QRP Power Level?

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QRP Power Level?

Kent Tannery
Can someone tell me the "official" definition of QRP Power Level?  Is it 5 watts for voice and CW modes?  I notice that many contests have a QRP class but they do not define QRP power and I cannot find it on ARRL site.  Thanks,
  Kent
  KD5SHM
  K2/100 #4631
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RE: QRP Power Level?

Darwin, Keith
5 Watts CW output from the rig.  At one time I heard something about the
level being 10 or 12 watts PEP for SSB but I've never run across any
confirmation so I believe the official "definition" is 5 watts period.

- Keith KD1E -
- K2 5411 -

-----Original Message-----
From: Kent Tannery

Can someone tell me the "official" definition of QRP Power Level?  Is it
5 watts for voice and CW modes?
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RE: QRP Power Level?

Don Wilhelm-3
In reply to this post by Kent Tannery
Kent,

There is no 'official' concensus that I am aware of.

Each contest should specify what they consider QRP power levels in their
contest rules.
CW is almost always 5 watts, but SSB is sometimes either 5 watts or 10
watts - the ARRL seems to consider 5 watts as QRP for both SSB and CW.

Check the rules for each contest (or certificate) to be certain.

73,
Don W3FPR


> -----Original Message-----
>
> Can someone tell me the "official" definition of QRP Power Level?
>  Is it 5 watts for voice and CW modes?  I notice that many
> contests have a QRP class but they do not define QRP power and I
> cannot find it on ARRL site.  Thanks,
>   Kent
>   KD5SHM
>   K2/100 #4631
>

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Re: QRP Power Level?

Karl Larsen
In reply to this post by Kent Tannery
Kent Tannery wrote:
> Can someone tell me the "official" definition of QRP Power Level?  Is it 5 watts for voice and CW modes?  I notice that many contests have a QRP class but they do not define QRP power and I cannot find it on ARRL site.
    The definition is a firm maximum from the transmitter of 5 watts on
CW at the antenna terminal. For SSB it has been calculated that a
average of 5 watts will be the same as 10 watts read on a peak reading
meter. I checked my FT-817 and it does just about 10 watts on my MFJ
peak reading power meter in my MFJ-969 antenna tuner.

73 Karl



>  Thanks,
>   Kent
>   KD5SHM
>   K2/100 #4631
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>
>
>  

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Re: QRP Power Level?

Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU
Administrator
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-3
This is a bit of a bĂȘte noir for me.  QRP-ARCI, QRP Canada, and GQRP all
define SSB QRP as 10W.   The K2, Elecraft's only QRP SSB rig, is spec'd
at 10W (though the K2 can do more on some bands), and while the K1 could
be modifid to run SSB, Elecraft isn't doing it because of the
insufficient power output.  I think that states Elecraft's position on
the topic.

As for FD, I wish the ARRL would follow suit, and also decouple the
battery/solar bonus from the 5W limit.  If FD really is a disaster test,
it is more reasonable to have a category that is one-op, solar/battery
power, and not limited to 5W.  My father N5LK was in Katrina, and we
were both in 2 other major hurricanes (Camille and Betsy) and a tornado,
and I was in the 1989 Loma Prieta 7.0 earthquake, and am expecting
another one sometime.  I am prepared to run welfare traffic with solar
power and batteries, and while I will not be running 100W, I will not be
running 5W either.

Leigh/WA5ZNU

On Fri, 7 Jul 2006 9:01 am, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Kent,
>
> There is no 'official' concensus that I am aware of.
>
> Each contest should specify what they consider QRP power levels in
> their
> contest rules.
> CW is almost always 5 watts, but SSB is sometimes either 5 watts or 10
> watts - the ARRL seems to consider 5 watts as QRP for both SSB and CW.
>
> Check the rules for each contest (or certificate) to be certain.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>>  -----Original Message-----
>>
>>  Can someone tell me the "official" definition of QRP Power Level?
>>   Is it 5 watts for voice and CW modes?  I notice that many
>>  contests have a QRP class but they do not define QRP power and I
>>  cannot find it on ARRL site.  Thanks,
>>    Kent
>>    KD5SHM
>>    K2/100 #4631
>>
>
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Re: FD Battery rules (was QRP Power Level?)

Clark B. Wierda
Just a clarification.

While the Battery subclass is limited to 5W, the Alternative Power Bonus
is not.  We were running 100W on Battery for one of our stations using
Solar Panels as the power source.

I also agree that the Battery subclass should allow more power.  There
would still be the QRP power multiplier to account for the power level.
My club might be willing to go to all battery, but would not be willing to
give up 13db.

I'm for recognizing the additional effort to do an all battery FD with the
Battery subclass.  I don't think we should then penalize them by
restricting the power they can use.  The effort required for Battery is
strongly related to the power level.  If an organization wants to go to
the additional effort to run 100W on battery for Field Day, they should be
allowed to so so.  Just have them get the normal multiplier for the level
they run.
--
Clark B. Wierda
N8CBW


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Re: QRP Power Level?

n6wg
In reply to this post by Kent Tannery
Hi Kent
I went through this a while back.
QRP for every contest I could find is spec'd at 5w out,
cw or ssb.
Good luck and 73
Bob N6WG


----- Original Message -----
From: "Kent Tannery" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 8:25 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] QRP Power Level?


> Can someone tell me the "official" definition of QRP Power Level?  Is it 5
watts for voice and CW modes?  I notice that many contests have a QRP class
but they do not define QRP power and I cannot find it on ARRL site.  Thanks,

>   Kent
>   KD5SHM
>   K2/100 #4631
> _______________________________________________
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Re: QRP Power Level?

Tom Althoff
I've sent Bob and Kent a few examples of QRP contests (and ARRL Sweepstakes)
where participants define QRP as 5W CW and 10W SSB.

Since this in an Elecraft list let's see what the Elecraft QSO Party rules
have to say about QRP power levels...

"When using QRP calling frequencies, use QRP power (5W or less for
CW/Digital, 10W PEP or less for SSB)"

When in doubt always ask the sponsor of the contest for a clarification on
what they consider QRP power on SSB (before the contest begins) so you can
operate the maximum power allowed for that mode.   If the rules say that 10W
PEP on SSB is QRP...you can bet the house that the guys you are going to
compete against are going to be running 10W on SSB even if they normally
define SSB QRP as 5W.

73 de Tom K2TA


----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Tellefsen" <[hidden email]>
To: "Kent Tannery" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 7:36 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP Power Level?


> Hi Kent
> I went through this a while back.
> QRP for every contest I could find is spec'd at 5w out,
> cw or ssb.
> Good luck and 73
> Bob N6WG
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kent Tannery" <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 8:25 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] QRP Power Level?
>
>
>> Can someone tell me the "official" definition of QRP Power Level?  Is it
>> 5
> watts for voice and CW modes?  I notice that many contests have a QRP
> class
> but they do not define QRP power and I cannot find it on ARRL site.
> Thanks,
>>   Kent
>>   KD5SHM
>>   K2/100 #4631
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Post to: [hidden email]
>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
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>>
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
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Re: QRP Power Level?

Clark B. Wierda
In reply to this post by n6wg
QRP-ARCI uses 10W PEP for SSB.

This is used for their one SSB contest and in their awards.

I will agree that most organizatons use 5W period, so it pays to always
check the specific rules.
--
Clark B. Wierda, QRP-ARCI #11646
N8CBW


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Re: QRP Power Level?

roncasa
Hey guys!

I believe he was asking about standards, not the rules in 'test.

The accepted standard is 5 watts CW, 10 watts PEP phone.
This was adapted for many years by the largest, oldest QRP club in
these United States and accepted everywhere: QRP ARCI

Ron, wb1hga

Clark B. Wierda wrote:
> QRP-ARCI uses 10W PEP for SSB.
>
> This is used for their one SSB contest and in their awards.
>
> I will agree that most organizatons use 5W period, so it pays to always
> check the specific rules.
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Re: QRP Power Level?

Jack Brindle
In reply to this post by Tom Althoff
Tom's email can be read to imply that ARRL Sweepstakes defines QRP on  
SSB as other than five watts. The rule specifically states:

"4.2.1. "Q" for Single Op QRP (5 Watts output or less);"

Thus for SSB or CW, the max is 5 watts.

He is right about contest rules - be sure to thoroughly read a  
contest's rules before operating in the contest. There are  
differences in the rules for each contest that make it interesting.  
More than a few contesters have been bitten by assuming a rule that  
doesn't exist in the contest at hand...

On Jul 7, 2006, at 10:03 AM, Tom Althoff wrote:

> I've sent Bob and Kent a few examples of QRP contests (and ARRL  
> Sweepstakes) where participants define QRP as 5W CW and 10W SSB.
>
> Since this in an Elecraft list let's see what the Elecraft QSO  
> Party rules have to say about QRP power levels...
>
> "When using QRP calling frequencies, use QRP power (5W or less for  
> CW/Digital, 10W PEP or less for SSB)"
>
> When in doubt always ask the sponsor of the contest for a  
> clarification on what they consider QRP power on SSB (before the  
> contest begins) so you can operate the maximum power allowed for  
> that mode.   If the rules say that 10W PEP on SSB is QRP...you can  
> bet the house that the guys you are going to compete against are  
> going to be running 10W on SSB even if they normally define SSB QRP  
> as 5W.
>
> 73 de Tom K2TA
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Tellefsen" <[hidden email]>
> To: "Kent Tannery" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 7:36 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP Power Level?
>
>
>> Hi Kent
>> I went through this a while back.
>> QRP for every contest I could find is spec'd at 5w out,
>> cw or ssb.
>> Good luck and 73
>> Bob N6WG
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Kent Tannery" <[hidden email]>
>> To: <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 8:25 AM
>> Subject: [Elecraft] QRP Power Level?
>>
>>
>>> Can someone tell me the "official" definition of QRP Power  
>>> Level?  Is it 5
>> watts for voice and CW modes?  I notice that many contests have a  
>> QRP class
>> but they do not define QRP power and I cannot find it on ARRL  
>> site. Thanks,
>>>   Kent
>>>   KD5SHM
>>>   K2/100 #4631
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Post to: [hidden email]
>>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>>>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Post to: [hidden email]
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>
> _______________________________________________
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- Jack Brindle, W6FB
------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------


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Re: FD Battery rules (was QRP Power Level?)

N2EY
In reply to this post by Clark B. Wierda
In a message dated 7/7/06 3:16:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [hidden email] writes:

While the Battery subclass is limited to 5W, the Alternative Power Bonus
is not.  We were running 100W on Battery for one of our stations using
Solar Panels as the power source.

I also agree that the Battery subclass should allow more power.  There
would still be the QRP power multiplier to account for the power level.
My club might be willing to go to all battery, but would not be willing to
give up 13db.


I think there are a couple different issues here.

First off, the power levels aren't equally spaced. 5 W to 150 W is almost 15 dB, but 150 W to 1500 W is only 10 dB.

Second, a multitransmitter setup has to use the power of the highest-power station in the setup. IOW, if it's not all QRP, it's not QRP at all. It didn't used to be that way - until 1971, a multitransmitter setup could have multiple power categories and multipliers. I think we should go back to the way it was before 1971.

73 de Jim, N2EY
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Re: QRP Power Level?

Stuart Rohre
In reply to this post by Clark B. Wierda
actually, the two major international QRP groups, QRP ARCI and GQRP use 10
watts for SSB, and 5 watts for CW, since they are equivalent in "talk
power".

It is the ARRL who is the odd man out, as most local QRP clubs follow QRP
ARCI in North America, and G-QRP in the rest of the world!

Stuart
K5KVH


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Re: FD Battery rules (was QRP Power Level?)

Karl Larsen
In reply to this post by N2EY
    I am with you Jim. Field Day rules should change to allow a CW
station to operate QRP and get the added score for being QRP, with
another station working SSB at 1500 watts who get the usual 1 point,  
per contact.

    Not sure who to write and ask for the change. But this last FD QRP
SSB was just not practical.

73 Karl




[hidden email] wrote:

> In a message dated 7/7/06 3:16:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [hidden email]
> writes:
>  
>> While the Battery subclass is limited to 5W, the Alternative Power Bonus
>> is not.  We were running 100W on Battery for one of our stations using
>> Solar Panels as the power source.
>>
>> I also agree that the Battery subclass should allow more power.  There
>> would still be the QRP power multiplier to account for the power level.
>> My club might be willing to go to all battery, but would not be willing to
>> give up 13db.
>>
>>    
>
> I think there are a couple different issues here.
>
> First off, the power levels aren't equally spaced. 5 W to 150 W is almost 15
> dB, but 150 W to 1500 W is only 10 dB.
>
> Second, a multitransmitter setup has to use the power of the highest-power
> station in the setup. IOW, if it's not all QRP, it's not QRP at all. It didn't
> used to be that way - until 1971, a multitransmitter setup could have multiple
> power categories and multipliers. I think we should go back to the way it was
> before 1971.
>
> 73 de Jim, N2EY
> _______________________________________________
>  

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Re: FD Battery rules (was QRP Power Level?)

N2EY
In reply to this post by N2EY
In a message dated 7/8/06 8:29:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [hidden email]
writes:


> Field Day rules should change to allow a CW
> station to operate QRP and get the added score for being QRP, with
> another station working SSB at 1500 watts who get the usual 1 point,  
> per contact.

It's not about mode-vs.-mode. It's about being able to mix various power
levels in the same group.

>
>     Not sure who to write and ask for the change.

ARRL Contest Committee. Also put it in the Soapbox comments on the ARRL
website.

But it has to be presented the right way. CW-vs.-SSB isn't the right way,
because non-phone modes already get double the points.

I would say this:

One of the main purposes and core values of Field Day is diversity. The rules
and scoring methods support that, by rewarding many different Amateur Radio
activities with multipliers and bonus points.

But in the area of power level, strict conformity is imposed on
multitransmitter Field Day groups. By making the most powerful transmitter the power level
of the whole group, the incentive to diversify operations by power level is
eliminated. This is contrary to the spirit of the event!

Before 1971, multitransmitter FD groups could claim different power
multipliers for different rigs. According to the QST announcement of the time, this
rule was changed to simplify the reporting and log keeping. Considering how much
the rules have changed over the years, and how much of the logging and
reporting has been computerized, the rules should be changed again to allow different
power multipliers for different band/modes.

If enough of us write to the ARRL Contest Committee with words like that, we
might be successful.

73 de Jim, N2EY


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Re: FD Battery rules (was QRP Power Level?)

W2AGN
[hidden email] wrote:

> In a message dated 7/8/06 8:29:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [hidden email]
> writes:
>
>
>  
>> Field Day rules should change to allow a CW
>> station to operate QRP and get the added score for being QRP, with
>> another station working SSB at 1500 watts who get the usual 1 point,  
>> per contact.
>>    
>
> It's not about mode-vs.-mode. It's about being able to mix various power
> levels in the same group.
>
>  
>>     Not sure who to write and ask for the change.
>>    
>
> ARRL Contest Committee. Also put it in the Soapbox comments on the ARRL
> website.
>
> But it has to be presented the right way. CW-vs.-SSB isn't the right way,
> because non-phone modes already get double the points.
>  

The way the trend is, it is more likely we will see 5 points for each
email originated via Winlink as a future score.

--
  _    _    _    _    _  
 / \  / \  / \  / \  / \   John L. Sielke
( W )( 2 )( A )( G )( N )  http://w2agn.net
 \_/  \_/  \_/  \_/  \_/   http://www.blurty.com/users/w2agn
"CRUSTY OLD CURMUDGEON, AND PROUD OF IT"
("AGN" and "AGN?" are Trademarks of John L. Sielke and may not be
used without permission)

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RE: FD Battery rules (was QRP Power Level?)

Brian Wood-5
In reply to this post by Karl Larsen
[hidden email] writes:
>
>> While the Battery subclass is limited to 5W, the Alternative Power Bonus
>> is not.  We were running 100W on Battery for one of our stations using
>> Solar Panels as the power source.

Hope you don't think that the alternative power bonus can be made with a
higher power level and you can still use a 5x power multiplier. The rules
are very clear: the highest power used for ANY contact is what you use to
determine your power multiplier. If you do 1000 contacts  at 5W and do ten
alternative power contacts at 100W, your power multiplier is 2. There is no
special exemption for alternative power; in fact it even qualifies as a
transmitter for purposes of establishing class.

Good luck proposing changes to the rules. I have not had much luck getting
Dan Henderson to fix the inconsistencies in the FD rules. He has been
totally unwilling to change them. I think he just took a new job though, so
perhaps the new FD person will fix the morass he created.

For example, I pointed out to him that everyone who operates class A and AB
gets to claim the emergency power bonus, because a requirement of class A is
that all contacts are made independent of commercial mains. His answer was
that that's true unless you use commercial mains anyway, which puts you in
class A-commercial...say what!?!. Before about 1992, the emergency power
bonus was a true bonus, applied only when everything at the site
(coffeepots, lights, etc.) was run off generator or batteries. They changed
that rule to accommodate groups who wanted to use incidental light because
of where they set up (e.g., a park with lights, or a building where they
could use existing lights). I pointed out that a simple allowance for the
use of incidental light in the FAQ would have fixed this. But Dan stubbornly
refused to fix this - or that nonsensical "Class A Commercial" subgroup.

In recent years, ARRL has tried to remove the "contest" aspect from FD. Even
in my local club, some members griped that FD was meant to be "fun" and not
a contest. That trivializes a serious effort to do well AND have fun. If
they turn FD into a "fun event" and eliminate scoring, this FD regular in 4A
will quit.

73,

Brian, W0DZ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Karl Larsen
Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2006 6:29 AM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] FD Battery rules (was QRP Power Level?)


    I am with you Jim. Field Day rules should change to allow a CW
station to operate QRP and get the added score for being QRP, with
another station working SSB at 1500 watts who get the usual 1 point,
per contact.

    Not sure who to write and ask for the change. But this last FD QRP
SSB was just not practical.

73 Karl




[hidden email] wrote:

> In a message dated 7/7/06 3:16:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [hidden email]
> writes:
>
>> While the Battery subclass is limited to 5W, the Alternative Power Bonus
>> is not.  We were running 100W on Battery for one of our stations using
>> Solar Panels as the power source.
>>
>> I also agree that the Battery subclass should allow more power.  There
>> would still be the QRP power multiplier to account for the power level.
>> My club might be willing to go to all battery, but would not be willing
to
>> give up 13db.
>>
>>
>
> I think there are a couple different issues here.
>
> First off, the power levels aren't equally spaced. 5 W to 150 W is almost
15
> dB, but 150 W to 1500 W is only 10 dB.
>
> Second, a multitransmitter setup has to use the power of the highest-power
> station in the setup. IOW, if it's not all QRP, it's not QRP at all. It
didn't
> used to be that way - until 1971, a multitransmitter setup could have
multiple
> power categories and multipliers. I think we should go back to the way it
was
> before 1971.
>
> 73 de Jim, N2EY
> _______________________________________________
>


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Re: FD Battery rules (was QRP Power Level?)

Karl Larsen
In reply to this post by N2EY
[hidden email] wrote:

> In a message dated 7/8/06 8:29:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> [hidden email] writes:
>
>
>> Field Day rules should change to allow a CW
>> station to operate QRP and get the added score for being QRP, with
>> another station working SSB at 1500 watts who get the usual 1 point,
>> per contact.
>
>
> It's not about mode-vs.-mode. It's about being able to mix various
> power levels in the same group.
>
>>
>>     Not sure who to write and ask for the change.
>
>
> ARRL Contest Committee. Also put it in the Soapbox comments on the
> ARRL website.
>
> But it has to be presented the right way. CW-vs.-SSB isn't the right
> way, because non-phone modes already get double the points.
>
> I would say this:
>
> One of the main purposes and core values of Field Day is diversity.
> The rules and scoring methods support that, by rewarding many
> different Amateur Radio activities with multipliers and bonus points.
>
> But in the area of power level, strict conformity is imposed on
> multitransmitter Field Day groups. By making the most powerful
> transmitter the power level of the whole group, the incentive to
> diversify operations by power level is eliminated. This is contrary to
> the spirit of the event!
>
> Before 1971, multitransmitter FD groups could claim different power
> multipliers for different rigs. According to the QST announcement of
> the time, this rule was changed to simplify the reporting and log
> keeping. Considering how much the rules have changed over the years,
> and how much of the logging and reporting has been computerized, the
> rules should be changed again to allow different power multipliers for
> different band/modes.
>
> If enough of us write to the ARRL Contest Committee with words like
> that, we might be successful.
>
> 73 de Jim, N2EY
>
>
    Your right Jim. I will write and be clear that I mean in the same FD
group. The Radio Club I belong to is like 99.9% of all the others. Most
Hams like SSB. A small vocal group likes CW. So it splits our club. The
CW lovers go to their own FD and run QRP. The rest go to the Club FD and
work SSB. If we have diversity in power then the two groups can work
together.

73 Karl K5DI

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Re: FD Battery rules (was QRP Power Level?)

N2EY
In reply to this post by N2EY
In a message dated 7/8/06 10:30:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[hidden email] writes:


> perhaps the new FD person will fix the morass he created.

That depends in part on how he is approached. A negative approach will
usually produce a negative response.

And a group request will probably have more impact than one person.

>
> For example, I pointed out to him that everyone who operates class A and AB
> gets to claim the emergency power bonus, because a requirement of class A is
> that all contacts are made independent of commercial mains. His answer was
> that that's true unless you use commercial mains anyway, which puts you in
> class A-commercial...say what!?!.

That was done for a bunch of reasons. Some groups have a lot of trouble with
emergency power - the generator doesn't show up, won't start, etc. Should they
not do FD at all, or be lumped in with home stations? Or should they fudge
the report and say they were 100% emergency power when they weren't?

By listing them as "1A Commercial", they participate, but not against
emergency power groups. Best of all worlds.

 Before about 1992, the emergency power
>
> bonus was a true bonus, applied only when everything at the site
> (coffeepots, lights, etc.) was run off generator or batteries. They changed
> that rule to accommodate groups who wanted to use incidental light because
> of where they set up (e.g., a park with lights, or a building where they
> could use existing lights).

I pointed out that a simple allowance for the
>
> use of incidental light in the FAQ would have fixed this. But Dan stubbornly
> refused to fix this - or that nonsensical "Class A Commercial" subgroup.
>

There was a time when emergency power wasn't a bonus - it was a *multiplier*!

It's not just about incidental light, though. It's about getting FD sites in
a world where the classic open field is becoming increasingly hard to find.
And where the amateur population includes more and more folks who aren't used to
or aren't able to "rough it".

For example, suppose a local middle school cafeteria is available for an FD
site. No existing radio facilities, good parking and access, and a big open
field for antennas. The site also boasts clean bathrooms, a ready-to-go kitchen,
long, solid tables, lighting, and air conditioning!

Should such a site be off limits to A and B groups?

> In recent years, ARRL has tried to remove the "contest" aspect from FD.
> Even
> in my local club, some members griped that FD was meant to be "fun" and not
> a contest. That trivializes a serious effort to do well AND have fun.

Different definitions of "fun".

The great strength and weakness of FD is that it's so many different things:
emergency exercise, contest, social event, training school, camping excursion,
get-newcomers-on-the-air opportunity, rig/antenna comparison shootout,
publicity stunt, and much more.

 If
>
> they turn FD into a "fun event" and eliminate scoring, this FD regular in 4A
> will quit.
>
>

The way to prevent that is for each of us to make our views known in an
*inclusive* way.

73 de Jim, N2EY
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RE: FD Battery rules (was QRP Power Level?)

Clark B. Wierda
In reply to this post by Brian Wood-5
Our effort was a 100W effort.  The transmitter used was the normal
transmitter for one of the four stations.  Therefore, using 100W from
solar is legal.  I never implied anything else.  Are you saying our solar
bonus is invalid?

The original comment was a clarification of the statment about the
Alternative Power bonus which is not limited to 5W.  I additionally
commented that I would like to see Battery allow all battery efforts at
any power level using the exiting power level bonus structure.  This
change in the focus of the message is why I changed the subject.
--
Clark B. Wierda
N8CBW


> [hidden email] writes:
>>
>>> While the Battery subclass is limited to 5W, the Alternative Power
>>> Bonus
>>> is not.  We were running 100W on Battery for one of our stations using
>>> Solar Panels as the power source.
>
> Hope you don't think that the alternative power bonus can be made with a
> higher power level and you can still use a 5x power multiplier. The rules
<rest elided>

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