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![Previous (earlier) Story](/images/sty-down.gif ""99-Foot Tower Pits Radio Ham vs Neighbors""){kind=small} Previous: "99-Foot Tower Pits Radio Ham vs Neighbors" |  Next: Emma Berg, W0JUV/AAR7AX, Still on the Air at 100 |
 Part of the W1NY Field Day 2004 team in Granby, Massachusetts. [Rick Lindquist, N1RL, Photo] |
NEWINGTON, CT, Feb 2, 2005--Those planning to participate in this year's Field Day will need to bone up in advance on a few changes in the rules for the ever-popular operating event. Field Day this year takes place June 25-26. The 2261 Field Day entries for 2004 were the most ever. While similar in format to a contest, Field Day is primarily a means to exercise and demonstrate Amateur Radio's emergency operating capabilities while having fun at the same time. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, says that among other things rule changes for 2005 expand eligibility for bonus points.
"All groups will be eligible for some kind of bonus points," Henderson said. "Make sure you carefully read Field Day Rule 7.3." That rule spells out how to qualify for such bonus points as 100 percent emergency power, media publicity, message handling, making satellite contacts, using an alternative power source and copying the W1AW bulletin, among other things. Many bonus point categories are available to all entry classes.
Henderson notes that some large clubs often compete among themselves to see who can claim the highest number of transmitters. Under the revised rules, all transmitters must be on the air with an operator to count toward a club's entry class. "You have to actually have individual people and sufficient equipment capable of operating simultaneously," Henderson emphasized, referencing Rule 4. "The key word there is 'simultaneously.'"
The Field Day exchange consists of the number of
transmitters on the air followed by the participation category (A through F).
Operators would send "3A," for example, for a club or non-club portable setup
with three transmitters on the air at the same time. Rule 4 also specifically
prohibits switching and simulcasting devices.
 Matthew Boisvere contacted WB9F for the first GOTA contact for the Hampden County Radio Association's Field Day. Matthew is a member of Cub Pack 424 in Chicopee, Massachusetts. [Jean Collier, N1MJC, Photo] |
The 2005 Field Day rules also modify the number of transmitters eligible for bonus points that a group can claim for its operating class. "You can only claim the emergency power bonus points for up to 20 transmitters," Henderson explains. "That's a maximum of 2000 emergency power bonus points." There no limit on the number of transmitters eligible participants may have on the air, however. Field Day rules already generally prohibit the use of more than one transmitter at the same time on a single band-mode.
In addition, Field Day 2005 will introduce a new "Youth
Element" bonus category (Rule 7.3.15). Clubs or groups operating in Class A, C,
D, E or F now can claim 20 bonus points--up to a maximum of 100--for each person
aged 18 or younger, who completes a valid Field Day contact. Single-operator
Class B stations can earn a 20-point bonus if the operator is age 18 or
younger. Two-person Class B setups can claim a 20-point bonus for each operator
age 18 or younger, for a maximum of 40 points. The maximum number of participants
for Class B entries remains at two.
 Dan Sullivan, KO1D, operates CW during Field Day 2004. [Rick Lindquist, N1RL, Photo] |
Another rule change clarifies that Get On The Air (GOTA)
stations--instituted a few years ago to encourage new or comparatively
inexperienced operators to gain operating practice--use the same exchange as
the "parent" station. The maximum transmitter output power for GOTA stations is
150 W, and GOTA stations may only operate on the Field Day HF bands.
 Jim Mullen, KK1W, checks the all-important generator for the W1NY Field Day 2004 operation. [Rick Lindquist, N1RL, Photo] |
Free transmitters do not count toward a group's total, and GOTA stations and free VHF stations for Class A entries do not qualify for bonus point credits.
Henderson encourages Field Day participants to submit their Field Day summaries electronically using the Web applet form. "You may input your summary information at that site for a 50-point bonus," Henderson points out. Last year, approximately half of the Field Day entries arrived at ARRL Headquarters via this route.
The Maritime Radio Historical Society's K6KPH, comprised of former operators of the KPH commercial shore station, now an historic site, again will augment W1AW Field Day CW and RTTY bulletin transmissions for West Coast participants. K6KPH will use the traditional W1AW frequencies.
Finally, Henderson urges Field Day participants to share their experiences and photos with others via the Online Soapbox, which has become one of the most popular additions to Field Day.
The complete 2005 Field Day packet now is available on the ARRL Web site.
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