music program.
Amateur Radio Direction Finding Workshop
As part of the festival program, members of our club organized a workshop on amateur radio direction finding, better known as ARG or "fox hunting." The workshop attracted a large number of interested visitors, from the youngest participants to adults who wanted to learn about this interesting amateur radio discipline.
Amateur radio direction finding is a technical sport in which participants, using a radio receiver with a directional antenna, a map, and a compass, try to find radio transmitters hidden in a given area in the shortest possible time. The hidden transmitters are called "foxes," which is why ARG is also known as fox hunting, radio orienteering, or radio sport.
Led by experienced members of Radio Club "Nikola Tesla," participants were first briefly explained what ARG is, how the direction from which a radio signal arrives is determined, and how to properly use the receiving equipment.
The participants' task was to use a radio receiver and a directional antenna to find four hidden transmitters, that is, four "foxes," placed in the area where the festival was held.
Both the youngest and adult participants fared equally well in the search. In addition to the competitive and fun part, the workshop gave them a practical introduction to radio wave propagation, determining the direction of a radio signal, and the basics of radio communication.
More Successful ARG Workshops
In the past period, Radio Club "Nikola Tesla" has organized several successful amateur radio direction finding workshops intended for children, young people, and all interested citizens. Such activities are an excellent way to bring amateur radio technology closer to the general public through time in nature, movement, teamwork, and practical problem-solving.
The great interest of Pecka Outdoor Festival participants once again showed that ARG can be interesting to all generations, regardless of their previous technical knowledge or experience in amateur radio.
Amateur Radio in the Natural Setting of Pecka
Pecka is also known to our club for earlier amateur radio activities. In the area of this village are the springs of the Sana River, where members of Radio Club "Nikola Tesla" previously organized a Field Day and successfully activated POTA location BA-0032 "Izvori rijeke Sane."
Participation in the Pecka Outdoor Festival was another opportunity to present amateur radio through education, time in nature, and interesting practical activities.
We thank the festival organizers for their hospitality, as well as all participants who visited our workshop and successfully found the hidden "foxes."