User:Dodger67/Sandbox/Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio

Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio, often referred to by its acronym RaDAR, is concept for operating an amateur radio station anywhere, anytime and even in adverse environmental conditions. This concept supports the amateur radio service's emergency communications mandate.

History
Radio amateurs from South Africa, came up with a concept (one used for many years by the military and others) to build a comfortable portable radio station capable of operating for extended periods while walking or stationary after walking to a specified site. The idea was discussed in an open forum and ideas gleaned from many of the local hams, some prototyping was done and the “Shack in a Sack” (SiaS) concept was born. Subsequently it was decided to include the SiaS in one of the South African Radio League Mobile HF Radio competitions. Some simple ground rules were laid and off everyone went to build and set up a station to operate /ss or portable /p. The first team of “Shack in a Sack” hams who took part were: Deon ZS1AFU/ss,	Johan ZS2CX/ss,	Eddie ZS6BNE/ss, Kevin ZS6KMD/ss, John ZS5J/ss, Tienie ZS6MHH/ss, Stephen ZU6ET/ss, Nico ZS6SNH/ss, Charles ZR5CBT/ss, Doug ZS1DUG/ss, Club operator ZS1WRC/ss, Hennie ZS1HR/ss and Renier ZU1RDU/ss.

August 2008 – Submitted logos uploaded to ZS6BNE’s QSL.Net website. Special SiaS photograph submissions by Deon ZS1AFU/ss, John ZS5J/ss and Kevin ZS6KMD/ss.

September 2008 - SiaS Operators also took part in the “Blockhouse project” organized by ZS4SRK, the Sasolburg Amateur Radio Club. August 2009 - RaDAR - "Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio" initiative was launched. SiaS was a concept and needed a name. Unfortunately all the discussions that took place via the SARL Forum on SiaS, no longer exist.

August 2009 – The launch of the RaDAR business card. Subdivisions, "On foot", "Mobile" and "Fixed". The RaDAR station can carry a business card with his callsign and RaDAR subdivision logo. Good for Amateur Radio public relations. August 2009 – Our first query on RaDAR from outside South Africa from Jack VK4JRC in Australia. November 2009 – Deon ZS1AFU’s historic SiaS photo published on the front page of Radio ZS and article included discussing the RaDAR concept and how the name evolved. (Radio ZS September – October 2009)

April 2010 – 1st SARL RaDAR Contest (Winter). Over a 100 individual stations were logged during the April 2010 RaDAR contest. Most stations took part for fun.

May 2010 - Dutch radio amateurs take RaDAR to the next level. The Lowlands 5x5 RaDAR group was formed by two Dutch radio amateurs, Elmar PD3EM and Peter PD1AJJ.

September 2010 - French radio amateurs take RaDAR to the next level. November 2010 – 2nd SARL RaDAR Contest (Summer).

April 2013 - In January Marcus NX5MK (ex. KD0JKM) establishes the RaDAR-America Contest homepage for IARU Region 2 after conferring with Eddie ZS6BNE. 1st RaDAR-America contest in April.

April 2013 - Greg N4KGL founds the RaDAR Group on Google+, which was 200+ members strong one year later.

What is RaDAR?
Let us start by saying what RaDAR is not!

RaDAR is not a Group

RaDAR is not a Organisation

RaDAR is not a Club

RaDAR is a concept. RaDAR is not an organization nor does it compete with any organization. RaDAR is a way of setting up an amateur radio station quickly and having fun. RaDAR is a "mindset" or a "methodology" about being flexible to enable operations under difficult conditions without external resources. RaDAR neither has nor needs a command and control structure.

The evolution of RaDAR
RaDAR has somewhat changed a little expanding from an "On foot" operator to include other stations but emphasizing rapidly deployed, easily movable (objects), Amateur Radio stations.

What constitutes a “True RaDAR” Station?
To be considered as a true RaDAR station, the entire station equipment, radios, batteries, mast, antennas and refreshments must be easily portable and hence the need to carry the equipment for at least 1 km prior to setting up.

It is desirable that the RaDAR operator is able to
Operate an amateur radio station away from any building or vehicle although this is not a prerequisite.

Carry equipment, radios, antennas, masts, food, water and shelter to the final destination, in a vehicle , on foot or wheelchair.

Determine accurate position and grid square to 10 digits with the help of GPS devices and on topographical maps.

Provide power without relying on any third party.

Communicate in a professional, accurate and effective manner.

Be self sufficient.

RaDAR Contests
The RaDAR contest for IARU Region 1 operates under the rules of the SARL. The RaDAR contest for IARU Region 2 operates under the rules of the RaDAR-America contest webpage.