Field Day – KB8ZGL – Mike Wolthuis

Field Day ARRL Rules

I am finalizing some of the information for this weekend.  We are planning
to run 3A (3 transmitters ­ 20/40/80) on generator.For those of you wishing
to bring and try out your new radios (if you are licensed since last year’s field day)
Ie. KD8WYT, KD8YFD, etc. Your radio, will be used at the GOTA (Get on the Air) station.
This station is to be used for unlicensed participants with the use of a control
operator, hams newly licensed since last year¹s field day, or by generally
inactive hams who are maybe more there for camping.  The majority of
experimentation and ³for-fun² outside of running QSOs will take place on the
GOTA station.  We will need to figure out antennas and such for the GOTA
station, as we do not have those accounted for.
Here is the ARRL rules for GOTA:
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 station without changing its base entry category, known as the
GET-ON-THE-AIR (GOTA) station.  This GOTA station may operate on
any Field Day band, HF or VHF, but is limited to one GOTA station transmitted
signal at any time.
4.1.1.1. This station  must use a different callsign from the primary Field
Day station. The GOTA station must use the same callsign for the duration of the event
regardless if operators change.  The GOTA station uses the same exchange as its parent.
4.1.1.2.  The GOTA station may be operated by any person licensed since the
previous year’s Field Day, regardless of license class. It may also be
operated by a generally inactive licensee. 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 at the control point 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 operate on any Field Day band. 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.We Are also going to run the free VHF Station.
4.1.2. Free VHF Station: All Class A entries may also operate one additional transmitter
if it operates exclusively on any band 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 clubs Field Day
period and all contacts count for QSO credit. It is operated using the primary callsign and
exchange of the main Field Day group and is separate and distinct from the GOTA station.
Two rules encourage groups and individuals to broaden their scope during the weekend.
If you complete at least one QSO via one of the amateur satellites , you earn a 100-point bonus.
The contact must be directly through the satellite between the two earth bound amateur
stations, not relayed through a system that uses a satellite up-link system.
A dedicated satellite station does not count as an additional transmitter towards your group’s
total. The total bonus is 100 points ­ not 100 points for each satellite that you contact. Also
note that since 2007 Field Day you are allowed only one QSO on any single channel FM satellite.
A QSO with the ISS does not qualify for the bonus since it is not an Earth-to-Earth contact.
However, if the astronauts on the ISS participate in Field Day (as they have during the 5 of the past 6 years)
I bet the excitement of that contact energizes your whole Field Day operation.
Additional info: Please refer to this Field Day Packet 2014 for all further information and questions
Thanks,
Mike Wolthuis – KB8ZGL
For Meeting times see our Web site www.w8lrc.org,  Talk-in will be 145.270 – 94.8 PL or 147.42 simplexOur Address is: 11535 Fulton St E, Suite 112, LOWELL, MI 49331-9609
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