INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR RADIO UNION
Region 1

RULES FOR CHAMPIONSHIPSIN AMATEUR RADIO DIRECTION FINDING
PART A – ORGANISATION
V 2.8 A (2009)

Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Definitions ..........................................................................................................................
General provisions .............................................................................................................
Event program ....................................................................................................................
Event preparations .............................................................................................................
Participation .......................................................................................................................
Costs ..................................................................................................................................
Event information ...............................................................................................................
Entries ................................................................................................................................
Jury ....................................................................................................................................
Complaints .........................................................................................................................
Protests ..............................................................................................................................
Media service .....................................................................................................................
Event reports ......................................................................................................................

122
2
3333455566

1. Definitions
1.1
Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) is an amateur radio sport in which competitors by means of a directionfinding receiver are to find a number of transmitters hidden in the competition area in the shortest possible time .
1.2

Competitors are individuals of either sex or a team.

1.3
Single competitors or teams are delegated by amateur radio societies being full members of a regional IARU
Organization. Competitors or teams from countries, which have no IARU member society, shall be accepted if theysatisfy the conditions of A6.4. Otherwise they may participate unofficially (i.e. not to be ranked and not to be awardedmedals).
1.4
The term event embraces all aspects of an ARDF competition, including organizational matters, e.g. start draws,
team official meetings, ceremonies etc. and the competitions, usually on the 3,5 and 144 MHz amateur radio bands.
1.5
An ARDF World Championship is the event to award the title of World Champion in ARDF. A WorldChampionship is organized by an amateur radio society authorized by its corresponding IARU Organization.
1.6
A Regional ARDF Championship is the event to award the title of Regional Champion in ARDF. A Regional
Championship is organized by an amateur radio society authorized by its corresponding IARU Organization.
1.7
An IARU Regional Amateur Radio Direction Finding Working Group (hereinafter known as ARDF WG) isa permanent specialized body of the IARU Regional Organization, set up by the Regional General Conference. Its aimsare:− to exchange information related to ARDF
− to develop ARDF materials and to provide ARDF advice to national societies− to submit ARDF advice, proposals and recommendations to the Regional Executive Committee− to participate in the organization of IARU ARDF events within its region− to undertake ARDF activities on behalf of its IARU Regional Organization.
2. General provisions
2.1
These rules are valid for and shall be used in connection with IARU World and Regional Championships inAmateur Radio Direction Finding.
2.2

These rules are recommended as a basis for any international ARDF event and national championships.

2.3

These rules are binding for all persons engaged in ARDF Championships organized under these rules.

2.4

The guiding principle in the interpretation of these rules shall be fairness.

2.5
Any ARDF event shall equally challenge the technical (direction finding), orienteering and physical skills ofa competitor.
2.6
All technical (direction finding) and orienteering tasks must be solvable by means of the direction finding
receiver and an appropriate map of the competition area.
2.7
Changes to part A of these Rules are subject to approval by the IARU Regional Conference or during the period
between Conferences by the Executive Committee (EC). Such changes should, whenever possible, be discussed andagreed with the regional ARDF WG on beforehand.
2.8
Changes to part B of these rules are subject to approval by the ARDF WG. At least two thirds of ARDF WG
members present at the meeting or more than 50% of the total number of ARDF WG members must vote "In favour" inorder to take a valid decision. If a decision is taken at an ARDF WG meeting, more than 50 % of the official ARDF WG
members must be present. The list of ARDF WG members shall be updated and publicized in the Regional website by
the ARDF WG Chairman in the beginning of every year after consultation with the societies involved.
2.9Not more than one month after any agreed change (or after approval if needed) in any part of these rules the fulltext of the updated rules must be published amongst ARDF WG members and on the Regional website by the ARDF
WG Chairman.
2.10
If not stated otherwise, any change in any part of these rules shall be in force from the beginning of the year
succeeding the year of the decision (or approval if needed).
2.11
The English text of these rules shall be taken as decisive in any dispute arising from a translation into any otherlanguage.
3. Event program
3.1
ARDF World Championships should be organized every even year and Regional Championships every odd
year. Deviations from this rhythm require approval by all (three) regional ARDF WG at least two years before suchchanges can become effective.
3.2
WG.

The event dates and the program are proposed by the organizer. They require approval by the relevant ARDF

3.3
ARDF Championships shall take place on two amateur radio bands: 3.5 MHz and 144 MHz. Separate
competitions shall take place on each band on different days.

24. Event preparations
4.1

Any IARU society may apply to organize an ARDF event of world or regional level.

4.2
Applications of interested societies are to be presented to the ARDF WG on official application sheets provided
by the WG.
4.3
Application sheets are to be received by the Chairman of the ARDF WG not later than January 31st three years
prior to the year of the Championships .
4.4
ARDF WG shall approve the organizing society and propose it to the EC the same year. In case of two or morecandidates, the ARDF WG shall determine the organizing society by voting.
5. Participation
5.1
Competitors shall have full passport-holding citizenship of the country of the society they represent. Othernationals living at least for one year in the country in question may also participate for the society of said country; thelegitimacy of the residence shall be proven by an official document. Exceptions from this requires the approval of theARDF WG and the societies involved.
5.2
Each participating society shall appoint a team manager to act as a contact person between the team and theorganizer. It is the team manager’s duty to see that the team receives all necessary information.
5.3
Competitors participate at their own risk. Insurance against accidents shall be the responsibility of their societyor themselves, according to national regulations.
5.4
Each society may enter a team in each category and a number of team officials. The organizer shall fix themaximum number of officials per team, in accordance with the available facilities. This maximum number shall be thesame for each team and shall be at least 5.
5.5

One additional team may be entered by the organizing society. This team shall participate unofficially.

5.6
Competitors from outside the relevant Region may take part in IARU ARDF Regional Championships. However,they shall be classified unofficially.
6. Costs
6.1.
The costs of organizing an event shall be borne by the organizing society and to cover these costs an entry fee
may be charged. Such entry fee shall be kept as low as possible and shall be approved by the ARDF WG.
6.2.
In order for IARU Region 1 Member Societies to be allowed to start as official competitors in an international
IARU ARDF championship, they must have fulfilled all their financial obligations to Region 1 by the end of the month prior
to the month in which the Championships take place. If requested, facilities will be provided to accept outstanding fees
together with payment of the championship fee and expenses.
6.3.
The organizing society may allow Member Societies with outstanding fees to Region 1 to take part in such aChampionships outside of competition (i.e. not to be ranked and not to be awarded medals)
6.4.
The IARU Region 1 Executive Committee may allow Radio Amateur Societies in countries within Region 1,
which are not members of IARU Region 1, to officially participate as full competitors in International ARDF
championships. Such permission will normally only be given for one year as an introduction to this IARU activity.
6.5.
All entry fees have to reach the organizing society not later than six weeks before the event. If approved by theARDF WG an additional fee can be charged for late payments.
6.6.
Participating societies or the participants themselves shall bear the entry fees, the travelling costs to and fromthe place of the Championships and the costs of accommodation and board during the event.
6.7.
The organizer shall bear accommodation and board for all members of the International Jury. The relevant IARU
Regional Organization shall bear travel expenses to and from the place of the Championship for the chairman of theInternational Jury. The travel costs for the rest of the members of the International Jury shall be borne by the societies towhich they belong or by the individuals themselves.
7. Event information
7.1
The official language during the entire event shall be English. Official information shall be given in writing. It may
be given orally only in urgent cases and in response to questions at team officials’ meetings.
7.2
Information from the organizer and / or the ARDF WG shall be given in the form of bulletins. Bulletin 1 shall besent to all societies being known as interested in ARDF and the Chairmen of the other two Regional WG’s. Bulletins
2 and 3 shall be sent to the societies having declared their intention to participate. A copy of each bulletin shall be sent toeach member of the ARDF WG.

3

7.3

Bulletin 1 (invitation) shall include the following information:− organising society with address, telephone/fax number and e-mail address− venue− dates and types of competitions− any participation restrictions− approved entry fee and expected costs of accommodation and board− any peculiarities of the event− latest date for the Letter of intent and the contact address to reach the organiser

7.4

Bulletin 2 (event information) shall include the following information:− all information given in Bulletin 1− types and cost of accommodation and board− bank / account details for payments and latest date for funds to be received to avoid late payment− fees− latest date for acceptation of entries− description and type of any transport offered− event program− maximum number of officials per team− any permitted deviations from the rules− directions for the registration of media representatives and any extra representatives of the societies− directions for obtaining entry permits (visas)− description of terrain, climate and any hazards− opportunities for training− embargoed areas− description of the marking devices− technical parameters of used transmitters− the frequencies and output RF power/ERP of transmitters on both bands− description (type, gain, height above the terrain) of the 144 MHz antennas− description (length, grounding system) of the 3.5 MHz antennas− notes on competition clothing, if necessary− a recent sample map showing the type of terrain, if available.

7.5

Bulletin 3 (Additional event information) shall include the following information:− detailed program of the event− details of the terrain− sample or 100% size picture of the starting ticket, if used
− electronic marking system description, if used
− map sizes, if exceeding 210 x 297 mm− scales and vertical contour intervals of the maps
− address and telephone/fax number of the competition office− details of accommodation and food− transport schedule− team officials’ meetings.

7.6

Bulletin 4 shall be handed over on arrival of the competitors and shall include final details of the event .

7.7
Bulletin 1 shall be dispatched TEN MONTHS before the event, Bulletin 2 FIVE MONTHS and Bulletin 3 ONE
MONTH before the event.
8. Entries
8.1
Societies intending to participate in the Championship shall send a Letter of Intent to participate to the organiser
not later than SIX MONTHS before the event.
8.2
Entries giving the expected number of competitors of each category, the number of team officials and the teammanager’s name, address, phone/fax numbers and e-mail address shall reach the organizer not later than TWO
MONTHS before the event.
8.3
Each competitor’s name, date of birth and category and the names of the team officials shall reach theorganizer as early as possible but not later than 24 hours before the first meeting of the International Jury. Later entries
or changes may be made only with permission of both organizer and International Jury.
8.4
The organizer may exclude competitors or teams from starting if their entry fee is not paid and no agreement
has been reached about payment.
8.5

Competitors may be entered by their society only.

49. Jury
9.1

The International Jury for IARU ARDF Championships shall consist of the following members:− Chairman of the Jury
− Secretary of the Jury
− Referee at the start− Referee at the finish− Referees in the competition area
− Siting referee− Technical Director

9.2
The Chairman of the Jury at an IARU World Championship shall be a member of the Regional Executive
Committee or an ARDF International Class Referee designated by the Regional EC. The Chairman of the Jury at anIARU Regional Championship shall be an ARDF International Class Referee authorized by the relevant regional IARUorganization.
9.3
The referees in the competition area, at start and finish and the siting referee shall be International Class
Referees. The siting referee shall be provided by the organizing society. The Secretary of the Jury and the Technical
Director shall both be provided by the organizing society and neither need be an International Class Referee.
9.4
The members of the Jury shall be selected and proposed by the Chairman of the ARDF WG, in cooperation withthe organizing society, from the list of approved IARU International Class Referees. They shall be drawn from as manysocieties as possible. The names of the members of the International Jury shall be recorded and announced as early as
possible before the beginning of the event.
9.5
The members of the International Jury shall ensure that rules are followed, mistakes are avoided and thatfairness is paramount. They have the authority to require adjustments to be made if deemed necessary to satisfy therequirements of the event.
9.6
The International Jury shall meet a day before the competition to approve the time limit and starting sequence,
which is determined by the organizer.
9.7
At the end of each competition the International Jury shall meet to discuss and approve the results and shalldecide upon possible protests.
9.8
Any decision of the Jury will be final only if all Jury members are present. In urgent cases preliminary decisions
may be taken if a majority of the Jury members agree on the decision. These decisions are clearly to be marked”preliminary ”.
9.9
If a Jury member declares himself to be prejudiced or unable, the Chairman of the Jury shall nominate
a substitute.
9.10
In cases of dispute, a solution shall be reached by means of a vote. In case of an equal number of ”aye” and”no” votes, the Chairman of the Jury shall have the casting vote and shall decide. The Secretary of the Jury and theTechnical Director both have no votes.
9.11

Decisions of the Jury are final and cannot be challenged.

10. Complaints
10.1

A complaint can be made about violation of these rules, mistakes in the results or the organizer’s directions.

10.2

Complaints can be made by event or team officials, competitors or anybody else connected with the event.

10.3
Any complaint shall be made orally or in writing to the organizer as soon as possible. A complaint is adjudicatedby the organizer. The complainant shall be informed about the decision immediately.
10.4

There is no fee for a complaint.

11. Protests
11.1
A protest can be entered against the organizer’s decision about a complaint or against major infringements ofthese rules.
11.2
Protests can be entered by team or event officials only and must be presented to a Jury member for further
action by the Jury.
11.3
The Jury shall decide upon the protest and present a decision as soon as possible. It is up to the Jury to makeits decision public or inform the protestant only. The decision of the Jury is final and cannot be appealed.
11.4

There is no fee for a protest.

512. Media service
12.1

The organizer shall offer media representatives attractive working conditions to observe and report on the event.

12.2

As a minimum, the organizer shall make available to media representatives the following:− hotel accommodation to be paid for by the users− start lists, program booklets and other information on the day prior to the competition− opportunity to take part in the model event− weather-protected working space for media representatives’ typewriters or computers in the finish area
− result lists and maps with courses immediately after the competition− telephone and fax for international connections, preferably in the finish area, to be paid for by the users.

12.3
The organizer shall make every effort to maximize media coverage as long as this does not jeopardize thefairness of the event.
13. Event reports
13.1
Not more than ONE MONTH after the event, the organizer shall submit a report to the ARDF WG Chairman
containing:− complete result lists− three copies of each map with course details− comments about the event.
13.2
One copy of every bulletin, the final program including start lists and a plan of the organization shall be sent tothe ARDF WG Chairman for the archives not more than SIX MONTHS after the event.

6