How IREF evaluates expeditions
The purpose of the following grading scale is to help with the decision of how much support is granted by IREF to an expedition. The areas of interest are the rarity of the island, number of operators, operating strategy, number of stations, QSL practices, the expense of reaching the island and the net experience of the expedition team. This process is only be a tool in helping the board of trustees make its funding decision.
Category |
Criteria |
|
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
Rarity of Island |
|
|
|
|
New IOTA |
|
20 |
|
Top 5% |
|
18 |
|
Top 10% |
|
16 |
|
Top 20 |
|
14 |
|
top 30 |
|
10 |
|
Top 50 |
|
5 |
|
* Percentages deal with the need within the continent that the island is found |
|
|
Number of Operators |
|
|
|
|
3+ |
|
10 |
|
2 |
|
7 |
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
*An operator consists of a licenced amateur radio operator |
|
|
Operating Strategy |
|
|
|
|
24 hours per day |
|
10 |
|
18 Hours per day |
|
7 |
|
12 hours per day |
|
5 |
|
8 hours per day |
|
3 |
|
* The times represent operating hours during a day |
|
|
Number of Days Operating |
|
|
|
|
4+ |
|
10 |
|
3 |
|
7 |
|
2 |
|
5 |
|
1 |
|
2 |
Number of bands used |
|
|
|
|
7-9 |
|
10 |
|
5-6 |
|
9 |
|
4 - must include 4 of the 5 primary bands: 3.5, 7, 14, 21, 28 |
|
8 |
|
3 - Must include 3 of the 5 primary bands |
|
6 |
|
5 - Must include either 14 or 21 MHz |
|
5 |
|
1 - Must be either 14 or 21 MHz |
|
2 |
Number of stations |
|
|
|
|
2+ |
|
10 |
|
1 |
|
5 |
QSL Practice |
|
|
|
|
Within 3 months |
|
10 |
|
Within 4 months |
|
7 |
|
Within 5 months |
|
5 |
Expedition Experience |
|
|
|
|
2+ expeditions - based on difficulty & success |
|
6-10 |
|
1 expedition - based on difficulty & success |
|
1-5 |
Difficulty of reaching the island and the net experience of the operating team will be evaluated and used to help make decisions regarding the funding of the expedition. This process can be used as an incentive for additional funding after the expedition if certain goals are attained. For example, a limited funding commitment to a certain expedition because of lack of experience, etc., however if a significant number of QSO's, QSL timing, etc. are achieved additional funding could be forthcoming.