Les,
I hope I'm interpreting your question correctly.
The big challenge for someone trying to collect grid squares during Field Day is that the "contest exchange" for Field Day doesn't include the grid square. Most folks will be trying to make as many contacts as possible, as quickly as possible, for Field Day points.
My suggestion is that you plan to participate as an AMSAT Field Day participant. After the contest, send each of your contacts a QSL card. Request that they send you a QSL in reply *with* their grid square. This way you've made everyone you contact happy *and* you get a QSL with the grid square you need.
To participate in Field Day, you don't have to register with either the ARRL or with AMSAT before the contest, and you don't have to send in a log.
Your Field Day exchange would probably be "November One Lima Foxtrot, One Delta Alabama", that is, your call (N1LF), your "class" (for example, 1D), and your ARRL Section (Alabama). A class of 1D means one transmitter and working from home using commercial power.
You're welcome to try SO-50 during Field Day, but it will be frustrating. On any given pass, there will likely be two or three successful contacts among the 500-1000 hams attempting to make a contact. (So 6 happy people and 994 unhappy people.)
I do *strongly* encourage you to join the fun on the linear satellites (AO-7, FO-29, and VO-52). *Please* make as many contacts as you can on the linear birds!
73, Steve N9IP -- Steve Belter, [email protected]
On 4/23/13 3:44 PM, "Les Rayburn" [email protected] wrote:
Please tolerate another newbie question. I know that during the upcoming Field Day, participants are being encouraged to limit themselves to one contact on SO-50 or to use the linear birds when possible.
I'm chasing grid squares towards Satellite VUCC and other awards. Is it acceptable and good operating practice for my station to make multiple contacts during FD on the linear birds? Seems like a great chance to pick up grids that would otherwise not be active on the birds, but I don't want to be a LID.
What would be the best practice for an operator like myself during FD? I won't otherwise be participating in the contest. Again, my thanks for the advice and counsel of more experienced operators. Everyone on the birds has been great and helpful so far, especially K4FEG!
-- 73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
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