Hi folks,
Every year there's always someone with an off-the-wall question about the Field Day rules. Not hearing one yet, it might as well be my turn...
There are different station classifications based on your power source. What class is a station that gets its power from a Battery Electric Vehicle (one with battery only, no gas engine), for example, if I run my rig from the car's 12v Accessory outlet?
Class-C covers a currently-traditional (ICE) car, one with a combustion engine driven generator (alternator) backing up the car's battery.
My car has no such generator, just a really big battery (57kw). If I park the car and run a 12v cable to the operating position at a nearby picnic bench, and keep to 5 watts or less, am I Class A Battery? What if higher than 5 watts?
Puzzled,
Greg KO6TH
Greg,
If you don't move around to operate from different locations, you should be able to do a class-A operation. You could even make that case if you parked a "normal" car near the picnic table and run off the car's battery, without firing up the engine or moving to different locations. I wouldn't consider it class-C unless the station was capable of being operated while mobile, regardless of the mode of propulsion of your car. Unless I am traveling with a rental car, I try to avoid ever using the car battery to power my radio gear. I'd rather not call AAA to jumpstart my own car. :-)
Class-A stations are not limited to QRP transmitter power levels. The power level determines the power multiplier for your score - if you submit your score to ARRL for this non-contest. When I work Field Day as a 1A station, I am always running on battery power at 5W. Even when I used an HT and Elk on the office balcony last year, to make some SO-50 and ISS packet QSOs during a break from a PBX upgrade project at my office during Field Day weekend. I can run longer on the batteries at 5W, and I enjoy the challenges of operating Field Day QRP - even on satellites.
Without any projects at the office over Field Day weekend, I plan on being at my traditional Field Day location in the Kaibab National Forest about 25 miles west of Flagstaff AZ. I might have a coworker with me, a long-time ham who is itching to get on HF with his own portable gear. I'll steer clear of wherever he operates (Technician license; he'll probably be on 10m and 6m much of the time), and of course I'll try satellites and ISS passes.
If I get up there early enough, and there are workable satellite passes before 1800 UTC on 25 June, I will go a few hundred yards/meters west of my Field Day spot and work satellite passes on the DM35/DM45 grid boundary. I have worked from this grid boundary in the past, parked on the side of old US-66.
Good luck, and 73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK
On Thu, Jun 16, 2016 at 3:47 AM, Greg D [email protected] wrote:
Hi folks,
Every year there's always someone with an off-the-wall question about the Field Day rules. Not hearing one yet, it might as well be my turn...
There are different station classifications based on your power source. What class is a station that gets its power from a Battery Electric Vehicle (one with battery only, no gas engine), for example, if I run my rig from the car's 12v Accessory outlet?
Class-C covers a currently-traditional (ICE) car, one with a combustion engine driven generator (alternator) backing up the car's battery.
My car has no such generator, just a really big battery (57kw). If I park the car and run a 12v cable to the operating position at a nearby picnic bench, and keep to 5 watts or less, am I Class A Battery? What if higher than 5 watts?
Puzzled,
You can operate under whichever class fits your power source. Here is what the ARRL says about the power multiplier. 73...bruce
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 (five). 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. If batteries are charged during the Field Day period using commercial mains or a motor-driven generator the power multiplier is 2 (two). 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 (two). 7.2.4. If any or all contacts are made using an output power greater than 150 Watts, the power multiplier is 1 (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).
From: Greg D [email protected] To: Amsat BB [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 10:47 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Field day power from BEV?
Hi folks,
Every year there's always someone with an off-the-wall question about the Field Day rules. Not hearing one yet, it might as well be my turn...
There are different station classifications based on your power source. What class is a station that gets its power from a Battery Electric Vehicle (one with battery only, no gas engine), for example, if I run my rig from the car's 12v Accessory outlet?
Class-C covers a currently-traditional (ICE) car, one with a combustion engine driven generator (alternator) backing up the car's battery.
My car has no such generator, just a really big battery (57kw). If I park the car and run a 12v cable to the operating position at a nearby picnic bench, and keep to 5 watts or less, am I Class A Battery? What if higher than 5 watts?
Puzzled,
Greg KO6TH
_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Wow, am I reading that right?
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.
and
If any or all contacts are made using an output power up to 150 Watts or less, the power multiplier is 2
That can't be right.
Joe WB9SBD Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 6/15/2016 11:13 PM, KK5DO wrote:
You can operate under whichever class fits your power source. Here is what the ARRL says about the power multiplier. 73...bruce
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 (five). 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. If batteries are charged during the Field Day period using commercial mains or a motor-driven generator the power multiplier is 2 (two). 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 (two). 7.2.4. If any or all contacts are made using an output power greater than 150 Watts, the power multiplier is 1 (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).
From: Greg D <[email protected]>To: Amsat BB [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 10:47 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Field day power from BEV?
Hi folks,
Every year there's always someone with an off-the-wall question about the Field Day rules. Not hearing one yet, it might as well be my turn...
There are different station classifications based on your power source. What class is a station that gets its power from a Battery Electric Vehicle (one with battery only, no gas engine), for example, if I run my rig from the car's 12v Accessory outlet?
Class-C covers a currently-traditional (ICE) car, one with a combustion engine driven generator (alternator) backing up the car's battery.
My car has no such generator, just a really big battery (57kw). If I park the car and run a 12v cable to the operating position at a nearby picnic bench, and keep to 5 watts or less, am I Class A Battery? What if higher than 5 watts?
Puzzled,
Greg KO6TH
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
On Thu, Jun 16, 2016 at 8:06 AM, Joe [email protected] wrote:
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.
and
If any or all contacts are made using an output power up to 150 Watts or less, the power multiplier is 2
That can't be right.
The multiplier is 2 if your highest [powered station puts out 150 W or less. The multiplier is 5 if your highest [powered station puts out 5 W or less UNLESS you are powering it from commercial power or an engine generator.
Seems clear to me.
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2016/2016%20Rules.pdf
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.
7.2. 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 (five).
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. If batteries are charged during the Field Day period using commercial mains or a motor-driven generator the power multiplier is 2 (two).
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 (two).
7.2.4. If any or all contacts are made using an output power greater than 150 Watts, the power multiplier is 1 (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).
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 16, 2016, at 11:22 AM, Peter Laws [email protected] wrote:
On Thu, Jun 16, 2016 at 8:06 AM, Joe [email protected] wrote: 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.
and
If any or all contacts are made using an output power up to 150 Watts or less, the power multiplier is 2
That can't be right.
The multiplier is 2 if your highest [powered station puts out 150 W or less. The multiplier is 5 if your highest [powered station puts out 5 W or less UNLESS you are powering it from commercial power or an engine generator.
Seems clear to me.
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2016/2016%20Rules.pdf
- 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.
7.2. 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 (five).
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. If batteries are charged during the Field Day period using commercial mains or a motor-driven generator the power multiplier is 2 (two).
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 (two).
7.2.4. If any or all contacts are made using an output power greater than 150 Watts, the power multiplier is 1 (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 c -- Peter Laws | N5UWY | plaws plaws net | Travel by Train! _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
The ARRL answers these questions in a timely manner.
Jim KQ6EA
On 06/16/2016 03:47 AM, Greg D wrote:
Hi folks,
Every year there's always someone with an off-the-wall question about the Field Day rules. Not hearing one yet, it might as well be my turn...
There are different station classifications based on your power source. What class is a station that gets its power from a Battery Electric Vehicle (one with battery only, no gas engine), for example, if I run my rig from the car's 12v Accessory outlet?
Class-C covers a currently-traditional (ICE) car, one with a combustion engine driven generator (alternator) backing up the car's battery.
My car has no such generator, just a really big battery (57kw). If I park the car and run a 12v cable to the operating position at a nearby picnic bench, and keep to 5 watts or less, am I Class A Battery? What if higher than 5 watts?
Puzzled,
Greg KO6TH
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Greg, be not puzzled. My Nissan LEAF is an example. As long as I don't put the LEAF in drive and move it around, it is just a big battery -- a really big battery, with about 1.2kV @ 13.8 Vdc direct from the positive side of the small 12 vdc battery and from the negative grounding buss at the rear of the motor compartment. The LEAF 400 Vdc power pack automatically keeps the 12 vdc battery charged while operating. In reality the 12vdc battery acts to transform the 400 vdc big battery down to 12 vdc. I have photos and description on the Nissan LEAF Forum.
73 Dave N4CVX
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 15, 2016, at 22:47, Greg D [email protected] wrote:
Hi folks,
Every year there's always someone with an off-the-wall question about the Field Day rules. Not hearing one yet, it might as well be my turn...
There are different station classifications based on your power source. What class is a station that gets its power from a Battery Electric Vehicle (one with battery only, no gas engine), for example, if I run my rig from the car's 12v Accessory outlet?
Class-C covers a currently-traditional (ICE) car, one with a combustion engine driven generator (alternator) backing up the car's battery.
My car has no such generator, just a really big battery (57kw). If I park the car and run a 12v cable to the operating position at a nearby picnic bench, and keep to 5 watts or less, am I Class A Battery? What if higher than 5 watts?
Puzzled,
Greg KO6TH
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (8)
-
Dave Mann -
Farrell Winder -
Greg D -
Jim Jerzycke -
Joe -
KK5DO -
Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) -
Peter Laws