RADAR is Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio…an exercise in planning and rapid
deployment and operations in multiple parks within 24 consecutive hours. RADAR
awards can be earned for working two, three, five, seven, ten, and twelve parks. A
minimum of five contacts per park must be made and there is also a minimum distance
(in meters) requirement between parks depending on mode of transportation, e.g., on
foot, bike, or motor vehicle.
I have completed a five and ten park RADAR this year. The planning is fun.
Predeparture I check the park websites for operating hours and restrictions, google
earth map to analyze each park for likely setup locations, check local road conditions for
traffic and road closures, and finally program the parks into my driving gps software.
I typically need about 20 minutes at each location to setup, operate, and teardown. I
plan for 25 minutes but 20 minutes works most of the time. Although for a RADAR
credit you only need to make 5 contacts per park, I go for 10 to also get credit for an
activation.
Below is my next planned RADAR (12 parks). I find doing these activations during the offseason
where parks are not as crowded works best.
73 Tom W4ID
