Announcing a Virtual NARAM

[fulldec]

With the postponement of NARAM-62, we won’t be able to get together in person this summer. We can, however, “virtually” get together via a postal contest. We are hosting this unofficial event for NAR members to provide a fun opportunity to practice our competition skills on the events that will be held at NARAM next year.

We are also planning to hold an online Manufacturers’ Forum. With the NAR already planning to host a Town Hall meeting, together we will be covering, in some fashion, a number of NARAM activities.

The postal contest will be an easy going, completely unofficial activity featuring all six NRC events plus 1/2A Flexwing Duration, Sport Scale and C SuperRoc Altitude (downgraded from NARAM’s D SRA to accommodate smaller fields). Participants can fly between 10-Jul-2020 and 23-Aug-2020.
We’ve tweaked the rules for the purpose of this Virtual NARAM:

• You can time your own models and process your own altimeter readings.
• The return rule on duration events is waived (like NRC)
• Time the whole flight (unlike NRC, so no max’s, this eliminates the multiple ties for 1st we could get with the NRC process).
• No need to register the launch as an NRC launch. Although, if you fly at a formal NRC event, the flights can count for both. You can fly as often as you like.

Complete details here: https://www.nar.org/site/virtual-naram/
These days, many clubs can’t hold organized launches, but individuals, households, or small groups can go out and do this, if you have a field you can use.

Don Carson and Chris Flanigan will be the contest directors for this postal contest. Contact them at [email protected] and [email protected] regarding questions or suggestions about this contest.

We hope this helps our community enjoy some of the fun of a NARAM, and perhaps we will reach some who have never participated in our Annual Meet.

 

[WillMarchant]

This is a great idea! I don't often compete but look forward to this event. Thanks for making it happen!

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update - June 16, 2020
Interested contestants are encouraged to send an email to Don Carson ([email protected]) and/or Chris Flanigan ([email protected]) so we can add you to the growing list of participants.

The Sport Scale rules have been better defined to fit a postal contest.

Did you notice that we are offering cash prizes for 1st through 4th place in each division in every event?

• 1st place – Grant ($50)
• 2nd place – Jackson ($20)
• 3rd place – Hamilton ($10)
• 4th place – Lincoln ($5)

Sweet!

Complete details can be found at: https://www.nar.org/site/virtual-naram/

 

[fulldec]

This is a great idea! I don't often compete but look f or

That's great. I hope others who seldom/never compete or go to the actual NARAM give it a try.

Don

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update June 24, 2020 – Getting Close

It's 2 weeks and 2 days until the opening of the launch window for the Virtual NARAM on July 10. The launch window will remain open until August 23. An online Manufacturer’s Forum and Town Hall are being planned for the original NARAM week. Complete details can be found at: https://www.nar.org/site/virtual-naram/

If you're thinking about participating or would like more information, send an email to Don Carson ([email protected]) and/or Chris Flanigan ([email protected]) and include your NAR number. There is no cost to sign up.

Time to finish (or start) building!

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – June 30, 2020

T-10 days and counting down to the opening of the Launch Window for the Virtual NARAM/2020 contest.

Still have questions about this Virtual NARAM thing? We’ve added a new FAQ page on the website, or you can send Don or Chris an email. Complete contest details can be found at: https://www.nar.org/site/virtual-naram/

We’ve also added a Virtual NARAM/2020 photo album on the NAR Facebook page for you to add your own pictures of Virtual NARAM activities – models, launches, people, etc. Show us what you are building now for the contest! When you put them in the album, they will still show up in the main Discussion feed, just like a regular post.

If you're thinking about participating or would like more information, send an email to Don Carson ([email protected]) and/or Chris Flanigan ([email protected]) and include your NAR number. There is no cost to sign up.

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – July 7, 2020

T-3 days to the opening of the launch window this Friday, July 10!

It is as easy as 1-2-3 to participate:

1. Starting as soon as July 10, go fly any of the Virtual NARAM events you like (following the Ruleswe’ve laid out)
2. Email your results to Chris Flanigan, include your NAR# if you haven’t already given it to us. Hereis what and where to send
3. Check Results to see that we posted your flights correctly. Voila!

Extras:

• Repeat as often as you like to improve your score
• Post some pics on the NAR Virtual NARAM Photo Album
• Something crazy happen? Send a BMQF nomination to Chad Ring([email protected]).

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – July 10, 2020

The launch window is now open!

You can now fly and report results for the Virtual NARAM contest. Full details can be found here.

Questions? Check the FAQ page or send an email to Don Carson ([email protected]) and/or Chris Flanigan ([email protected]).

Congratulations to Bob Zurek for completing the first flight for Virtual NARAM! Results will be posted shortly.

Note: John Buckley and Gary Cole are running a combined NRC, Virtual NARAM, and High-Power Sport Launch on July 18-19, 2020 at a great field near Walnut Grove, MO. Full details here on the NAR “Find a Contest” web page.

Share your fun, post some pics on the NAR Virtual NARAM Photo Album.

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – July 15, 2020

Wow, what a start!

The launch window just opened and already we have entries in 6 of the events. So far a total of 27 individuals (3 A Div., 2 B Div., and 22 C Div.) plus 7 Teams have registered to participate. You can still join in, registration is open through the end of launch window on August 23. No cost to compete, cash prizes, what a deal!

Would you like to be notified when Virtual NARAM results are updated? There are web services that will automatically send you an email when a webpage changes. One such service is Visualping (https://visualping.io/). This service is free for up to two webpages. For Virtual NARAM, create a tracker for the “Contest Results” page (https://www.nar.org/site/virtual-naram/results/). You’ll receive an email each day that the contest results are updated.

Registration is open for the NAR Town Hall, Manufacturers Forum and the BoD meeting via Zoom videoconference. You gotta be a NAR member to watch. Check the details here: https://www.nar.org/upcoming-webinars/.

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – July 22, 2020

Off and Running! Stats, NARAM Week, Club Points, Photos Needed, Scale Data Turn-in

With the launch window now open for almost 2 weeks, there are 44 entries (not including those who flew again to better their score) across the events. So far, a total of 32 individuals (5 A Div., 2 B Div., and 25 C Div.) plus 9 Teams (another 24 individuals) have registered to participate. You can still join in, registration is free, and you can register anytime through the end of launch window on August 23.

Next week would have been NARAM Week! There are a number of Virtual NARAM Week activities coming up, like:

• Board of Trustees meeting Saturday, 7/25
• Scale Data turn-in Sunday, July 26, just like it would have been for regular NARAM. Unlike the regular NARAM, we will accept data turn-in until August 9, for you dawdlers. See the Contest Rules for specifics.
• Manufacturers Forum Monday, 7/27
• NAR Town Hall Meeting Wednesday, 7/29

Don’t forget to register for the meetings and forums. They will be held via Zoom videoconference. You gotta be a NAR member to register. Details here: https://www.nar.org/upcoming-webinars/.

Is your club the competitive type? We’ve added a Section Participation category to rack up how each club is doing in the Virtual NARAM. No money, no trophy, no Championship, just bragging rights.After all, that’s what this is all about, right? I mean, to encourage more participation in the Virtual NARAM. You can find the rack up on the Contest Results page (https://www.nar.org/site/virtual-naram/results/)

We have a problem you can help with. We are putting together an article for Sport Rocketry magazine. Unfortunately, our cub reporters/photographers can’t be at all your launches. We need photos for the article. You can post them at the NAR Facebook album (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10157281250785887&type=3) or send them to Don at [email protected]. I heard that the editor likes pictures with people (and rockets) in them instead of just rockets launching (me too). Send uncropped pics to me. Tom will crop to suit him. Specific guidelines can always be found on page 4 of your Sport Rocketry mag.

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – July 29, 2020

It’s Selfie Time, Woulda Been NARAM Week, Town Hall Tonight, Club Points, Scale Data Turn-in

Show off that rocket of yours, take a selfie of you and your Virtual-NARAM rocket (before or after you fly). You can post them on the NAR Facebook page or the Virtual NARAM Facebook Photo Album(https://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=oa.10157281250785887&type=3) or send them to Don at[email protected]. It is only fitting in this brave new virtual world. And we need photos for Sport Rocketry magazine.

We are 20 days into the Virtual NARAM launch window. With 25 days left before the launch window closes, we are nearing the halfway point. We have 106 entries (up from 44 last week) across the events. Note that about half the cash prize places have not yet been filled with entries. Free money, folks! Don’t leave it on the table.

You can still join in, registration is free, and you can register anytime through the end of launch window on August 23. All you have to do is send an email to Don Carson ([email protected]) and/or Chris Flanigan ([email protected]) and include your NAR number.

This week would have been NARAM Week! We hope you are enjoying some of the Virtual NARAM Week activities going on, like:

• Last Saturday the Board of Trustees meeting was available as a webinar!
• Monday evening featured a great Manufacturers Forum webinar.

Still to come:

• Don’t forget TONIGHT (Wednesday, 7/29) is the NAR Town Hall Meeting, held as a Zoom videoconference. You gotta be a NAR member to register, with registration details at https://www.nar.org/upcoming-webinars/. There will be many “door prizes” announced at the Town Hall, donated by our great manufacturer community.
• Although Scale Data turn-in was last Sunday, we will accept data turn-in until August 9. See the Contest Rules for specifics.

Since we’ve added a Section Participation category, your participation can help your club increase its point total. You can find the rack up of Section points on the Contest Results page (https://www.nar.org/site/virtual-naram/results/)

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – August 5, 2020

Over the Hump, Pics, Pics, we need Pics, Scale Data Turn-in Deadline

We are over past the halfway point in the launch window, with 18 days of flying left! We have 150 entries (up from 106 last week) across the events comprised of 227 flights. Note that about half the cash prize places have not yet been filled with entries. Free money, folks! Don’t leave it on the table.

You can still join in, registration is free, and you can register anytime through the end of launch window on August 23. All you have to do is send an email to Don Carson ([email protected]) and/or Chris Flanigan ([email protected]) and include your NAR number.

Pics! Show off that rocket of yours, take a selfie of you and your Virtual-NARAM rocket (before or even after you fly). You can post them on the NAR Facebook page or the Virtual NARAM Facebook Photo Album(https://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=oa.10157281250785887&type=3) or send them to Don at[email protected]. It is only fitting in this brave new virtual world. We need these photos for Sport Rocketry magazine or else the article will be just words – BORING! We want to see people in addition to rockets.

Reminder:, Scale Data turn-in final deadline is this Sunday, 8/9. If you’re thinking of entering Sport Scale, you must turn-in your data for static judging by 8/9.

Have you had a flight that did not go so well? You may have a Best Midwest Qualified Flight entry! Send the story to Chad Ring, details here: https://www.nar.org/site/virtual-naram/bmqf/

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – August 12, 2020

In the Stretch Run Now, Scale Viewing Event

Only 12 days of flying left in the Virtual NARAM launch window! We have 218 event entries (up from 150 last week) comprised of 300 flights. Note that about a third of the cash prize places have not yet been filled with entries. Free money, folks! Don’t leave it on the table.

There is still time to participate, registration is free, and you can register anytime through the end of launch window on August 23. All you have to do is send an email to Don Carson ([email protected]) and/or Chris Flanigan ([email protected]) and include your NAR number.

A popular event at NARAM is the Scale model viewing. Next week we are going to have a Scale Viewing/social event via Zoom for those registered to participate in the Virtual NARAM. Scheduled for Wednesday, 8/19 at 8:30 pm EST, we hope to have current Scale competitors on hand to show off their models. Stop in, check out the current crop of scale models, and chat a bit. Watch for a ZOOM invite.

Pics! We are still beating the bushes for pics to go in the Sport Rocketry article. You can send them to Don at [email protected] or post them on the NAR Facebook page or the Virtual NARAM Facebook Photo Album (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=oa.10157281250785887&type=3). We want to see you beautiful people in addition to rockets.

Have you had a flight that did not go so well? You may have a Best Midwest Qualified Flight entry! Send the story to Chad Ring, details here: https://www.nar.org/site/virtual-naram/bmqf/

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – August 19, 2020

Final Push, Scale Viewing Event Tonight, Results Submittal Deadline

Only a few days left in the Virtual NARAM launch window! Note the following deadlines:

• August 23 (Sunday) – Flight window ends at 24:00 PDT
• August 24 (Monday) – Data for all flights (including Sport Scale) must be submitted by 24:00 PDT – This is a hard deadline, no exceptions!
• August 25 (Tuesday) – All results posted for your review. Corrections must be submitted to Chris by 24:00 PDT. You can review your current results now and let us know of any errors.
• August 26 (Wednesday) – Awards announced – Awards Banquet (via Zoom) 8:30 EDT

Flight results keep coming in. We now have 256 event entries (up from 218 last week) comprised of 368 flights. Note there are 35 of the cash prize places have not yet been filled with entries (though it is now too late for the 5 places in Sport Scale). Free money, folks! Don’t leave it on the table.

There is still time to participate, registration is free, and you can register anytime through the end of launch window on August 23. All you have to do is send an email to Don Carson ([email protected]) and/or Chris Flanigan ([email protected]) and include your NAR number.

The Scale Viewing/social event (via Zoom) for those registered to participate in the Virtual NARAM is scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, 8/19 at 8:30 pm EST. We hope to have current Scale competitors on hand to show off their models. Stop in, check out the current crop of scale models, and chat a bit. Watch for a ZOOM invite.

Pics! We are still beating the bushes for pics to go in the Sport Rocketry article. You can send them to Don at [email protected] or post them on the NAR Facebook page or the Virtual NARAM Facebook Photo Album (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=oa.10157281250785887&type=3). We want to see you beautiful people in addition to rockets.

Don’t be embarrassed, have you had a flight that did not go so well? You may have a Best Midwest Qualified Flight entry! Fame and glory may yet be yours. Send the story to Chad Ring, details here: https://www.nar.org/site/virtual-naram/bmqf/

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – September 4, 2020

We concluded a very successful Virtual NARAM event this summer with the Awards Banquet on Wednesday, August 26. By the end, there were 58 individual participants and 13 teams (composed of 32 people) for a total of 90 participants spanning all age divisions. Many thanks to all who participated. All in all, we had 356 event entries comprised of 542 flights.

The final results can be found here.

There was participation across the country from the young to the seasoned, from regular competitors to newbies, and also some folks who would not have been able to travel to participate in the regular NARAM event. We have learned a lot about the capabilities to expand our reach and increase accessibility to these activities though online means.

All that being said, we are looking forward to seeing everyone in person next year. Be safe.

Don Carson and Chris Flanigan

 

[fulldec]

Virtual NARAM Update – September 10, 2020

Relive the Awards Banquet, Survey Reminder

Just a short note. The Awards and Door Prizes have been mailed (except the NCR ones, which were emailed).

The Virtual NARAM Awards Banquet was recorded and has been posted on the NAR’s YouTube channel. You know we had one, right? If you missed the Awards Banquet or are just jonesing to relive it, you can find it here Virtual NARAM Awards Banquet