RaDAR Rally Rules

RaDAR Rally Rules as of 2/26/24

RaDAR is Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio. Eddie Leighton ZS6BNE in South Africa conceived the RaDAR concept. The RaDAR Rally adds movement to portable operating with a time constraint.

Objective: Use your ham radio knowledge, portable equipment, and physical skills to challenge yourself during an unforgettable four-hour experience. The four-hour duration creates an urgency that demands optimized equipment and operating strategies.

When: The first Saturday of April and November. Choose four hours during the UTC day. The following Sunday is a backup date if Saturday is unfavorable for you.

Where: You may choose any outdoor venue where you can legally and safely operate. Parks are a natural choice. Make it as scenic and exciting as you can. You may combine RaDAR Rally with Parks on the Air, POTA or Summits On The Air, SOTA,

Activity: Arrive at the first deployment, make five contacts, move to the next deployment, and repeat as quickly as possible for four hours. 

Movement:
RaDAR deployments are at fixed locations. Movement between deployments may be via walking or canoeing for at least one kilometer, bicycling for at least two kilometers, or using a motorized vehicle for at least six kilometers. The wheelchair or mobility scooter distance is 500 meters. Combine modes of movement as you desire. You can reuse a deployment location. The last deployment must have at least one contact. A RaDAR operator may have teammates assist in all aspects of RaDAR to increase the fun. 

Preparation: Research your venue, rig, antennas, and conveyances to optimize your score. Use practice deployments to build your skills and evaluate your gear. Remember to pack items for your comfort and safety.

Bands and Modes: All amateur bands and modes are allowed except terrestrial repeaters. You may work a station on multiple bands/modes at a deployment location and work them again on another deployment. You can use any means to spot your activity.

Contact Exchange: The exchange will vary with these situations:
  • Calling CQ RaDAR: Exchange signal report and location.
  • Answering a CQ: Use their activity exchange.
  • RaDAR to RaDAR: Exchange signal report and an eight-digit grid square ( 3 QSO points)
Chasers: RaDAR operators appreciate ham friends who help them get those five contacts required to move. Since RaDAR ops bounce between operating and moving, often with low power and compromise antennas, they are like rare DX. Please chase them. The QSO will make their day and yours.

Scoring: The QSO points earned are; three for RaDAR to RADAR contacts, two for POTA or SOTA contacts, and one for all other stations. Make five or more contacts at deployment, but only five count for QSO points. The final score equals the total QSO points times the number of deployments plus bonus points.

Bonus Points: Three bonus points for each non-motorized transition, two points per deployment when all contacts are QRP, equal to five watts or less on CW, and ten watts or less for other modes. The first intercontinental  RaDAR to RaDAR contact is six bonus points. RaDAR to RaDAR or Chaser to RaDAR contacts with a matching QSL in the COOL log earn one bonus point for each. See the Logging section below.

Registration: Registration starts one month before the event. Email the RaDAR POC your registration info. The POC will post a roster on the RaDAR Rally website https://radarrally.blogspot.com/

Registration info includes:
  • Name
  • Call
  • Day (Sat or Sun),
  • Venue,
  • Start UTC
  • Conveyances
  • Bands
  • Modes
  • QRP (Y or N)
  • Spotting method (optional)

Reporting: Email your summary info to the RaDAR POC within seven days of the event. The RaDAR POC will post them on the RaDAR website https://radarrally.blogspot.com/ and the RaDAR groups.io. The summary info is includes
  • Name
  • Call
  • Day (Sat or Sun),
  • Venue,
  • Start UTC
  • Conveyances
  • Bands
  • Modes
  • QRP (Y or N)
  • # R to R QSOs, # Pota/SOTA QSOs, # other QSOs, # Deployments, Bonus Points
  • Eight-digit grid squares for your deployments
  • Link to your detailed report, photos, or videos
Logging: A log is not mandatory but encouraged. Please use the "Community Online Open Logbook" (COOL) managed by Eddie ZS6BNE. It can be updated in real time or after the rally. The log will match contacts among entries with a QSL. A RaDAR to RaDAR QSL or RaDAR to Chaser QSL will earn the RaDAR operator one bonus point each. Email Eddie ZS6BNE for a security key for access. His email is on QRZ.com.

Awards: There are no awards at this time. The RaDAR Rally is more of a personal challenge than a competition. Use your score to track your improvement.

Updates: The latest updates to the rules will be on the RaDAR Rally Rules tab at https://radarrally.blogspot.com/

RaDAR Point of Contact: Please direct questions or comments to Greg Lane N4KGL; his email is good on QRZ.com.



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