RaDAR at the Headland Alabama Tailgate

I love to make the semi-annual tailgates on the square in Headland, Alabama sponsored by the Wiregrass ARC of Southeast Alabama. This year, I wondered if was going to be called off due to some heavy rain early. But as often the case after the rain it makes for a nice day. There was not so much gear for sell this year. However, it was a great opportunity to chat with the gang there.  They have a good mix of experienced hams and new hams and prospective hams that gather for the tailgate.

This year I brought the new LNR Mountain Topper radio to demonstrate the Rapid Deployment Amateur radio (RaDAR) style operating. I combined the MTR with the LNR Trail Friendly End Fed in an inverted L configuration. This gets me on 40 and 20 meters. You could get on 30 meters by substituting a half wave wire for that band. The antenna was supported with two 20 foot crappie poles. All this gear is an easy carry. The MTR is the smallest and lightest part of the gear. The size is amazing.

QRP To The Field going was on. Due to time constraints, I was not going to make a serious run at it. But it did offer some contacts. Forty meters had nill but I copied a few stations on 20 meters. I think conditions were a bit off. You will notice there is no tuning knob on the MTR. You can scan up or down with the up and down buttons. This is something to adapt to but you can navigate around the QRP watering holes pretty easily. To check your frequency you tap the FN button and get the frequency annunciated in code. For the record, I was at grid square EM71HI84WN. I worked six stations including Wyoming, Texas twice, Oklahoma, Ohio and one op gave no location. So having at least five qualifies for an #RaDARActive Activation.

I will keep this light pack-up in mind for future RaDAR outings. It would be ideal for multiple stop RaDAR outings or challenging SOTA outings. The constraint of CW only becomes an advantage in portability with the Mountain Topper. Bob Bankston N4RNR of Dothan also has a MTR. Actually quite a few hams in the Dothan area now have KX3s and Alexloops among their gear. 

By the way, I won a ARRL gift certificate in the raffle. This will help get an antenna book I want. Likewise, I enjoyed the BBQ. Thanks to Wiregrass ARC for a great event.

Chameleon Antennas

I have recently adopted some Chameleon Antennas into my Rapid Deployment Deployment (RaDAR) operations. I have to think the name must refer to their antennas changing configurations are like the changing colors of a chameleon lizard. The instruction manuals are helpful in choosing a configuration to optimize for the distance and frequency you want to work. The antenna models I have are the Hybrid Micro and the Tactical Dipole Lite based on the EMCOMM II. Both antennas are based on a 5 to 1 broadband transformer. When used with a tuner you can pretty much work any HF frequency. My KX3 has an internal tuner. This makes for a great combo. My Icom 7100 does not have an internal tuner but I have added a LDG IT 100 that works great.

The Hybrid Micro comes with 60 feet of wire but it is also compatible with the Military style whip and extension sold by Chameleon. The whip when used with a tripod is very convenient. I happen to use a tripod I got with another antenna. I have purchased a Flag Pole To Go Bag off of Amazon and it packs up the tripod, whips, wires and the micro nicely.

So you have the choice of going with the whip or perhaps deploying the wire from the trees. I have done both. And yes if you pony up for a second whip you can do a dipole like this.

Another Chameleon product is the Tactical Dipole Lite which uses the EMCOMM II transformer. It comes with two 60 foot wires. I am pairing this one up with my Icom 7100 Go Box. There are lots of configurations again such as NVIS, Inverted L, and horizontal. I am thinking of using a horizontal configuration  about 25 to 30 feet high for Field Day.  Here I am using a Vee configuration.

I admit this gear is not inexpensive. You do get first class hardware and great customer service. You will have many configurations to try and tailor to your situation. Being able to rapidly change bands is a plus for RaDAR so you can pick up your five contacts and go. I get some great reports and some not so great. This is pretty typical of any antenna I use. I was very impressed with a 60 meter contact and report I got from K5ZRK in Mississippi with an inverted L configuration. Portable antennas for 60 meters are challenging. This gear is not for everyone but I am having lots of fun with it.

Announcing the RaDAR Active Program

The aim is to encourage and recognize Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) activity. RaDAR Operators can keep a count of RaDAR Activations. An activation is making five contacts while on a portable outing away from their permanent station. To get more activations on an outing you must travel the required distances (See below) before making additional contacts. 

Posting a photo to the RaDAR Google+ Community (or anywhere you choose) and additional details for each activation is welcome but not required. A post to the community monthly will solicit the current RaDAR Active count for participants. Participants may list their RaDAR Activation count on any post to the community. For fun use the hashtag   

The RaDAR Active counts will begin with the RaDAR Challenge and end at the beginning of the next RaDAR Challenge. RaDAR Challenge is the first Saturday of April and November. The RaDAR Active replaces the RaDAR Rally. It is simpler and less bookkeeping. We can see how it works and adjust.

All amateur bands are allowed including cross band contacts via amateur radio satellites.
Modes – CW, SSB, AM, FM or any legal digital mode. QSOs via terrestrial repeaters will NOT be allowed. This is not a contest there are no winners or losers. Participants do it for the challenge and enjoyment of Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio.

Travel Modes and Required Distances:

Modes of transport and required movement distances (moving RaDAR stations only)
Vehicles, motorcycles and motorboats etc. (Motorised transport) – 6 km
Bicycles – 2 km
On foot and paddle canoes – 1 km
Wheelchairs – 500 m
Aeronautical mobile stations are considered moving stations and can communicate at any convenient time.
Note: Moving RaDAR stations can move at any time but are required to move to the next destination after five contacts have been made from the present location. The move needs to cover the required distance. This requirement tests the ability to rapidly re-deploy your amateur radio field station.

N4KGL's April 2015 RaDAR Challenge Report

This is my report on my April 2015 RaDAR Challenge outing at St Andrews State Park near Panama City, Florida. I made six stops on my journey. RaDAR is Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio. There is a RaDAR Challenge the first Saturday of April and November.

Stop 1 was EM70DD21GT. This is at the picnic area on the North side of the park. My mind set was to work 40 meter NVIS. I used the Chameleon Hybrid Micro with the 60 foot wire. I took advantage of some tree limbs and the feed point was a tripod with a few feet of PVC. My first CW contact was Virginia which was weak both ways. Then I worked Florida that was 599. I took advantage of three FM simplex contacts to bail me out of this location.

I transitioned to Stop 2 on foot using a cart to carry my gear.Stop 2 is at EM70DD31KK which is Sandy Point. This is my favorite places in the park. I setup the Chameleon Hybrid Micro on a tripod. I caught Budd W3FF in California on 18.157.5. Budd uses his base to help out portables and pedestrian mobiles. I picked up four more SSB contacts on 17 meters to complete the five. The expected shower happened and I was glad to have my Sportsbrella as a shelter.

I walked back toward my first location and took advantage on a picnic table directly on the shore of Grand Lagoon. This was Stop 3 at EM70DD21GV. I used the Chameleon Hybrid Micro again and located the antenna right on the salt water on a tripod. I worked two on 17 meter SSB with 59 reports. Then I reached out to a local Don KK4DWC and managed a 40 meter contact. The was about 20 miles away in Southport.

After the first three stops I was feeling pretty beat up by the stiff winds. I was not sure I would stay. I took a 6 kilometer drive around the park and stopped at a store. This counted as a transition and I decided Stop 4 would be from the pier on the North side of the park at EM70DD23GC. I setup the Alexloop and made three local contacts with N4STC, N1HQ and K4LIX on 17 meters SSB. Then I lucked into two Italy contacts also on the same band to complete the five.

The weather was looking better and I decided to take the Alexloop to Sandy Point which is Stop 5 at EM70DD31LK. This was an easier walk with lighter gear and without the cart. In fact I had left my table somewhere and was wondering if I would find it. It turned out Bob KK4DIV was just starting this RaDAR outing at a park in nearby Lynn Haven. I worked Bob and another Lynn Haven ham Ron KK4DWE on 17 SSB. After that I worked Missouri. Then I finally caught up with John W8JER in Sturgis Michigan. John and Micky had returned to their home there after a three month stay in Panama City Beach. Micky has her general class now, her call is KE8ASK. I worked her for my fifth contact.

Now the weather was beautiful and I decided to head South to the Jetties area. Stop 6 was at EM70DC29DX. This was a great stop as I worked four DX stations. Argentina, Costa Rica, Brazil and Chile all on 10 meter SSB.  I was definitely getting some low angles with the Alexloop off the salt water.

I had about a 1.5 kilometer walk to the truck on the North side. I looked at two spots that I thought I left the table. No luck but as I was walking back to the truck I spotted it on the pier where I had taken a photo of the pelicans.. So I was really glad to have it back.

The 24 hour window for the RaDAR Challenge let me make six stops instead on my usual three for the four hour RaDAR Contest from previous years. Twice the fun right! I used the Chameleon for three stops with a wire once and a whip twice. I was very pleased. I also used the Alexloop which made for a lighter pack up at three stops. I think it would be interesting to use the Chameleon with a whip as a pedestrian mobile in the future. All my contacts were at 10 watts except one. I get great audio reports on the KX3. With the compression the KX3 has great punch on SSB.

I had one RaDAR to RaDAR contact with Bob KK4DIV nearby. I find the local contacts help. Some know I will be out there and some don't. This makes RaDAR a local club effort and builds interest in RaDAR. I would have enjoyed RaDAR to RaDAR DX but the timing and spotting is a challenge. This year as this it was the Easter weekend made it a non-starter for many to get out. Also April is still rough weather in the Northern latitudes. I do know Eddie ZS6BNE had a great outing with his Grandson. Also Tom G0SBW and Lucy M6ECG got out in the UK.

I enjoyed getting outdoors to a beautiful park for RaDAR. There are not many other reasons I would be walking so many kilometers. You also meet the public. They were really nailing me on what I was doing this time. One person's Dad was a ham and he took several pictures to show his Dad. Here are few more photos.

N4KGL's Journey for the RaDAR Challenge on April 4th

I have decided my journey for the April 4th RaDAR Challenge will be through St Andrews State Park near Panama City, Florida. I will arrive at 8 AM and will have until sundown to make the most of it. There are two piers, a gazebo at the jetties and best of all Sandy Point. I could trek on the sand between stops or I could chose an internal road. I know the Alexloop will be the lightest pack-up or I could bring a vertical. I'll be taking advantage of the salt water effect to the max and will be looking for local, US and DX RaDAR contacts.The weather forecast is for warm temps and gusty breezes.  I included some photos of past trips to St Andrews below. Click here for more info on RaDAR challenge and define your own journey!

April 4th 2015 RaDAR Challenge: Define your Journey!

1. Aim
The RaDAR “Challenge” is a unique event aimed at promoting the use of Rapidly Deployable Amateur Radio stations. This challenge is for all licensed radio amateurs not limited to South Africa. A RaDAR operator can take part in any of the three defined categories (see point 7) which may be changed at any time during the challenge. The
points system is so structured as to encourage portable RaDAR operations, especially moveable RaDAR stations. Moveable RaDAR stations rely on fixed and portable stations as a point of contact using channelised frequencies. “Search and pounce” techniques are also allowed.

2. Date and Time
From 00:00 UTC to 23:59 UTC on Saturday 4 April 2015 and from 00:00 UTC to 23:59 UTC on Saturday 7 November 2015 - 24 hours will give equal opportunity to the international community of RaDAR operators. RaDAR operators can define their own operating time schedule or remain active for the full 24 hours.

3. Bands and Modes
All amateur bands are allowed including cross band contacts via amateur radio satellites.
Modes – CW, SSB, AM, FM or any legal digital mode. QSOs via terrestrial repeaters will NOT be allowed.

4. Suggested HF calling frequencies
See http://zs6bne.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/radar-calling-frequencies/ for the latest international list of frequencies. The WARC bands can be used considering this is a RaDAR Challenge and not a contest as such. It provides better opportunities for RaDAR contacts during difficult propagation conditions. Recommended digital modes frequencies – Refer to the South African Radio League Contest Manual, General Rule 15.

5. Exchange
The RaDAR challenge requires more than a minimalistic information exchange. Accurate information exchange is considered more important than a large QSO count.
Call sign, name, RS(T) report, QTH and grid locator. Note the grid locator can change as RaDAR operators are allowed to move position at any time. The grid locator of six characters is acceptable but should preferably be accurate to 10 characters for higher
position accuracy. Smartphone applications are generally used to establish more than a 6-character grid locator. If working non-participating stations, call sign, name, RST and QTH is acceptable.

6. Scoring
1 point per QSO.
Individual QSOs – per mode, per band, per satellite, per call sign.
If the moving RaDAR station has moved the required distance (see point 7) contact can be made with a previously worked station, again.

7. Categories and multipliers
The following multipliers are applicable to determine the final score. If category/mode of transport changes were made during the challenge, than calculate accordingly.

X 1 – RaDAR Fixed station (At home or in another building)
X 2 – RaDAR Field station (Portable – away from home)
X 3 – Moving RaDAR station – See modes of transport below.

Modes of transport and required movement distances (moving RaDAR stations only)
Vehicles, motorcycles and motorboats etc. (Motorised transport) – 6 km
Bicycles – 2 km
On foot and paddle canoes – 1 km
Wheelchairs – 500 m
Aeronautical mobile stations are considered moving stations and can communicate at any convenient time.
Note: Moving RaDAR stations can move at any time but are required to move to the next destination after five contacts have been made from the present location. The move needs to cover the required distance before further contacts are allowed to be made. This requirement tests the ability to rapidly re-deploy your amateur radio field station.

9. Bonus points (All categories)
Five (5) points (The equivalent of five QSOs) for a minimum of one satellite or any digital modes QSO involving a computer, smartphone or digital modes device. (For clarity thereafter 1 point per Satellite / Digital modes QSO).
Five (5) points for the first successful same continent RaDAR to RaDAR QSO (As may be confirmed by the extensive information exchange.
Five (5) points for the first intercontinental (DX) QSO
Ten (10) points for the first successful inter continental (DX) RaDAR to RaDAR QSO (As may be confirmed by the extensive information exchange).

10. Log Sheets
Log sheets must be submitted by 14 April 2015 and 17 November 2015 and sent by e-mail to edleighton@gmail.com.

See https://zs6bne.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/11046905_10152762072212759_727315224761083499_n.jpg for a log sheet specifically designed for the 2015 RaDAR contest.
Note: A photo of the station (JPG format) MUST accompany every log entry. A photo is required for each new location that moveable stations visit. These photos are used to promote amateur radio and the RaDAR concept showing where amateur radio can be used to communicate from and in the many different ways.

The above is an excerpt from fromhttp://www.sarl.org.za//Document_Store/CONT_20150101_SARL_Contest_Manual_2015.pdf

Visit zs6bne.wordpress.comand https://plus.google.com/communities/109283065808971118728for more info about RaDAR.

I encourage all hams to participate. Let us know your plans and results. Good luck and be safe!

Greg N4KGL
www.N4KGL.info

RaDAR Challenge: Have it Your Way!

The previous Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) Contests were four hour events on the first Saturday of April and November. The contests were a specific four hour time slot which worked for me and I did enjoy working against the clock. However, for operators all around the globe a specific time slot does not work. Eddie ZS6BNE has evolved the RaDAR contest into the RaDAR Challenge which will be a 24 hour event on the same days. That will to give us the maximum flexibility to schedule our operations. Likewise RaDAR is about motion. Make five contacts and move! How you move is up to you. I will let the graphics below tell the story. Funny, I had thought about doing RaDAR ops for Field Day. Moving during Field day is non-traditional but not precluded by the rules. Now with the RaDAR Challenge being 24 hours I can have a Field day RaDAR style in April. I really would like to hit all my favorite spots in one day. Of course now the challenge is getting April 4th set aside.

If this idea appeals to you visit Eddie's Blog and the Google+ RaDAR Community.