[CQ-Contest] FD Class - Power multiplier

[Zack Widup]

I don't think this is a critical factor. Considering that Field Day
originally was supposed to be a simulation of emergency field portable
operations, in a real emergency you most likely would be starting out
with a fresh battery charged on commercial mains. What would be
significant is how the battery could be charged during the actual
emergency operations. This is the real, practical application of the
purpose. So in this case the important factor would be how to charge
the battery during the time period of the actual operation.

A weak analogy is the scheduling that is permitted by ANY means before
an actual ARRL VHF contest starts. Once the contest starts, scheduling
is permitted only by amateur radio means.

73, Zack W9SZ


On 6/20/13, Robert Chudek - K0RC <k0rc at citlink.net> wrote:
> So the obvious question is... how was the battery initially charged
> before it was brought to Field Day and put into service?
>
> Was it sitting in your garage on a trickle charger during the prior week
> (i.e., charged from commercial mains)?
>
> Or was it fresh from the 'Batteries-R-Us' in a sealed carton, delivered
> with a full charge? So then the question is how was it charged by the
> manufacturer?
>
> To meet the 'letter of the rules' it appears you need to buy a dry
> battery, pour in the electrolyte, and charge it up using solar or your
> private wind generated electrical source.
>
> 73 de Bob - KØRC in MN
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> On 6/20/2013 2:05 PM, Art Boyars wrote:
>> Going to the source, the Rules on the ARRL web site:
>>
>> "6.9. Batteries may be charged while in use. Except for Class D stations
>> [i.e., home stations], the batteries must be charged from a power source
>> other than commercial power mains. To claim the power multiplier of five,
>> the batteries must be charged from something other than a motor driven
>> generator or commercial mains."
>>
>> So you may charge the battery while in use, but not from the mains.  If
>> you
>> charge from a motor-driven alternator or generator you lose the 5x
>> battery
>> mult, but I guess you remain in the battery Class.  Battery Classes are
>> also limited to 5W.  "Other terms and conditions may apply"
>>
>> "You could look it up." --  C. Stengel.
>>
>> 73, Art K3KU
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