Hi Kevin,

Here are the VUCC rules for operating from a boundary:

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Awards/VUCC%20Rules%202011_Rev%2020110215.pdf

4. (e) Stations who claim to operate from more than one grid locator simultaneously (i.e., from the boundary between two grid locators or from the intersection of four grid locators) must be physically present in all locators to give multiple locator credit with a single contact. These stations should be prepared to validate their claim. For a mobile station, this means parking the vehicle exactly on the line or corner. For a portable station, this means that the total area occupied by the station's physical setup, including operating position(s), power source(s), and antenna(s), must occupy some portion of each of the two/four grid squares simultaneously. Operators of boundary/corner stations should be prepared to provide evidence of meeting the simultaneous occupation test if called upon to do so. Two photographs – one showing the placement of the GPS receiver in the station setup, and a close-up legibly showing the GPS reading – are typically needed as evidence of compliance. Video footage showing an overview of the operating site and then, uncut and in real time, zooming in on the GPS display coordinates is even better.

(f) Grid boundary lines and grid corners must be established using a GPS receiver whose map datum is set to WGS84, the global default for current GPS receivers. The GPS receiver should be set to use WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) if so equipped, since this improves the error figure to as little as 5 feet. In no case may the GPS receiver show an error figure in excess of 20 feet. Any modern GPS receiver equipped with WAAS will easily meet this requirement, as will most older units without WAAS.

Maidenhead grids measure 1 degree latitude x 2 degrees longitude, so it is possible to fine the intersection/boundary using a standard GOS receiver.

73,

Zack KD8KSN

-----Original Message----- From: Kevin Deane Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2011 4:30 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] How many Grids

Can you be in at once? I mean we are pretty small on the scale of things, so how can you give out more than one grid square at a time?? I mean really, I hear it all the time. What do you do, put your antenna on one grid square, run some coax over and set your radio up on the other grid? Ok boys, hear is DM09 and DM08!!! Her - ert duh, how about I drive to where the four corners of four grids meet, stand right in the middle of that and give out all four of them at once?

Is this how it is done. Just does not seem right to me, seems like cheating. Seriously...Is there not some kind of rules or something?

I think I will leave it at that before I get too offensive.

Kevin KF7MYK _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

Kevin,

Can you be in at once?

Yes, you can.

What do you do, put your antenna on one grid square, run some coax over and set your radio up on the other grid?

You can do that, or just put your station right on the boundary or where the four grids intersect. As others have already cited, the VUCC rules spell out how you would do that, how to document that you are on the grid boundary or intersection, and what's needed from a GPS receiver for that documentation.

The VUCC rules indicate you can either record a video that shows the station and a closeup of the GPS receiver sitting in the station with the latitude/longitude on the display, or take a couple of photos of the station including the GPS receiver along with a closeup of the GPS receiver's display. I opt for the latter, as that takes less memory on the camera (or phone) than a video clip. Photos are easier to e-mail if anyone has a question regarding my station location. They're also easier to work with when I make my QSL cards, where I generally include the GPS latitude/longitude readout on the card along with a description of my location.

I have posted examples of the photographic documentation from a couple of these situations on a web page. These photos were from my trip to Chicago last October, operating from the EN40tx/EN41ta grid boundary in western Illinois and the EN51xx/EN52xa/EN61ax/EN62aa 4-grid intersection in the Chicago area during the 2010 AMSAT Space Symposium. The photos are at:

http://www.qsl.net/wd9ewk/multi-grids/

The "-1" photos are the closeups of the GPS display at each location. The GPS shows latitude/longitude, along with the accuracy figure mentioned in the VUCC rules. That figure is in the upper-right corner of those photos. The "-2" photos are the wider-angle views of my station with the GPS receiver in there. I had my GPS powered on for at least 30 minutes before reaching these locations, in order for the GPS to be stable and have that low accuracy figure.

If you want to go to 4-grid intersections, take a look at this web site:

http://www.confluence.org/

Chances are good you can get some hints and advice from those who have already visited these locations in the past. Make sure to have the latitude/longitude for the intersection when using this site.

73!

Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/