Award Rules for the Croatian Flora Fauna Diploma in the permanent 9AFF Program

CROATIAN FLORA FAUNA AWARD

Joining the efforts of Croatian institutions in the protection and promotion of natural values (areas and species), Croatian radio amateurs, members of the Amateur Radio Club Croatian Flora Fauna (RK HFF), launched the Croatian amateur radio program (9AFF Program) with the intention of encouraging radio amateurs in Croatia and worldwide to raise awareness about the importance of protecting natural heritage, especially endangered areas.

The 9AFF Program includes all Croatian national parks, nature parks, and strict and special reserves. The reference list is available here, and the 9AFF Google Map is available here.

To recognize promotional radio activities from protected areas, the founders of the 9AFF Program (members of RK HFF) established 13 levels of the Croatian Flora Fauna Award, which can be earned by amateur radio operators participating in the 9AFF Program, symbolically promoting the existence and preservation of Croatian protected areas through radio communication.

Conditions for earning amateur radio awards in the “Croatian Flora and Fauna” Program

  1. The Croatian Flora Fauna diploma may be earned by all licensed operators (and SWLs) as:
    • chasers: by making QSOs with operators transmitting from different 9AFF areas
    • activators: by operating from areas listed in the 9AFF reference list
  2. QSOs valid for the 9AFF diploma are counted from June 25th, 1995.
  3. There are no restrictions regarding band or mode, but QSOs must comply with the Regulations on Amateur Radio Communications. QSOs made via repeaters are not accepted.
  4. Chasers make QSOs with stations transmitting from protected areas (references). They must collect a required number of 9AFF references for each award level. QSOs do not need to be proven separately — they are already stored in the logs submitted by activators.
  5. Activators are operators who transmit from protected areas or, in some cases, from their boundary zones. An activator participating in the 9AFF Program must provide:
    • Proof of at least 44 QSOs from each 9AFF reference .ADIF log sent to the Program Manager( logs@9a1wff.eu)
    • Proof of activity (photos, park tickets, GPS track, etc.)
    • After verification, the Program Manager forwards the ADIF log to the 9AFF database.
    • If the activator does not submit documentation, their QSOs will count for chasers, but the activator will not be included in the award program.
  6. If an activator does not submit a log, chasers may confirm the QSO by sending a copy of the QSL card.
  7. If fewer than 44 QSOs are made, the activator may repeat the activation. Logs from multiple days are combined.
  8. Required number of references:
    Chasers + SWL Activators
    Awards different 9AFF references
    9AFF High Honor Roll175150
    9AFF Honor Roll Gold150125
    9AFF Honor Roll Silver125100
    9AFF Honor Roll Bronze10075
    9AFF Honor Roll9750
    9AFF Plaque I8040
    9AFF Plaque II6030
    9AFF Plaque III4420
    1st Degree3017
    2nd Degree2514
    3rd Degree2011
    4th Degree158
    5th Degree105
  9. All 9AFF certificates are free and sent by email in JPG format: for chasers, for activators.
  10. Plaques and Honor Roll boards may be produced in physical form for 45 €. They are made on a wooden base (23 × 18 cm) with printed aluminum foil (gold or white). Shipping costs must be covered by the applicant. Payment details:
    Amateur Radio Club "Croatian Flora Fauna"
    Zagreb, ulica Frane BulicaBulića 14
    Zagrebačka banka
    IBAN: HR82 2360 0001 1021 9136 7
  11. If several operators activate a reference under a single callsign and want individual credit, they must make 44 QSOs for the shared callsign and 44 QSOs for each additional operator.
  12. A group photo must be submitted for multi-operator activations.
  13. An activator’s reference also counts toward their chaser category.
  14. Activators must print the 9AFF reference on their QSL cards.
  15. Expected conduct:
    • Each chaser may use only their own callsign. QSOs made “for someone else” will be deleted.
    • Logged but non-existent QSOs will not be accepted.
  16. Participation in the 9AFF Program is voluntary.
  17. Violations of the rules result in warnings; after three warnings, the operator is removed from the program. Serious violations result in permanent removal.
  18. Decisions regarding disciplinary measures are made by the Executive Board of the Amateur Radio Club Croatian Flora Fauna.

    Program Management, May 15th, 2026.