Jock White Memorial Field Day Contest Rules 2010
Saturday/Sunday February 27/28 2010
This annual contest is named to honour Jock White ZL2GX, NZART Contest and
Awards Manager for over 40 years, for the service that he gave to NZART during
that time.
This contest, like many others, results from Jock's initiatives.
This contest is primarily to test Branch organisation and weld a team of workers
together.
Your team can aim to be as competitive or as social as it likes, or all points
in between.
There is work for all: spouses/partners, prospective members etc.
Notes:
1. The new single station 80 and 40 metres section is being trialled for 2010.
Its purpose is to encourage more operation on 40 by attracting those field
stations that would normally operate in the 80 metres only section. This will
suit branches that struggle with operator numbers to run two simultaneous
stations. Operation will alternate between 80 and 40 on both modes. It is
suggested that the first 15 to 20 minutes of each period is on 80 phone, then
change to 40 phone. Then do the same for the second half hour of each period for
CW.
2. The minimum number of contacts for a field station to qualify as "Branch"
points for other stations is 50 on Phone or 25 on CW. Refer rule 15.2.4.
3. Team leaders should ensure that all of the team understands the rules and
that: newcomers are assisted with their operating technique; the station is
operated within the amateur "codes" as regards procedures, equipment, operating
speeds. See rule 7 below.
4. Splatter has caused significant QRM in recent years and must be avoided.
Check ALC readings, particularly giving attention to the correct use of the
microphone gain control. This is particularly important if a different
microphone from usual is in use.
When operating under Field Day conditions it is best to turn your power
down a little, not to run at maximum. See rule 7 below.
Rules:
1. WHEN: The last full weekend in February each year: In the event that the
Saturday falls on the last day of February, then the second day (Sunday) will be
conducted the following day (i.e. Sunday 1st March) Saturday 0200 -1100, 1700 -
2400 UTC. (1500 -2400 NZT) Sunday 0000 - 0200 UTC (0600 - 1500 NZT).
2. Bands: 40 and 80 metres:
2.1 Simultaneous operation on 80 and 40 metres is permitted
provided that only one receiver/transmitter is operational on any
one band at any one time. Single receiver/transmitters may be used
on one or both bands. The exception is the 80 metres only section,
and the single station 80/40 section.
3. Modes and Contacts:
3.1 Modes to be used are phone and CW. Phone to CW contacts are
not permissible.
3.2 Home stations will identify themselves as such and field
stations will identify themselves as such.
4. Sites/Shelter: All equipment (except generators) to be under the same
shelter. For field stations the shelter to be a tent (one or more tents within
10 metres of each other) erected on the weekend of the contest, mobile home or
other vehicle (moved on to the site on the weekend of contest).
5. Antennae: for field stations to be raised no earlier than 2300 UTC on the
Friday (1200 NZT on the Saturday). This takes into account that some may chose
to erect antennae supports while others may use natural or standing supports.
e.g. hills, trees, towers, buildings etc.
6. Power Supply: for field stations must be from a source independent of the
AC or DC mains, i.e. all power must be from batteries/engine alternator/solar
source/wind generator etc.
7. Operating Standards: Verifiable complaints of poor operating standards,
which impede the ability of other Field Day stations to participate in Field
Day, will result in the offender either being penalised, or disqualified. This
will be at the discretion of the Field Day Manager
8. Contest Sections: Only one section of the contest may be entered by any one
station although that station's entry may qualify for entry into more than one
section.
8.1 Open Section: Field Stations with final power amplifier output not
exceeding 150 watts.
The use of linear amplifiers is restricted to increasing the power
output of lower powered transceivers to the level of a typical
full powered transceiver i.e. 100 to 150 watts.
The trophies stated (detailed in Rules 8.1.1 to 8.1.4 incl. will
be awarded to the highest scoring stations in their respective
Regional Section. Certificates of Achievement will be issued to
all place getters, as warranted by entry numbers.
Field Stations
8.1.1. Northern Region Section (Montgomery Cup)
8.1.2. Central Region Section (Patea Shield)
8.1.3. Midlands Region Section (ZL3/4 Trophy)
8.1.4. Southern Region Section ('4' Trophy)
8.1.5. Single Operator Section -operation unaided by any other
person.
8.1.6. CW Only Section -operation on either band or both bands
CW only.
8.1.7. Phone Only Section -operation on either band or both bands
Phone only.
8.1.8. Single Station 80 and 40 metres- operation on both bands
alternately, no simultaneous operation. Alternate operation
is permitted throughout each hour period. Only one receiver
can be in active use at any one time i.e. another operator
cannot hunt for stations on the other band. Use a separate
log for each band.
8.1.9. 80 Metres Only Section -operation on 80 metres only.
8.1.10. QRP Field Station Section (W M Hall Memorial Cup): The
maximum output power from the final amplifier of the field
st ation must not exceed 5 watts.
Home Stations
8.2 A certificate will be awarded to the overall highest scoring home station.
Due to the variability of entrants in this section other certificates will be
awarded at the discretion of the field day manager e.g. region, QRP, phone or CW
only etc.
9. Operators: The station should be operated by members of NZART except that
operators being introduced to NZART and helpers need not be members. Indicate
accordingly on the summary sheet.
10. Mobile Stations: are eligible for contest purposes as field stations for
contacts made from within one branch area only. The branch number used will be
that of the area where the station is operated.
11. Cipher Exchanges:
11.1 The ciphers given will consist of report and serial
number/branch number. e.g. 59001/11 on phone and 599001/11 on CW.
11.2 Serial numbers will commence at 001 and increment by one for each
contact.
11.3 Where simultaneous operation is used a separate serial number
series will be used for each band.
11.4 Phone and CW numbers on one band are from the same number series.
12. Branch Number: is the NZART Branch number for the area in which the field
station is operated except that stations may move a few kilometres from their
home area to a suitable location. e.g. city to country. Home stations will use
the Branch number 00.
12.1 If the field station chosen location is within another Branch
area care must be taken not to clash with the other Branch
station. The onus is on the 'moved' station to ensure that there
is no clash.
12.2 The Branch number of Branches in recess may be used.
13. Contest Periods:
13.1 There will be 18 periods between the even hours. eg. 1500-1600,
1600-1700, etc.
13.2 Contacts may be made with any field, ZL home or 'overseas'
(refer rule 13) station once each period on each mode on each
band. i.e. on 80m: once on phone and once on CW, and on 40m: once
on phone and once on CW, each period.
13.3 The contacts with any one station on phone and CW on one band in
a period, or on one mode at the end of one period and commencement
of the next, may not be sequential except where 5 minutes have
elapsed between those contacts.
14. 'Overseas' Stations: are those located outside the New Zealand mainland,
and in the South Pacific region. The prefixes that are eligible are: all VK,
ZL5, 7, 8, 9, A3, FK, FO, FW, H4, P2, YJ, 3D2, 5W.
15. Scoring: The final score will be the total of contact points (80m + 40m) x
total Branch Points.
15.1 Contact points:
* ZL phone 3 per contact
* ZL CW 5 per contact
* Overseas phone or CW 10 per contact
15.2 Branch Points (multiplier):
15.2.1 One Branch point is claimed for each Branch contacted on each band and
mode. e.g. one Branch point for contacting Branch 01 on 80 m phone, two Branch
points for contacting Branch 01 on 80 m Phone and 40 m Phone or 4 Branch Points
for contacting Branch 01 on 80 m Phone and CW plus 40 m Phone and CW, etc.
Enter the callsigns claimed for the branch point contacts above in the appropriate
columns in summary sheets two and three. Then total the columns to get the
number of Branch points for summary sheet one.
15.2.2 Only one station from a branch may be claimed as a Branch point for a
mode on one band. However, where a Branch has more than one station active
different stations contacted may be claimed for the other band or mode.
15.2.3 Stations using the same Branch number may contact each other for
contact points but not for Branch points.
15.2.4 To qualify as Branch points for other stations, a field station must
have a minimum of 50 contacts on Phone or 25 contacts on CW on each band that
the station is active on. e.g. if active on 80 m Phone, must have 50 contacts to
count as one Branch point, if active on 80 m Phone and CW, must have 50 contacts
on phone and 25 contacts on CW to count as two Branch points, etc.
16. Logs
16.1 One log per station in order of time, except that where
simultaneous operation is used one log per band is required.
16.2 Head each page with the call, Branch or HS for home station and the page number.
16.3 Log sheet layout order: date/time/station contacted/CW or
PH/band/cipher sent/cipher received. NZART log sheets are
preferred. Entry in the point's column is not required as totals
are done from a summary, but the point's column can be used for
checking purposes. A total of PH/CW/DX contacts on each page is
useful for counting purposes.
16.4 Use a separate log-sheet per period except that where there are
very few contacts per period, several periods (ruled off between
periods) can be on one sheet. The operator (not log-keeper) must
check the log.
16.5 Highlight or underline each contact claimed as a multiplier.
16.6 Check for accuracy and rule through any duplicate contacts in a period.
17. Scoring Sheets:
17.1 The summary and final score details are to be on the 'Jock White
Memorial Field Day' summary sheets provided to Branch secretaries
each year and also available from NZART HQ and the NZART website
http://www.nzart.org.nz/contests/rules.html
17.2 Summary Sheet 1 contains:
17.2.1 Callsign used Branch name & number or HS for home station
17.2.2 Postal address for certificates and email address for results
17.2.3 Section entered (one only)
17.2.4 Names & Calls of operators/assistants
17.2.5 No. of 80 m phone contacts, No. of 80 m CW contacts, No.
of 80 m overseas contacts
17.2.6 No. of 40 m phone contacts, No. of 40 m CW contacts, No.
of 40 m overseas contacts
17.2.7 Calculation of contact points
17.2.8 Branch points claimed for 80 phone, Branch points claimed
for 80 CW, Branch points claimed for 40 phone, Branch points
claimed for 40 CW, Total Branch points
17.2.9 Total points claimed (contact points x total Branch points)
17.2.10 List transceivers/generator etc/power output
17.2.11 Certification of power output and rule observance by two
operators (except for single operator stations)
17.3 Summary Sheets 2 and 3 contain a table for listing the CALLSIGN
of the station claimed as a Branch point for each branch on each
band and mode. Count the number in each column and transfer the
figure to summary sheet 1.
18. Closing Date: Logs should be posted to reach Stuart Watchman, 33 Brooklyn
Drive, Blenheim, by the Saturday which is 4 weeks after field day Saturday.
e.g. If Field Day is held February 23/24, logs to be received by 24 March
(in a non-leap year). Late logs will not be eligible.
Manager e-mail: clareandstuart@xtra.co.nz
12/12/09