Questions and Answers (Q&A)

What is the purpose of Contest Radar?
Imagine if all amateur radio operators and teams in an event like the John Moyle Field Day (or any contest) could send their callsign and grid reference to 4, 6 or 8 characters to a location where a Google Earth KML file or Google Maps can be compiled in real time? The maps are dynamic and old entries are removed within 72 hours of placement. This means that when you're out on site you can use the maps to see in almost real time who is out there. You might be surprised to find someone on the next hill along.

Why use Contest Radar and not other station logging systems?
Some of the data in the other station logger databases has not been touched for years. We imagined a live map that is empty on the Thursday before the contest and empty on the Monday after the contest. It grows and fills as more operators settle in for the contest and hit the "Here I am" button on this website.

I will be operating offline at my station, how can I use Contest Radar while offline?
Before heading out, log your station and download the Google Earth KML file, Open the Google Earth KML file in Google Earth and zoom in on the areas of importance. Google Earth will cache the imagery of these areas so that when your offline you can still access those areas. Visit https://support.google.com/earth/ans... for more information.

Or you can zoom in on Google Maps and take a screen shot too.

How do I use Contest Radar?
Log your station using the form provided above with your callsign (inc. prefix /M /P /VK0), your 4, 6 or 8 character grid square and a brief comment about your station less than 72 hours before the end of event. Before the event starts generate & download the Google Earth KML file using the provided buttons and open the Google Earth KML, Within Google Earth or Google Maps you will see a number of place markers of where other stations are approximately located. If you do not have Google Earth, you can either download it from earth.google.com or use the Google Maps option.

What do I put in the comments field?
Anything you like. Names, phone numbers, active bands or anything else you can think of. You can of course leave it empty if you like.

Contest Radar is already integrated into VKCL
Electronic logging is now the norm for contests. If you use VKCL it will pass your Callsign and locator details (with your agreement) directly to Contest Radar as you set up your contest log. It takes just one mouse click to register on Contest Radar through VKCL.

I made a mistake or moved location, how can I update my station information?
Log your station again as outlined in the previous Q&A question using the exact callsign. Only the latest station data for any given callsign will be placed on the map.

What else will you do with my information?
Nothing. 72 hours after you register on Contest Radar your details are wiped from the map.

Bearing and Distance
Contest Radar allows you to determine bearing and distance to other registered stations on the map. You must register your location to enable this feature. Once you are registered, open the map and using the legend in the bottom right corner of the map, select another station. A text box appears giving you detailed information about that station. You can also click on the icon for any station you see on the map to get the same information.

I have a feature request and/or bug to tell you about, how can I get in touch?
Contest Radar wasn't created to be full of features, it was designed to be simple.
However if you feel you need to contact us then please email us at contactREMOVE@contestradarREMOVE.com