Month: February 2018

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RaDAR – Supporting field day the ultralight way

This weekend was the SARL’s Field day and I took part in the ultralight, RaDAR like, category as a casual operation. It was fun setting up the antennas and making a few QSO’s. There were two special QSO’s firstly a QRP / QRP CW QSO with my friend Tom, ZS6OMT/QRP who is usually QRO but this wasn’t an official field day QSO though. Secondly Eben, ZS3EP answered my CQ while he was mobile and I QRP. We had excellent comms between us, also not an official field day QSO.

I took a few pics of Sunday mornings walk in the park. Unfortunately I twisted my ankle on the way not seeing a hole hidden in the grass and it wasn’t very pleasant staying on my feet for too long!!!

Ready to deploy the link dipole and RaDAR mast.

All hooked in and ready to raise the poles.

Deployed …..

Packing up / kit check.

As always, it was fun!!!

73 de Eddie ZS6BNE

 

 

 

 

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RaDAR – SOTA POTA and the RaDAR-Thon

Sid ZS5AYC and Adele ZS5APT often take part in RaDAR movement challenges and they do very well. When activating multiple SOTA’s I’m sure that RaDAR training kicks in to compliment SOTA. They excel in that too!!!

With multiple SOTA activations, deploying, making contacts, packing up leaving nothing behind, moving, doing it all over again, ensuring you’re well fed, hydrated and fit is typically RaDAR.

SOTA / POTA and RaDAR compliment each other very well!

My home town environment has no mountains for at least 100 km radius but we have RaDAR where we can practice for such things without having to climb a mountain.

The RaDAR-Thon idea is great, and Greg, N4KGL has made it a 7 hour outing. I think that’s awesome. SOTA operators used to activating multiple summits would do extremely well in this regard I’m sure. I really like Greg’s initiative, a BIG THUMBS UP to him!

See Port City Trail

The goal is to maximize deployments making five amateur radio contacts before moving to the next deployment along the trail. The RaDAR Challenge rules will be observed including bonuses except for the duration. Hours are 9 AM to 4 PM EST.

Note Port St Joe is in grid square EL 79. The Cape San Blas Lighthouse is along the route. Constitution Park qualifies for Parks On The Air.

The date has been rescheduled for mid February 2018. Maybe the rest of the world can join in!!!