We, the Signatories to this petition, recognizing that:
o Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) has been practiced in IARU Region 2 for the past 20 years.
o The IARU Region 2 ARDF Working Group has members with decades of experience in administering the sport, who are well qualified to create and establish permanent rules for Region 2.
o IARU Region 2 can better promote the growth of ARDF if the Region’s rules are tailored to best serve its participants.
o There is precedent for permitting personal electronic satellite positioning system receivers (GPS) in ARDF World Championship competitions, codified in current IARU Region 1 ARDF rules.
o The properly-administered use of smart personal electronic devices (smartphones) running specialized apps poses no greater risk of misuse than do GPS devices.
o ARDF in Region 2 can benefit from the use of smartphones, in terms of safety, and broader appeal of the sport among the Region’s populace.
o The lack of permanent rules specifically allowing the use of smartphones, provides no assurance that their use will be permitted on an ongoing basis, and therefore is a disincentive for experimenters and innovators to develop useful apps for the sport.
o The IARU Region 1 ARDF rules documents constitute a proven template for the establishment of permanent rules for Region 2, shortening the process for creating a preliminary rules document.
Therefore, we call upon the IARU Region 2 ARDF Working Group to act swiftly to:
- Establish permanent ARDF rules for Region 2 no later than January 1, 2018.
- Include provisions in those rules for the use of smartphones running suitable apps.
- Establish that Region 2 championship competitions be conducted under Region 2 rules from January 1, 2018 onward.
- Work with IARU Region 1 ARDF Working Group members to reconcile any rule differences between the Regions as appropriate, while retaining any Region 2 rules differences that specifically benefit that Region.