RaDAR rapid QSO protocol

This 59 thing is really a waste of time. Hey, pros could even do 5 to 6 QSO’s a minute without it!

During my long example in my previous posting it is helpful to give a decent meaningful report. You just feel the friendliness in some CW QSO’s that last a little longer than 3 minutes

Just thinking FAST

Special station: CQ de WxABC K

Caller: UAxABC

Special station: UAxABX TU

New caller: ZSaXYZ

Special station: ZSaXYZ TU

silence …….

Special station: CQ de WxABC K

weak station: VKx…

Special station: VKx ?

weak station: VKxAAA

Special station: VKxAAA TU

and so on ………….. now promoted as the “RaDAR rapid QSO protocol”

RaDAR – Working DX and rubber stamp QSO’s

Like I’ve often said … I’m not a DXer

BUT

I’m kinda enjoying the occasional half hour a day on 20m CW.

How is the “rubber stamp” defined?

I CQ CQ CQ de ZS6BNE ZS6BNE ZS6BNE AR K

Station answers with his call IxABC

I call him IxABC de ZS6BNE GE OM RST 569 Name Eddie Eddie so HW CPY IxABC de ZS6BNE

He returns ZS6BNE de IxABC GE DR OM Eddie RST 549 OP Tony Tony TKS QSO 73 ES GUD DX ZS6BNE de IxABC K

Then I finish the QSO 73 Tony TU Dit Dit

He waves goodbye TU TU Dit Dit

No wonder I make four or five QSO’s in a half hour but it kind of feels well rounded. Sometimes the stations may exchange power and antennas used as additional info, QTH too.

In this case there is absolutely no doubt that the QSO is valid and the call signs and names confirmed.

Then it’s admin time and I take my scribbled notes and write them neatly into my log, go to qrz.com and log the call there. It’s nice to look at the Google maps to see where his station is, hey I’m enjoying Geography all over again!

Then I sit back and admire what we as radio amateurs are licensed to be able to do.

RaDAR – Daring to be different

“Daring to be different” – inspired by Lucy M6ECG

What makes RaDAR so “different” from any other ham activity?

Firstly, RaDAR is multi disciplined and promotes the use of all methods of communications available to radio amateurs from voice modes through to the digital modes including the use of satellite communications.

RaDAR promotes the use of basic survival methods that the operator is self sufficient and practised.

RaDAR promotes the exchange of useful information other than the basic limited exchange that takes place during most contests. The quality and accuracy of information exchange is considered more important than a large QSO count.

RaDAR promotes the use of navigation principles and grid locators to 10 character accuracy or even finer latitude / longitude detail.

What makes RaDAR totally different to other amateur radio activities is the requirement to move quickly from one point to another and to communicate from each deployment position. It is a prerequisite within the bi-annual contest to move after every 5 QSO’s before further contacts are allowed.

RaDAR is about moveable amateur radio stations be it fixed, mobile or on foot.

RaDAR – Logbooks and QSL’s

The RaDAR leaflet log

One contact per page …. can be stored in a shirt pocket!

The QSO information given concerns only the requirements for the given contact. It may require a signal report and serial or zone number or grid locator or age or whatever was required to make the contact valid.

 

While changing my QSL slightly for the years to follow I thought of many of the discussions that had taken place on the SARL forum over the years.

One of the discussions were about call signs and identity as far as licensing goes (ICASA)

QSO’s are made with a call sign regardless of the owner of the call sign, the call sign is simply an identity for the radio station – that’s it.

The operator is the responsible person at the time …. and the person that logs the QSO in an official log book and signs it

So, if this then be the case then no personal information needs to be given other than the call sign itself and the name of the operator.