which is better NAR or Tripoli

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How does Tripoli work what are the differences from NAR & Tripoli? I'm looking at gettin' a membership sooooooooon...... I'm pretty new to rockets.... 1 1/2 years or so....



Thanks!!! :) ;)
 
Both organizations' websites will give you lots of info that you can compare based on what you are looking for.
Your location and interests will go a long way in determining which would be better for you.
Or, like many, you may join both.
 
From my perspective, the differences are that the NAR has organized competition with codified rules and Tripoli has a program for non-commercial motors. My understanding is that Tripoli was born back when the NAR strongly disapproved of rockets weighing more than 1 pound and motors with impulse greater than F. Nowadays we have dual citizenship and reciprocal recognition of cert levels. I agree with KennB, find the closest location with folks you enjoy flying with.
 
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My choice to join Tripoli was based on the fact that my local club was Tripoli, so I would start with the club you prefer to join and see what options you have.

Agreed. Find the closest club, head out to a launch and watch....and if it suits you, join whatever faction they happen to be. Unless you want to make your own motors, then you'll need to find a TRA club.
 
If you are into smaller rockets and precision models, consider NAR alone.

If you are into high power, I think both is the only way to roll. Heck each annual membership costs about the same as a baby J motor.

I suppose if you were heavy into EX and more interested in motors than flying, that might be reason to do Tripoli alone. But like I said, adding NAR is fairly cheap!
 
If you are into smaller rockets and precision models, consider NAR alone.

If you are into high power, I think both is the only way to roll. Heck each annual membership costs about the same as a baby J motor.

I suppose if you were heavy into EX and more interested in motors than flying, that might be reason to do Tripoli alone. But like I said, adding NAR is fairly cheap!

^^^ This.

If you're into high power (G motors and above), go Tripoli.

If you are into more traditional low and medium power (A-E motors), go with NAR. Unless you regularly launch larger models, NAR is your best bet.

Before you sign up, find out which club is more active and has more regular launches -- go with them.
 
All I fly is high power and I belong to NAR. If you're into experimental, then Tripoli is the way to go.

And by the way, most Tripoli clubs allow NAR members to fly and NAR the same about Tripoli.
 
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What about international clubs? Is NAR global? Tripoli? If both are, which one has more clubs?
 
It's easy, both are better :). Going with the local club's orientation isn't a bad way to go.
 
If you are NAR, joining Tripoli is irrelevant unless you are flying EX.
You really don't need to be in both as previously stated, most clubs allow flyers from both organizations to fly.
 
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What about international clubs? Is NAR global? Tripoli? If both are, which one has more clubs?

Yes, both global, I recently learned that the NAR has a couple of Canadian sections and Tripoli goes even further afield. Don't know the totals; I'll leave that homework assignment for someone else. :wink:
 
Some folks, for whatever reason, can only think in terms of better vs worse. I would say that they mostly the same but different in a few ways and that both are well worth supporting.
 
Some folks, for whatever reason, can only think in terms of better vs worse. I would say that they mostly the same but different in a few ways and that both are well worth supporting.


This. Wish this forum had a "Like" button.
 
NAR members get Sport Rocketry magazine mailed to their address. TRA members can download Rockets Magazine for free. Both are excellent, and I like getting both.

I do see NAR as really focused on competition, like TARC, ISMC, etc. TRA is more of a "how high and how fast" organization. But as everyone said, join the one that is closer, or join both like I did.
 
There is an even more important reason why adults should join one or both of the organizations: the primary $5,000,000 launch liability insurance policy.

While hobby rocketry is one of the safest hobbies on record, the potential of personal injury or property damage caused by your rocket exists every time the launch button is pushed. If your are 18 or older, or if you have children who are younger, you are personally liable for any damage or losses incurred as a result of your rocket flight. Can you afford to pay for it. If the answer is no, the ~$60 annual dues for membership in a national organization provides you with $5,000,000 of primary liability insurance. In the private market you could purchase the equivalent coverage in an umbrella policy costing at least 10 times more if the company does not exclude rocketry, so it's a bargain for the insurance coverage alone.

Bob
 
I wish that the original poster would have included more information regarding his question. Both Tripoli and NAR websites have clear mission statements. If he did his research there first then ask questions about the differences the answers could be better focused at his concerns.
 
NAR members rule and Tripoli members drool!
LOL!
HA!
Long time NAR member, no Tripoli clubs close. interested in I impulse and below. From what I understatnd, Tripoli members "don't do those small dime store rockets". Quotes from a Tripoli member I know.
 
Long time NAR member, no Tripoli clubs close. interested in I impulse and below. From what I understatnd, Tripoli members "don't do those small dime store rockets". Quotes from a Tripoli member I know.

Not true, at all. I helped run a major three day Tripoli event and the low power pads were hopping, the whole time.

Now, LDRS and BALLS are different, but those are quite specific events and the emphasis is clearly stated.
 
Which is better? TRA of course...but that's because I'm an EX guy.
I'm also a member of both.

But like others have said, find out if your local club has a certain affiliation.
 
My closest NAR site has a 1,500 foot waiver. My closest Tripoli site has a 16,000 foot waiver. The decision was easy.
 
I fly primarily HP with a fair amount of EX, but I belong to both to support the organizations. I couldn't imagine a day when I'll open a pink colored book, but who knows?

My son is TRA only because TMP goes to 12.....
 
Not true, at all. I helped run a major three day Tripoli event and the low power pads were hopping, the whole time.

Now, LDRS and BALLS are different, but those are quite specific events and the emphasis is clearly stated.


LDRS, the national TRA launch, was at my home field this year. We had quite the rack for LPR....and frequently Launched A8-3/B6-4's right before or after O motors. Our monthly club launches, and yearly "big launch" URRF are the same. Most guy's kids are busy burning up blast packs while Dad's out chasing down a rocket.

All are welcome.
Tons of mini-rails, and 1010 for G's, and two racks of rods..... all front and center in front of the LCO at TRA's premier launch. So much for no "dime store rockets"
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At LDRS 14 I wanted to launch my mid power rockets. I asked them about launching and they said if I had my own launch equipment I could just go out on the lakebed and save the launch fees since I was only doing a couple of launches.

Worked for me.
 
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