USA Radio-O Proposes older categories to the world
Joseph Huberman
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
ARRL Radio Orienteering Committee
To the IARU Region 1 ARDF Working Group,
The ARRL Radio Orienteering Committee respectfully requests the addition of new age group categories W75 and M80 to our competitive framework. (Proposed changes to IARU Region 1 ARDF Rules 15.2, 20.7 and 28 are included below.)
Veteran ARDF athletes continue to train and compete actively, demonstrating a strong desire to participate in the sport they love. By embracing these new categories, we not only prioritize their well-being, we also acknowledge their dedication and commitment to amateur radio. In recent years, radio orienteering in the USA has grown significantly, thanks to the dedication of veterans. Their hard work has attracted youth to our sport. With these categories, we can provide these veterans with greater incentives to continue developing ARDF around the world.
Currently, athletes aged 75 and older (women) and 80 and older (men) are compelled to compete in the W65 and M70 categories, respectively. The competitors whose teams don’t have spaces in the W65 and M70 categories are unable to compete in the World Championships. Competitors on teams with space in the W65 and M70 categories are undertaking courses and competing against significantly younger competitors on courses designed for the younger individuals. By competing in these more rigorous categories, our older participants are exposed to greater risk, not less.
We understand the Working Group's concerns regarding the safety of older participants, specifically the concern that introducing these categories might increase risk. But, in fact, the opposite is true. Establishing these new age groups will enhance safety, fairness, and increase the competitive opportunity for our most experienced competitors and allow the sport to retain their knowledge and ongoing contributions within the sporting community
Including these categories brings ARDF in line with other international sports. IOF Orienteering events include these older categories. The IOF masters orienteering categories require W85 and M85 as well as older categories when there are entrants in these categories. (IOF rule WMOC 5.9) The USA has been including these categories in ARDF as well as our Orienteering National Ranking Events for years without problems.
Introducing W75 and M80 categories will allow for the creation of courses specifically tailored to the physical capabilities and competitive needs of these age groups, and can be accomplished with minimal additional work. This will enable organizers to design less demanding courses, potentially shorter in length, with less climb for these categories, thereby reducing the physical difficulty for these athletes. Furthermore, it will foster a more equitable competitive environment, allowing individuals to compete against peers of similar age and ability. This alignment is crucial for maintaining engagement and motivation among our long-standing participants as well as increasing organizers' revenue at our major events.
Thank you for considering this important matter. The addition of W75 and M80 categories will be a positive step forward for the sport, promoting both safety and fairness for our valued senior participants.
Sincerely,
ARRL Radio Orienteering Committee
Proposed changes to IARU Region 1 ARDF Rules to add categories W75 and M80
15.2 Categories
add…
20.7 Number of transmitters and course lengths assigned to particular categories:
Add …
28. Transmitters arrangement
28.1 Classic competitions are organised on both the 3,5 MHz and 144 MHz bands simultaneously. Categories are divided into two groups: one group contains categories M19, M21, M40, W19 and W21, the other group contains categories M50, M60, M70, M80, W35, W45, W55 W65 and W75. On the first competition day, one group runs on the 3.5 MHz band and the other group on the 144 MHz band. On the second competition day, the bands are swapped.
Nadia Scharlau
On Jun 28, 2025, at 9:53 PM, Joseph Huberman <joseph....@gmail.com> wrote:
The Radio-O Committee had drafted a proposal to change the Region 1 rules to add the categories W75 and M80. As you know, Region 1 rules are used for the World Champs.I have sent the proposal (below) to as many leaders of the ARDF groups around the world as I could find. If you have any international ARDF friends, please forward this to them.Here is a link to the proposal if you prefer google docs
Joseph Huberman
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Ruth Bromer
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Joseph Huberman
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Joseph Huberman
904 Dorothea Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603
m. (919)610-1788
Charles Scharlau
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/radio-o-usa/CAO60M%3Dhe66qt5UBtGdcEMuCiGDBgxApQ12YLZRyPxoXSrggD7w%40mail.gmail.com.
Joseph Huberman
================================
Joseph Huberman
904 Dorothea Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603
m. (919)610-1788