1WWFF / VKFF program introduction. 5
2Terms of activation of VKFF areas. 6
4 Accreditation of VKFF activity. 9
6 Terms of listing new VKFF areas. 11
7 Further reference. 12
7.1 Further reference to the program and various awards can be found at the following websites:- 12
World Wide Flora & Fauna in amateur radio website 12
http://www.forum.wff.co 12
12
World Wide Flora & Fauna Log Search 12
1WWFF / VKFF program introduction.
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1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
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‘World Wide Flora & Fauna in amateur radio’, abbreviated as ‘WWFF’ (WWFF) is an international amateur radio program, the purpose of which is to:-
‘draw attention to the importance of protecting nature, flora and fauna’.
‘Australia Flora and Fauna in amateur radio’, abbreviated as ‘VKFF’ (VKFF), is an authorised partner of WWFF. VKFF is a recognized National program.
Amateur radio operators are encouraged to operate from designated parks and / or protected nature areas, and in turn generate attention for these areas, whilst providing the amateur radio community an interesting activity.
WWFF is a non commercial program run by the co-ordinators of a large number of National Flora and Fauna programs, including Australia (VKFF).
The Flora and Fauna movement within amateur radio commenced in 2008, and was initiated by the Russian Robinson Club as World Flora and Fauna (WFF). In November 2012 the program was relaunched as WWFF. To date there are 34 participating National programs.
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1.6
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This particular set of rules governs the operation within Flora & Fauna areas within Australia. These rules have priority over the WWFF General rules which apply to DXCC entities which are not covered by a National program. The WWFF General rules can be found at:-
http://www.wwff.co/p/wwff-rules.html
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1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.13
1.14
1.15
1.16
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Each WWFF designated park and / or protected nature area is issued with a unique identifying reference number.
The reference number consists of:-
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the ITU allocated prefix;
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FF for Flora and Fauna;
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and a unique identifying number.
e.g. VKFF-001
A WWFF Directory is maintained by IK1GPG. The directory records all designated WWFF parks and protected nature areas.
A WWFF Log search facility can be located at:-
http://logsearch.wwff.co/index.php
The WWFF forum has a number of features which allow you to stay up to date on news and activities. It can be located at:-
http://forum.wwff.co
The global WWFF website can be located at:-
http://www.wwff.co
The Australian (VKFF) WWFF website can be located at:-
http://wwffaustralia.weebly.com
There is also a WWFF Facebook site which can be located at:-
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WWFF44/
WWFF is also on Twitter:-
@wwff44
During a WWFF QSO you may hear reference to ‘44’.
The first digit ‘4’ represents the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire.
The second digit ‘4’ represents the four directions: north, south, east, and west.
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2Terms of activation of VKFF areas.
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2.1
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The VKFF program is open to:-
a. ‘Activators’
b. ‘Hunters’
c. ‘Short Wave Listeners’
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2.2
2.3
2.4
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‘Activators’ are those amateurs who operate portable from within a designated VKFF area.
‘Hunters’ are those amateurs who make contact with ‘Activators’ who are operating portable from within a designated VKFF area.
‘Short Wave Listeners’ are those who hear and log the activities of ‘Activators’ operating portable from within a designated VKFF area.
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2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
2.11
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There is no set commencement date for the VKFF award/s.
Mobile operation is accepted. However ‘true’ portable operation out in the field is encouraged.
As of this time, the majority of parks that qualify for the VKFF program are designated to be Australian National Parks.
There are a few exceptions, and these include the following:-
a/ one ‘Important Bird Area’ in South Australia;
b/ one ‘Recreation Area’ in Queensland;
c/ one ‘Regional Park’ in New South Wales;
d/ one ‘Nature Reserve’ in Western Australia;
e/ and two ‘Marine Parks’ in Queensland and South Australia.
It should be noted that a significant number of Australian National Parks are currently not on the VKFF list. This is due to the fact that when the list was originally compiled back in 2008, there was no Australian assistance, and many parks were omitted. This issue is being addressed and should be rectified ASAP.
A full list of qualifying VKFF areas can be found at:-
http://wwffaustralia.weebly.com
When the words ‘activation’ and ‘activity’ are read, they are to be interpreted as ‘activation of one VKFF area’.
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2.12
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While activating a VKFF area, all equipment (including antenna/s, transceiver/s, power supply/ies, etc), must be withinin the boundaries of the relevant VKFF area.
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2.13
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For all VKFF activations, a minimum of 10 QSO’s with different call signs are needed for the VKFF activation to be valid. Global rules state that a minimum of 44 QSO’s are required for a valid activation. However, due to Australia’s unique geographical situation (e.g. vastness and remote location), and the number of licenced amateurs in Australia, this number for the Australian VKFF program has been reduced to 10 QSO’s for all valid VKFF activations.
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2.13
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All QSO’s are valid for ‘Hunters’, regardless of the number for QSO’s made during the activation.
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2.14
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Each VKFF activation must have a duration of at least 30 minutes. WWFF global rules state 2 hours. This duration period has been reduced for all VKFF activations from 2 hours to 30 minutes.
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2.15
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Operators that use different personal call signs, count as the same individual.
e.g. As an activator you cannot use your own call sign, and then a club call sign or vanity call, and claim this as one activation.
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2.16
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When activating Marine Parks and areas where the security zone is only the natural water area, all equipment must be kept on board ship or on a coastal area located within 100 meters from the edge of protected water surface.
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2.17
2.18
2.19
2.20
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“/ AM” activity on board of any aircraft (airplane, helicopter, glider, balloon, blimp, etc.), located above a protected natural area is not allowed in the VKFF.
Contacts via Repeaters, IRLP, or Echolink do not count for valid VKFF QSO’s.
Operators are encouraged to call ‘CQ WWFF’
Valid contacts will include correct call signs, a signal report, and wherever possible the WWFF reference number.
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3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
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VKFF Awards.
There are five (5) levels of Australian (VKFF) Awards as follows:-
a. Bronze
b. Silver
c. Gold
d. Platinum
e. Diamond
Activators
Bronze
Silver
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work from 20 different VKFF areas
Gold
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work from 30 different VKFF areas
Platinum
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work from 40 different VKFF areas
Diamond
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work from 50 different VKFF areas
Hunters / SWL’s
Bronze
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work/hear 10 different VKFF areas
Silver
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work/hear 20 different VKFF areas
Gold
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work/hear 30 different VKFF areas
Platinum
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work/hear 40 different VKFF areas
Diamond
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work/hear 50 different VKFF areas.
Endorsements, e.g. all CW, single band, etc, apply.
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4 Accreditation of VKFF activity.
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4.1
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For the accreditation of a VKFF area, you must provide an electronic log of all QSO’s made, in ADIF format.
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4.2
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The log in ADIF format, along with any relevant is to be sent to the VKFF Award Manger, VK5PAS at:-
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mailto:simmopa@iprimus.com.au.
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4.3
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The VKFF Award Manager will in turn load all relevant information onto the WWFF Log Search facility which can be found at:-
http://logsearch.wwff.co/index.php
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4.4
4.5
4.6
4.6
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For VKFF activations, there is no requirement (as per 7.1 of the Global rules), to forward documentary material or copies confirming the activity, e.g. photographs, video materials.
The VKFF certificates are available either by:-
a. e-mail
or
b. postal mail
All e-mailed certificates will be forwarded in PDF format.
For certificates to be received via postal mail, the following instructions apply:-
a. Australian applicants
Please provide $5.00 AUS for cost of printing & postage.
or
b. International applicants
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5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
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Please provide $9.00 AUS or 3 current International Reply Coupons (IRC) for the cost of printing & postage.
General information
If you intend to activate a VKFF reference, consider placing your intentions on the World Wide Flora and Fauna forum at:-
http://forum.wwff.co
This will increase the exposure of your activation, and thus increase the number of Hunters that call you.
As a Hunter, consider placing the details of any Activator that you work / or hear on the DX cluster.
You may also like to post your intended actions on the WWFF Facebook site at:-
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WWFF44/
The following are recommended global WWFF frequencies:-
Phone
3.744
7.144
14.244
18.144
21.244
24.944
28.444
CW
3.544
7.024
10.124
14.044
18.084
21.044
24.894
28.044
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6 Terms of listing new VKFF areas.
6.1 The Global WWFF rules allow expansion of National List of References if the following conditons are met:
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50%, 75%, 90% activation rule
a. When 50 % of National WWFF areas have been activated, it is possible to assign up to a maximum of 50 new FF references.
b. When 75 % of National WWFF areas have been activated, it is possible to assign up to a maximum of 75 new FF references.
c. When 90% of National WWFF areas have been activated, it is possible to assign up to a maximum of 90 new FF references.
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6.2
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Generally VKFF areas are considered to be activated, if one of the following two criteria is met.
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There have been 1 or more activations of the area.
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There has been 10 or more QSO’s from the area.
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6.3
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If more than 50% are activated in Log Search the VKFF Council can assign single VKFF areas on request, when the amateur radio operator requesting can guarantee that the area will be activated.
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7 Further reference.
7.1 Further reference to the program and various awards can be found at the following websites:-
World Wide Flora & Fauna in amateur radio website
http://www.wwff.co
World Wide Flora & Fauna (Australia) website
http://www.wwffaustralia.weebly.com
World Wide Flora & Fauna Forum
http://www.forum.wff.co World Wide Flora & Fauna Log Search
http://www.logsearch.wwff.co/index.php
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9
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Annexures.
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Appendix A
Appendix B
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