Field Day
Last updated 13:25 ET 03/29/06
Field Day 2006 Rules
1. Eligibility: Field Day is open to all amateurs in the areas
covered by the ARRL/RAC Field Organizations and countries within
IARU Region 2. DX stations residing in other regions may be
contacted for credit, but are not eligible to submit entries.
2. Object: To work as many stations as possible on any and all
amateur bands (excluding the 60, 30, 17, and 12-meter bands) and
in doing so to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less
than optimal conditions. A premium is placed on developing
skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well
as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of
Amateur Radio.
3. Date and Time Period: Field Day is always the fourth full
weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday and ending at
2100 UTC Sunday. Field Day 2006 will be held June 24-25, 2006.
3.1. Class A and B (see below) stations that do not begin
setting up until 1800 UTC on Saturday may operate the entire Field
Day period.
3.2. Stations who begin setting up before 1800 UTC Saturday
may work only 24 consecutive hours, commencing when on-the-air
operations begin.
3.3. No Class A or B station may begin their set-up earlier
than 1800 UTC on the Friday preceding the contest period.
4. Entry Categories: Field Day entries are classified according to
the maximum number of simultaneously transmitted signals, followed
by a designator indicating the nature of their individual or group
participation. A maximum of 20 transmitters is eligible for the
purpose of calculating bonus points (2,000 points maximum).
However, additional transmitters may be used simultaneously in
determining your entry category. Switching and simulcasting devices
are prohibited.
4.1. (Class A) Club / non-club portable: Club or a non-club
group of three or more persons set up specifically for Field Day.
Such stations must be located in places that are not regular station
locations and must not use facilities installed for permanent station
use, or use any structure installed permanently for Field Day use.
A single licensee or trustee for the entry is responsible for the
group entry. All equipment (including antennas) must lie within
a circle whose diameter does not exceed 300 meters (1000 feet).
To be listed as Class A, all contacts must be made with
transmitter(s) and receiver(s) operating independent of commercial
power mains. Entrants whom for any reason operate a transmitter or
receiver from a commercial main for one or more contacts will be
listed separately as Class A-Commercial.
4.1.1. Get-On-The-Air (GOTA) Station. Any Class A (or F)
entry whose transmitter classification is two or more transmitters
may also operate one additional HF station without changing its base
entry category, known as the GET ON THE AIR (GOTA) station.
4.1.1.1. This station must operate using a different
callsign from the primary Field Day station. The GOTA station must
use only one callsign for the duration of the event. The GOTA station
uses the same exchange as its parent.
4.1.1.2. The GOTA station may be operated by Novice,
Technicians or generally inactive hams under their existing operating
privileges, or under the direction of a Control Operator with
appropriate privileges, as necessary. Non-licensed persons may
participate under the direct supervision of an appropriate control
operator. A list of operators and participants must be included on
the required summary sheet to ARRL HQ.
4.1.1.3. As per FCC rules, this station must have a
valid control operator present if operating beyond the license
privileges of the participant using the station.
4.1.1.4. The maximum transmitter output power for
the GOTA station shall be 150 watts. If the primary Field Day group
is claiming the QRP multiplier level of 5, the maximum transmitter
output power of the GOTA station may not exceed 5 watts.
4.1.1.5. A maximum of 500 QSOs made by this station
may be claimed for credit by its primary Field Day operation. In
addition, bonus points may be earned by this station under rule
7.3.13.
4.1.1.6. The GOTA station may only operate on the
Field Day HF Bands. Only one transmitted signal is allowed from the
GOTA station at any time.
4.1.1.7. The GOTA station does not affect the
additional VHF/UHF station provided for under Field Day Rule 4.1.2
for Class A stations.
4.1.1.8. Participants are reminded that non-licensed
participants working under the direction of a valid control operator
may only communicate with other W/VE stations or with stations in
countries with which the US has entered a third-party agreement.
4.1.1.9. The GOTA station does not qualify as an
additional transmitter when determining the number of transmitters
eligible for the 100-point emergency power bonus under Rule 7.3.1.
4.1.2. Extra VHF Station: Any Class A entry whose category
is two or more transmitters may also operate one additional
transmitter if it operates exclusively on any bands or combination
of bands above 50 MHz (VHF/UHF) without changing its basic entry
classification. This station does not qualify for a 100-point bonus
as an additional transmitter. This station may be operated for the
entire Field Day period for the club and all contacts count for QSO
credit. It is operated using the primary callsign of the Field Day
group.
4.2. (Class A - Battery) Club / non-club portable: Club or
non-club group of three or more persons set up specifically for Field
Day. All contacts must be made using an output power of 5 Watts or
less and the power source must be something other than commercial
power mains or motor-driven generator (e.g.: batteries, solar cells,
water-driven generator). Other provisions are the same for regular
Class A. Class AB is eligible for a GOTA station if those requirements
are met.
4.3. (Class B) One or two person portable: Club or non-club
station set up and operated for Field Day purposes by no more than two
persons. Other provisions are the same for Class A except it is not
eligible for a GOTA or free VHF station.. One and two person Class B
entries will be listed separately.
4.4. (Class B - Battery) One or two person portable: Club or
non-club station set up and operated by no more than two persons. All
contacts must be made using an output power of 5 Watts or less and the
power source must be something other than commercial mains or motor-
driven generator. Other provisions are the same for Class A except it
is not eligible for a GOTA or free VHF station. One and two person
Class B - Battery entries will be listed separately.
4.5. (Class C) Mobile: Stations in vehicles capable of operating
while in motion and normally operated in this manner. This includes
maritime and aeronautical mobile. If the Class C station is being
powered from a car battery or alternator, it qualifies for emergency
power but does not qualify for the multiplier of 5, as the alternator/
battery system constitutes a motor-driven generating system.
4.6. (Class D) Home stations: Stations operating from permanent or
licensed station locations using commercial power. Class D stations
may only count contacts made with Class A, B, C, E and F Field Day
stations.
4.7. (Class E) Home stations - Emergency power: Same as Class D,
but using emergency power for transmitters and receivers. Class E
may work any class station.
4.8. (Class F) Emergency Operations Centers (EOC): An amateur
radio station at an established EOC activated by a club or non-club
group. Class F operation must take place at an established EOC site.
Stations may utilize equipment and antennas temporarily or
permanently installed at the EOC for the event. Entries will be
reported according to number of transmitters in simultaneous
operation. Eligible for a GOTA and free VHF station at Class 2F
and above.
4.8.1. For Field Day purposes, an Emergency Operations
Center (EOC) is defined as a facility established by: a) a Federal,
State, County, City or other Civil Government, agency or
administrative entity; or b) a Chapter of a national or
international served agency (such as Red Cross or Salvation Army)
with which your local group has an established operating arrangement.
4.8.2. Planning of a Class F operation must take place in
cooperation with the staff of the EOC being activated.
4.8.3. Other provisions not covered are the same as Class A.
4.8.4. A Class F station may claim the emergency power bonus
if emergency power is available at the EOC site.
5. Exchange: Stations in ARRL / RAC sections will exchange their
Field Day operating Class and ARRL / RAC section. Example: a three
transmitter class A station in Connecticut which also has a GOTA
station and one VHF station would send "3A CT" on CW or "3 Alpha
Connecticut" on Phone. DX stations send operating class and the
term DX (i.e. 2A DX).
6. Miscellaneous Rules
6.1. A person may not contact for QSO credit any station from
which they also participate.
6.2. A transmitter/receiver/transceiver used to contact one or
more Field Day stations may not subsequently be used under any other
callsign to participate in Field Day. Family stations are exempt
provided the subsequent callsign used is issued to and used by a
different family member.
6.3. Phone, CW and Digital (non-CW) modes on a band are considered
as separate bands. A station may be worked only once per band under
this rule.
6.4. All voice contacts are equivalent.
6.5. All non-CW digital contacts are equivalent.
6.6. Cross-band contacts are not permitted (Satellite QSOs cross-
band are exempted).
6.7. The use of more than one transmitter at the same time on a
single band-mode is prohibited. Exception: a dedicated GOTA station
may operate as prescribed in Rule 4.1.
6.8. No repeater contacts are allowed.
6.9. Batteries may be charged while in use. Except for class D
stations, the batteries must be charged from a power source other
than commercial power mains. To claim the power multiplier of five,
the batteries must be charged from something other than a motor driven
generator or commercial mains.
6.10. All stations for a single entry must be operated under one
callsign, except if a dedicated GOTA station is operated as provided
under Field Day Rule 4.1.1, it uses a single, separate callsign.
7. Scoring: Scores are based on the total number of QSO points times
the power multiplier corresponding to the highest power level under
which any contact was made during the Field Day period plus the bonus
points.
7.1. QSO Points
7.1.1. Phone contacts count one point each.
7.1.2. CW contacts count two points each.
7.1.3. Digital contacts count two points each.
7.2. Power multipliers: The power multiplier that applies is
determined by the highest power output of any of the transmitters
used during the Field Day operation.
7.2.1. If all contacts are made using a power of 5 Watts or
less and if a power source other than commercial mains or motor-
driven generator is used (batteries, solar cells, water-driven
generator), the power multiplier is 5.
7.2.2. If all contacts are made using a power of 5 Watts or
less, but the power source is from a commercial main or from a motor-
driven generator, the power multiplier is 2.
7.2.3. If any or all contacts are made using an output power
up to 150 Watts or less, the power multiplier is 2.
7.2.4. If any or all contacts are made using an output power
greater than 150 Watts, the power multiplier is one.
7.2.5. The power multiplier for an entry is determined by
the maximum output power used by any transmitter used to complete any
contact during the event. (Example: a group has one QRP station
running 3 Watts and a second station running 100 Watts, the power
multiplier of 2 applies to all contacts made by the entire operation).
7.3. Bonus Points: All stations are eligible for certain bonus
points, depending on their entry
class. The following bonus points will be added to the score, after
the multiplier is applied, to determine the final Field Day score.
Bonus points will be applied only when the claim is made on the
summary sheet and any proof required accompanies the entry or is
received via email or normal mail delivery.
7.3.1. 100% Emergency Power: 100 points per transmitter
classification if all contacts are made only using an emergency power
source (maximum 2,000 points.) Free transmitters do not count towards
the group's total. GOTA station and free VHF Station for Class A and
F entries do not qualify for bonus point credit. All transmitting
equipment at the site must operate from a power source completely
independent of the commercial power mains to qualify. (Example: a
club operating 3 transmitters plus a GOTA station and using 100%
emergency power receives 300 bonus points.) Available to Classes
A, B, C, E, and F.
7.3.2. Media Publicity: 100 bonus points may be earned for
attempting to obtain publicity from the local media. A copy of the
press release, or a copy of the actual media publicity received
(newspaper article, etc) must be submitted to claim the points.
Available to all Classes.
7.3.3. Public Location: 100 bonus points for physically
locating the Field Day operation in a public place (shopping center,
park, school campus, etc). The intent is for amateur radio to be on
display to the public. Available to Classes A, B and F.
7.3.4. Public Information Table: 100 bonus points for a
Public Information Table at the Field Day site. The purpose is to
make appropriate handouts and information available to the visiting
public at the site. A copy of a visitor's log, copies of club
handouts or photos is sufficient evidence for claiming this bonus.
Available to Classes A, B and F.
7.3.5. Message Origination to Section Manager: 100 bonus
points for origination of a National Traffic System (NTS) style
formal message to the ARRL Section Manager or Section Emergency
Coordinator by your group from its site. You should include the
club name, number of participants, Field Day location, and number
of ARES operators involved with your station. The message must be
transmitted during the Field Day period and a fully serviced copy
of it must be included in your submission, in standard ARRL NTS
format, or no credit will be given. The Section Manager message
is separate from the messages handled in Rule7.3.6. and may not be
claimed for bonus points under that rule. Available to all Classes.
7.3.6. Message Handling: 10 points for each formal NTS
style originated, relayed or received and delivered during the
Field Day period, up to a maximum of 100 points (ten messages).
Properly serviced copies of each message must be included with
the Field Day report. The message to the ARRL SM or SEC under
rule 7.3.6. may not be counted in the total of 10 for this bonus.
Available to all Classes.
7.3.7. Satellite QSO: 100 bonus points for successfully
completing at least one QSO via an amateur radio satellite during
the Field Day period. Under the "General Rules for All ARRL
Contests" (Rule 3.7.2.), the no-repeater QSO stipulation is
waived for satellite QSOs. Groups are allowed one dedicated
satellite transmitter station without increasing their entry
category. Satellite QSOs also count for regular QSO credit.
Show them listed separately on the summary sheet as a separate
"band." You do not receive an additional bonus for contacting
different satellites, though the additional QSOs may be counted
for QSO credit. The QSO must be Earth-Satellite-Earth in nature.
Available to Classes A, B, and F.
7.3.8. Alternate Power: 100 bonus points for Field Day
groups making a minimum of five QSOs without using power from
commercial mains or a petroleum driven generator. This means
an "alternate" energy source of power, such as solar, wind,
methane or water. This includes batteries charged by natural
means (not dry cells). The natural power transmitter counts as
an additional transmitter. If you do not wish to increase your
operating category, you should take one of your other transmitters
off the air while the natural power transmitter is in operation.
A separate list of natural power QSOs should be submitted with your
entry. Available to Classes A, B, E, and F.
7.3.9. W1AW Bulletin: 100 bonus points for copying the
special Field Day bulletin transmitted by W1AW (or K6KPH) during
its operating schedule during the Field Day weekend (listed in
this rules announcement). An accurate copy of the message is
required to be included in your Field Day submission. (Note:
The Field Day bulletin must be copied via amateur radio. It will
not be included in Internet bulletins sent out from Headquarters
and will not be posted to Internet BBS sites.) Available to all
Classes.
7.3.10. Non-Traditional Mode Demonstrations: A maximum of
300 bonus points (100 points for each demonstration up to three)
for setting up a demonstration of a non-traditional mode of amateur
radio communications. This includes modes such as APRS, ATV, and
SSTV. Available Classes A, B, and F.
7.3.10.1. This bonus is not available for
demonstration of a mode for which regular QSO credit is available.
PSK31 is not eligible as a demonstration bonus as it is now in wide-
spread use and is eligible for regular QSO credit.
7.3.10.2. A complete portable packet system may be
included as one of the demonstration modes. This system must include
a temporary, portable node and must be completely separate from the
existing packet infrastructure of your area. Simply setting up a
packet station does not qualify as a demonstration mode.
7.3.10.3. Demonstration modes may not include
communications carried outside of the amateur radio spectrum (such
as Internet relay).
7.3.10.4. Frequency bands, such as 10 GHz are bands,
not modes of communications and do not qualify for the demonstration
mode bonus.
7.3.11. Site Visitation by an elected governmental official:
A 100-point bonus may be claimed if your Field Day site is visited by
an elected government official as the result of an invitation issued
by your group. Available to all Classes.
7.3.12. Site Visitation by a representative of an agency: A
100-point bonus may be claimed if your Field Day site is visited by a
representative of an agency served by ARES in your local community
(Red Cross, Salvation Army, local Emergency Management, law
enforcement, etc) as the result of an invitation issued by your
group. Available to all Classes.
7.3.13 GOTA Bonus. Class A and F stations operating a GOTA
station may earn the following bonus points:
7.3.13.1. When a GOTA operator successfully completes
50 QSOs, they receive 50 bonus points. Upon reaching 100 QSOs the
same operator receives an additional 50 bonus points, for a maximum
of 100 Bonus points per GOTA operator. An operator may make more
than 100 QSOs but the QSOs over 100 do not qualify for an additional
bonus.
7.3.13.1.1. Additional GOTA operators may
earn the 50 or 100 GOTA bonus points under this rule, up to the
maximum of 500 bonus points.(Remember that there is a 500-QSO limit
for the GOTA station. But no single GOTA operator may earn more than
100 of the GOTA bonus points except as provided in 7.3.13.2.
7.3.13.1.2. A GOTA operator must complete
all 50 QSOs required before the bonus is earned. There is no "partial
credit" for making only a portion of the 50 QSOs.
7.3.13.2. If a GOTA station is supervised full-time
by a GOTA Coach, the bonus points earned for each 50 QSOs completed
under rule 7.3.13.1 will be doubled.
7.3.13.2.1. The GOTA Coach supervises the
operator of the station, doing such things as answering questions
and talking them through contacts, but may not make QSOs or perform
logging functions.
7.3.13.2.2. To qualify for this bonus,
there must be a designated GOTA Coach present and supervising the
GOTA station at all times it is being operated.
7.3.14. Web submission. A 50-point bonus may be claimed by
a group submitting their Field Day entry via the www.b4h.net/cabforms
web site. Available to all Classes.
7.3.15. Field Day Youth Participation.
7.3.15.1. A 20-point bonus (maximum of 100) may be
earned by any Class A, C, D, E, or F group for each participant age
18 or younger at your Field Day operation that completes at least
one QSO.
7.3.15.2. For a 1-person Class B station, a 20-point
bonus is earned if the operator is age 18 or younger. For a 2-person
Class B station, a 20-point bonus is earned for each operator age 18
or younger (maximum of 40 points.) Keep in mind that Class B is only
a 1 or 2 person operation. This bonus does not allow the total number
of participants in Class B to exceed 1 or 2.
8. Reporting:
8.1. Entries may be submitted to the ARRL in one of three ways:
8.1.1. Via Field Day Web Submission Applet site at
www.b4h.net/cabforms/;
8.1.2. Via email to fieldday@arrl.org; or
8.1.3. Via land postal or delivery service to Field Day
Entries, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
8.2. Entries must be postmarked, emailed or submitted by July 25,
2006. Late entries cannot be accepted.
8.3. A complete Field Day Web Applet Submission site entry
consists of:
8.3.1. An official ARRL summary sheet which is completed on
the site;
8.3.2. Supporting information must be emailed to
fieldday@arrl.org or submitted by land service. Supporting
information must include:
8.3.2.1. An attached list of stations worked by band/
mode during the Field Day period (dupe sheet or an alpha/numeric list
sorted by band and mode); and
8.3.2.2. Proof of bonus points claimed (copies of
visitor logs, press releases, NTS messages handled, photographs,
etc).
8.4. A complete non-applet email submission consists of:
8.4.1. An electronic copy of an ARRL summary sheet completely
and accurately filled out;
8.4.2. An attached list of stations worked by band/mode
during the Field Day period (dupe sheet or an alpha/numeric list sorted
by band and mode); and
8.4.3. Proofs of bonus points claimed (copies of visitor logs,
press releases, NTS messages handled, photographs, etc).
8.5. A complete land postal or delivery submission consists of:
8.5.1. A complete and accurate ARRL summary sheet;
8.5.2. An accompanying list of stations worked by band/mode
during the Field Day period (dupe sheet or an alpha/numeric list sorted
by band and mode); and
8.5.3. Proofs of bonus points claimed (copies of visitor logs,
press releases, NTS messages handled, photographs, etc).
8.6. Complete station logs are not required for submission. The
club should maintain log files for one year in case they are requested
by ARRL HQ.
8.7. Cabrillo format log files are not required for Field Day
entries. They will be accepted in lieu of the dupe sheets but do not
substitute for a summary sheet.
8.8. Digital images of proof of bonus points are acceptable.
8.9. Electronic submissions are considered signed when submitted.
9. Miscellaneous:
9.1. The schedule of bulletin times for W1AW is included in this
announcement. While W1AW does not have regular bulletins on weekends,
the Field Day message will be sent according to the schedule included
with this announcement. The W1AW bulletins will be transmitted on the
regular W1AW frequencies listed in QST. The PSK31 bulletin will be
transmitted on the W1AW teleprinter frequencies.
9.1.2. The special Field Day bulletin will be transmitted
from station K6KPH on the West Coast as included in the bulletin
schedule.
9.2. See "General Rules for All ARRL Contests," "General Rules
for All ARRL Contests on Bands Below 30 MHz," and "General Rules for
All ARRL Contests on Bands Above 50 MHz" for additional rules
(www.arrl.org/contests/forms .
9.3. Remember that the national simplex FM calling frequency of
146.52 MHz should not be used for making Field Day contacts.
9.4. The complete Field Day information package may be obtained
by:
9.4.1. Sending a SASE with 4 units of postage to: Field Day
Information Package, ARRL, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111; or
9.4.2. By downloading from the Contest Branch home page at:
www.arrl.org/contests/forms
9.5. For additional Field Day information or questions contact:
contests@arrl.org or phone (860) 594-0232.
2006 W1AW FIELD DAY BULLETIN SCHEDULE
Day Mode Pacific Mountain Central Eastern
FRIDAY CW 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM
Teleprinter 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:00 PM
Phone 6:45 PM 7:45 PM 8:45 PM 9:45 PM
CW 8:00 PM 9:00 PM 10:00 PM 11:00 PM
SATURDAY CW 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM
Phone 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM
CW 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM
Teleprinter 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:00 PM
Phone 6:45 PM 7:45 PM 8:45 PM 9:45 PM
SUNDAY CW 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM
Phone 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM
PSK31 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM
K6KPH Field Day Bulletin Schedule
SATURDAY CW 7:30 AM 8:30 AM 9:30 AM 10:30 AM
CW 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 8:30 PM
Teleprinter 6:30 PM 7:30 PM 8:30 PM 9:30 PM
SUNDAY CW 7:30 AM 8:30 AM 9:30 AM 10:30 AM
Teleprinter 9:30 AM 10:30 AM 11:30 AM 12:30 PM
W1AW will operate on the regularly published frequencies. The special
PSK31 bulletin will be transmitted on the regular W1AW frequencies.
CW frequencies are 1.8075, 3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975, 21.0675,
28.0675 and 147.555 MHz.
Teleprinter frequencies are 3.625, 7.095, 14.095, 18.1025, 21.095,
28.095 and 147.555 MHz (includes PSK31).
Phone frequencies are 1.855, 3.990, 7.290, 14.290, 18.160, 21.390,
28.590 and 147.555 MHz.
The Maritime Radio Historical Society's K6KPH will transmit the "W1AW"
Field Day 2006 message for the benefit of West Coast stations on
3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475 and 21.0675 MHz, CW only. The frequencies
for K6KPH Teleprinter (RTTY and FEC AMTOR) will be 7.095 and 14.095
MHz. At the time of publishing this packet, the K6KPH schedules are
accurate, but may change.
Please check the http://www.arrl.org/contests/forms/w1aw-fd-sked-2006.html
for any changes or additions.