[CQ-Contest] FD Class - Power multiplier

[David Gilbert]

Let's get real here.  That entire section refers to batteries being 
charged while in use so none of what you're saying is relevant.

I operated QRP battery operated in Field Day for many, many years, 
charging the battery from the AC mains before the event and charging it 
during the event from a small solar panel.  I typically submitted a 
detailed description of that entire process (complete with pictures of 
the solar panel in action) and never got a sliver of feedback that 
anything I did was improper.  In 2000 K7ZB and I even set what was then 
the all-time record for 1B-2op Battery with 10,000 points, so I assume 
that our entry would have gotten at least a bit of scrutiny.

I see no value in extrapolating such things to the ridiculous.

Dave  AB7E



On 6/20/2013 8:13 PM, Robert Chudek - K0RC 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