One of the first sources of information that I found was rec.models.rockets (RMR). I used to read RMR a lot and was able to get a fair amount of information from the people there – I also got a lot of misinformation. It seemed like a day didn’t go by without someone from the NAR taking a cheap shot at TRA and vice-versa. This squabbling increased until RMR was reduced to being useless. In fact, it’s less than useless because many people searching for a hobby for themselves or their children find RMR first and are immediately turned away from rocketry.

Today, large portions of the people in the hobby get their information from the forums on the various rocketry related sites. Most of these forums are moderated so the really inflammatory messages get removed pretty quickly but you still see the occasional potshot taken. A frequent subject where this happens is in topics asking “What national organization should I join?” This question will invariably result in answers like “Join TRA because NAR is only about contests.” Or “Join NAR because TRA launches aren’t conducted in a safe manner.” Having been to launches hosted by both groups I can honestly say that these types of comments are just not true.

While it’s true that the National Association of Rocketry and the Tripoli Rocketry Association are very different, there is still a significant amount of overlap between them. Both organizations are devoted to increasing participation in the hobby. Both are involved in hosting safe rocket launches (small and large) across the country. And both are united in fighting unnecessary regulation of our activities. With everything that we have in common isn’t it time to stop the sniping?

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	1. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 20-12-2007 11:48
	What Sniping? (/sarcasm) Here, here! Spoken like a true NAR member. I wish Tripoli members had that kind of generosity! (/sarcasm).    The only difference I've seen between the two groups is their accomodation for low power rockets, and sometimes for the extreme high end rockets. I've been to some (but not all) Tripoli launches that did not provide for kids to launch model kits, which I believed to be in poor taste. Tripoli obviously caters to adults, because of the age 18 requirement for certification. Tripoli also provides for experimental rocketry. Tripoli often makes more provision for extreme rockets, with 1000 ft away cells and such. But in practical terms, a Tripoli launch that provides for kids to fly looks very much like a NAR event.

	2. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 24-12-2007 14:56
	Low Power vs High Power It seems to me, that the NAR is switching over to HIgh Power, more and more High Power articles appear in every issue.  I thought that the purpose of the NAR is for the newbees, those, just getting into the hobby.  In my opinion, with all the High Power articles, I feel that someone new to the hobby might be intimidated. But , on the other hand, they might want to jump into the High Power field without any experience.  I call it the "Home Improvement Mentality", just like Tim Taylor, more and more power.  What has happened to the , take one step at a time approach?  I would like to see more articles to entice the newbees into the hobby, with some High Power articles sprinkled in.  Most may not agree, but, this is my opinion.

	3. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 26-01-2008 09:31
	HP brought a Bar back I launched estes rockets as a kid. Now I am back with the eventual goal of launching HP rockets with selfmade motors. Yes, I am doing the research and have started small. I respect NAR for their emphasis on encouraging kids into the hobby. I respect Tripoli for acknowledging us experimental rocketeers. There is room for both. http://msn.com

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