+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 01 Jun 2001 00:11:08 -0400 From: Paul Womble Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Anyone planning to use their K1/K2 for FD? ;) We asked the ARRL last year about logging computers. Their answer was that computers could be ran from commercial power...if they were not used to key the radio. I chose to pick up a large (115 amp hour) marine battery and it ran the laptop via inverter and the K2 the full FD period. Since the laptop running PSK-31 would cause the radio to transmit...sounds like the computer would have to be run from the battery to be 'legal'. Look for K4FB as a 2B-Battery entry from the WCF section at FD 2001. 73 Paul K4FB ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 01 Jun 2001 08:01:21 -0400 From: Charles Greene Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Anyone planning to use their K1/K2 for FD? At 11:16 PM 5/31/2001 -0400, Ron Herman wrote: >At the risk of sparking a debate that's somewhat off the Elecraft topic... >I was planning on powering the computer from the AC... The way I read the >rules is that "all contacts must be made using a power of 5 watts or less >and the power source must be something other than commercial mains or >motor-driven generator". It doesn't say anything anywhere about a >computer... I am using the computer to log contacts... didn't really think >about it's use in PSK31... I've asked around about powering the computer >but no one seems to know the answer... I guess if I have to I can run it >from it's internal batteries for 3-4 hours... and/or a bigger external >battery/inverter that can be charged from the solar panel.. I've used my Lap-Top for field day for a few years. I bought a DC/DC power cable (you could make one yourself) and run the portable from the same big battery used to power the transceiver. One year I used an inverter, but it's inefficient and tends to stop when battery voltage drops a little bit. We recharge the batteries periodically using a generator (class 2A, 100 watts), but you could use the same setup for QRP and use a solar charger. We believe that running the computer from the mains for digital modes would be cheating as the computer is really an extension of the transceiver and the digital modes would not work without it. Logging may be a different story, but I personally believe that is pushing the envelop. 73, Chas, W1CG ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2001 14:21:59 -0400 From: "Mark J. Dulcey" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] More Field Day Chris Cummins wrote: > > What is the format of a contact if you aren't "with a club?" I am a relatively new ham and only attended last years field day for a few hours because I was working a lot then. Totally different story this year. Anyway, I always sent "2a IN" and copied whatever they were . What am I if I am not with the club? As an individual in FD, you have a few possible choices. You can go into the field with a portable station, alone or with one other operator, and operate in class B. (If you have three or more people, you're class A, whether or not you are an organized club.) There are separate categories for class B-Battery and non-Battery (i.e., generator power). Or you can stay at home and operate your home station. If you use emergency power, it's class E, and you can contact anyone. If you use commercial power, it's class D, and you can't contact other class D stations. Finally, if you have a mobile setup (car, boat, whatever), you can operate Field Day using that rig in class C. In all cases, the operating procedure is the same, except that you'll sign yourself as "1B IN" or whatever. And you use your own call sign (or perhaps the other person's in a two-op class B station), not the one that the club is using. The usual rules about power still apply (you get x2 if you run 150W or less; x5 if you run 5W or less and don't use a motor-driven generator or commercial power). Only class A and B stations get the various bonus points that the rules provide. Of course, there is still time to link up with a club group and operate FD with them, if you want to. All the information about Field Day is in the May issue of QST. Or you can get it online: http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/rules-fd.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++