- the name and address of the person responsible for the entry
- Section to be entered
- name of group
- callsign to be used
- National Grid Reference (eg. SX 690804)
- sufficient access information to enable an inspector to locate the site
- No separate receiver for the CW reader is permitted (i.e. the CW reader must be driven from a permitted transceiver)
- A maximum receiver bandwidth of 3kHz is permitted, which must be the same frequency range that the operator can hear. There must be no connection between the CW reader and the contest logging software: callsigns and serial numbers must still be typed in by hand
- an overall antenna length allowance of 120m of wire, out of which all antennas used during the contest must be made
- the wire used must be of a diameter not exceeding 14swg or equivalent (excluding insulation). However where masts, towers or trap verticals are used as antenna elements, this diameter restriction does not apply.
RSGB CW National Field Day
Main rule change for 2016 -- Log deadline is now 7 days.
This is an excellent club activity with varied areas of expertise required, such as antenna design, construction and erection, generator maintenance and, increasingly, computer expertise. Give your CW operators some support!
The QRP Section is limited to 12 hours of operation. This should assist groups who have difficulty in finding operators to cover the full 24 hours.
Pre-registration for Field Day is not an absolute requirement, but clubs are encouraged to do so, in order to qualify for awards.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers, with associated diagrams, is available.
1. Basic Information
The General Rules apply to this contest except where superseded by the rules below
Date: 4 - 5 June 2016 (the first full weekend in June).
2. Registration
Time: 15:00 – 15:00 UTC
Bands: 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21 & 28MHz.
Mode: CW
Exchange: RST + Serial number.
Special Contest Call Signs (SCC) are not permitted in this contest,
even for entrants who hold a valid NoV from OFCOM.
| a) | In order that inspections can be arranged, each group intending to compete must provide, by no later than 8 May 2016, details of the site to be used. Registration is performed on-line at http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/nfdregister.pl. Details must include: | ||
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| b) | All stations are subject to inspection by representatives of the RSGB Contest Committee, whose brief will be to ensure that the rules and spirit of the contest are being observed. The inspector must be given immediate access to the site and may make return visits. To allow an inspector to find a new site in the event of a late change, the adjudicator will email registered entrants before the contest with a telephone number which can be used to notify the changed QTH and access details. Groups not registering may take part in Field Day but will not be eligible for awards. | ||
| c) | A list of entrants who have registered may be seen here. | ||
3. Site
The following rules apply to the site used:
| a) | The Site is defined as the place within which all equipment comprising the station (including tents, generators, aerials and supports, etc.) is situated. It is defined to be circle of 500m radius, centred on the location of the transmitter(s). | |
| b) | Entrants must operate from the same site for the whole contest. | |
| c) | Stations must not be located in a permanent building or shelter | |
| d) | No permanent building or structure may be used as an aerial support (trees are acceptable). | |
| e) | Power must be obtained solely from on-site batteries, portable generators or solar cells, without use of public mains | |
| f) | All equipment directly associated with operating in the contest (including radios, tents/caravans, generators, aerials and supports, etc.) must be set up on site no more than 24 hours before the start of the contest | |
| g) | Equipment may be stored on site outside this 24 hour period. However all equipment directly associated with operating in the contest that is on the site more than 32 hours before the start of the contest must be removed beyond the boundary of the site and brought back on within a period of not more than 32 hours before the start of the contest. | |
| h) | Equipment such as caravans & towers permanently resident on site that are to be directly associated with operating in the contest must be removed & returned as set out in 3(g) above | |
| i) | Entrants who may have difficulty in complying with the requirements of 3(g) and 3(h), for reasons such as physical infirmity, should consult the Contest Committee | |
| j) | All portable stations are required to sign /P when taking part in this contest notwithstanding the licence regulations making the use of the /P suffix optional |
4. Sections
There are 3 sections:
a) Openb) Restricted (which is split into two Categories, Restricted-Complex and Restricted-Simple)
c) QRP
Detailed rules are shown in paragraphs 4a - 4d. However a summary is shown in the table below.
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OPEN |
RESTRICTED |
QRP |
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Power O/P |
100W |
100W |
5W |
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Rigs |
Maximum of 2 transceivers, 1 radiated signal |
Restricted - Complex: Maximum of 2 transceivers, 1 radiated
signal |
Maximum of 1 transceiver |
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CW reader |
Yes (no dedicated RX) |
Yes (no dedicated RX) |
Yes (no dedicated RX) |
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On site Skimmer |
Yes (dedicated RX permitted) |
Restricted - Complex: Yes (dedicated RX permitted)
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No |
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RBN |
Yes |
No |
No |
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Cluster |
Yes |
No |
No |
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Antennas |
No limit on type or number of antennas subject to 22m maximum height |
Restricted - Complex
No limit on number of antennas subject to a total element length of 120m No limit on number of antenna supports within a maximum 22m of “mastage” No limit on antenna height within the 22m maximum No beams Restricted - Simple Single element antenna, maximum length 120m Maximum 2 elevated points Maximum height 11m
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Single element antenna, maximum length 120m Maximum 2 elevated points Maximum height 11m
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Paragraph 4a lists rules that apply to all Sections. Paragraphs 4b - 4d list rules that are Section specific.
| 4(a) All Sections |
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| i) | Multi operator operation is permitted in all Sections, but some variations are made to this term as defined in the HF General Rules. | |||
| ii) | The rules in paragraph 4 assume the use of transceivers rather than separate receivers and transmitters. However use of separates is permitted – entrants intending to use them should contact the Contest Committee for guidance on interpretation of the rig rules | |||
| iii) | CW Skimmer-like technology (eg. MixW) is permitted as a CW reader to allow non-CW literate operators to participate, subject to the following: | |||
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| 4(b) Open Section | ||||
| i) | Operation for the full 24 hours is permitted | |||
| ii) | A maximum power of 100W at the output of the transmitter(s) is permitted | |||
| iii) | A maximum of 2 transceivers is permitted, but only one signal may be radiated at a time | |||
| iv) | Use of on-site CW Skimmer as an aid to seeking QSOs is permitted, and a dedicated receiver in addition to the permitted transceivers may be used for this purpose. This is distinct from the use of Skimmer-like technology as an aid for non-CW literate operators, as set out in 4(a)(iii) | |||
| v) | Use of public internet based assistance such as RBN or DX Cluster is permitted. Private off-site assistance is prohibited by rule 3(a) | |||
| vi) | Antennas are subject to rule 3 above, otherwise there is no restriction on the number and type of antennas or supports, except that the maximum height of any support or part of any antenna must not exceed 22m. | |||
| 4(c) Restricted Section | ||||
| i) | Operation for the full 24 hours is permitted | |||
| ii) | A maximum power of 100W at the output of the transmitter(s) is permitted | |||
| iii) | In the Restricted - Complex Category, a maximum of 2
transceivers is permitted, but only one signal may be radiated at a time. In the Restricted - Simple Category, only a single transmitter is permitted |
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| iv) | In the Restricted - Complex Category, use of on-site
CW Skimmer as an aid to seeking QSOs is permitted, and a dedicated
receiver in addition to the permitted transceivers may be used for
this purpose. This is distinct from the use of Skimmer-like
technology as an aid for non-CW literate operators, as set out in 4(a)(iii). In the Restricted - Simple Category, use of on-site CW Skimmer as an aid to seeking QSOs is not permitted, However, the use of Skimmer-like technology as an aid for non-CW literate operators, as set out in 4(a)(iii) is permitted |
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| v) | Use of public internet based assistance such as RBN or DX Cluster is not permitted. Private off-site assistance is prohibited by rule 3(a) | |||
| vi) | Beam antennas are not permitted | |||
| vii) | In the Restricted - Complex Category, with the exception of beam antennas which are not permitted, there is no restriction on the type or number of antennas, subject to the following: | |||
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| viii) | In the Restricted - Simple Category, only one antenna is permitted. This must be a single element with a length no greater than 120m: note that traps and stubs are permitted, but a "fan of dipoles" is not permitted. | |||
| ix) | In the Restricted - Complex Category, there is no restriction on the number of antenna supports, subject to a maximum antenna support allowance of 22m. An entrant's antenna support usage (ie. the amount of antenna support actually deployed within the 22m allowance) is the sum of the individual contributions from all masts, towers and trees used to support antennas. | |||
| x) | In the Restricted - Simple Category, no more than two elevated supports are permitted, and may not exceed 11m above ground at the highest point | |||
| xi) | Use of buildings as supports is already forbidden by 3(d) | |||
| xii) | Strings and halyards are not included in the antenna support usage. | |||
| Further information on the way in which the above items contribute to the antenna support usage is given on the FAQ page. | ||||
| 4(d) QRP Section | ||||
| i) | Operating is permitted for a maximum of 12 hours. Off-periods must be a minimum of one hour and should be listed on the summary sheet or soapbox lines of the Cabrillo header | |||
| ii) | A maximum power of 5W at the output of the transmitter is permitted | |||
| iii) | A single transceiver is permitted | |||
| iv) | With the exception of aid for non CW literate operators as set out in 4a above, use of on-site CW skimmer is not permitted | |||
| v) | Use of public internet based assistance such as RBN or DX Cluster is not permitted. Private off-site assistance is prohibited by rule 3(a) | |||
| vi) | Only one antenna is permitted. This must be a single element with a length no greater than 120m, having not more than two elevated supports and not exceeding 11m above ground at its highest point. Note that traps & stubs are permitted but a “fan of dipoles” is not. | |||
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5. Operators |
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| a) | Only groups operating from the UK may enter | |||
| b) | Any RSGB member or group of members may enter | |||
| c) | RSGB Affiliated Societies may enter and their operators must be members of the Affiliated Society (AFS) and/or members of the RSGB themselves | |||
| d) | In the case where some operators are AFS members but not RSGB members themselves, a declaration from an officer of the AFS that the operators are members of the society is required with the entry. This must be included in the soapbox part of the entry | |||
| e) | The RSGB membership requirements set out in 5(c) & 5(d) do not apply to visiting amateurs not normally resident in the UK | |||
| 6. Frequencies | ||||
| a) | Where specified in the Band Plan, contest preferred segments must be used, ie 3510 - 3560 and 14000 - 14060kHz. Operators with lower CW speeds may wish to operate around the Band Plan specified QRS centres of activity, ie. 3555, 14055, 21055 & 28055 kHz | |||
| 7. Scoring | ||||
| a) | For contacts with: | |||
| i) | Portable and Mobile stations in Europe (including UK): 4 points. | |||
| ii) | Portable and Mobile stations outside Europe: 6 points. | |||
| iii) | Fixed stations in Europe (including UK): 2 points. | |||
| iv) | Fixed stations outside Europe: 3 points | |||
| b) | Contacts on 1.8MHz and 28MHz are scored as above and then multiplied by two to obtain the band score | |||
| c) | Contacts made with a group's own members score zero points and must not be included in the log. | |||
| 8. Logs | ||||
| a) | Online entries must be submitted to the robot within 7 days of the end of the contest in accordance with the General Rules . Disk and online entries must be in Cabrillo format. | |||
| Example of CW Field Day Contest log. | ||||
| 9. Awards | ||||
| a) | The National Field Day Trophy to the overall leading station. | |||
| b) | The Bristol Trophy to the station having the leading score in the other 24 hour Section. | |||
| c) | The Reading Trophy to the leading station in the QRP Section. | |||
| d) | The Scottish Trophy to the leading Scottish station. | |||
| e) | The Gravesend Trophy to the runner-up in the Restricted Section. | |||
| f) | The G6ZR Memorial Trophy to the runner-up in the Open Section. | |||
| g) | The Frank Hoosen, G3YF, Trophy to the leading station on the 14MHz band. | |||
| h) | Certificates of Merit to the band leaders in the Open and QRP Sections. | |||
| i) | Certificates of Merit to the band leaders in Restricted - Complex and Restricted - Simple Categories of the Restricted Section. | |||
| j) | Certificates of Merit to the leading station in the Open & QRP Sections. | |||
| k) | Certificates of Merit to the leading Restricted - Complex and Restricted - Simple Category stations in the Restricted Section. | |||
| l) | Certificates for the non-UK station in each continent whose check log shows the most points contributed to UK stations. | |||