Glendora Emergency Response Communications

Field Day 2004 On-Air Operating Procedures

Training Document

Adapted from Field Day Primer by John L. Gaffey, WS1E

The object during Field Day operation is to log valid contacts with as many other stations as possible during the allowed operating period. A valid contact requires exchanging callsigns and additional information consisting of the station's operating class and their International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Section. The IARU is composed of North and South America including Hawaii,Johnston and Midway Is.
The class is composed of a number and a letter. The number signifies the total number of transmitters operated. “A” is a club or group of 3 or more amateurs operating portable with emergency power (generator, battery, etc.). “B” is used by one or two people operating portable with emergency power. Class A and B stations have a subcategory, Battery, where operation is QRP (less than 5 Watts) and entirely from batteries. “C” is used by mobile stations. “D” is used by home stations operating from their normal commercial power source. “E” is a home station operating with emergency power.

The class in which GERC will operate during the 2004 Field Day will be determined a few weeks before the event. For the purposes of the example exchanges that follow, the value 4 alpha is used for the group, and 3 Alpha is used for the other station (AB4NC).

The class information is followed by the section, which for GERC operation is “Los Angeles” or “LAX” Many states have more than one ARRL section, so it is a good idea to have a list of the sections and their common abbreviations handy at the operating position.

Typical Contacts

On phone, in response to hearing another stations "CQ," you respond with the full callsign W6LDS being used by GERC for Field Day. If the station you call hears you, he will respond giving your callsign and his exchange information. You enter the information in the log and respond with your exchange information including callsign. A typical "search and pounce" contact would go as follows:

He calls: "CQ Field Day Alpha Bravo Four November Charlie."

You would respond: "Whiskey Six Lima Delta Sierra, W6LDS."

He answers with "W6LDS Three Alpha North Carolina."

You complete your part with "Four Alpha Los Angeles, W6LDS."

He confirms and moves on..."Roger, QRZ Alpha Bravo Four November Charlie."

When "running" a frequency (staying on the same frequency and calling CQ, roles are reversed from the above and would go like this:

You make a general call "CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day Whiskey Six Lima Delta Sierra."

You listen...and hear "W6LDS here is Alpha Bravo Four November Charlie."

You respond: "Alpha Bravo Four November Charlie Four Alpha Los Angeles."

He answers: "Three Alpha North Carolina" or "Three Alpha North Carolina AB4NC." You confirm and move on "Roger, QRZ Whiskey Six Lima Delta Sierra."

You listen, and if no one answers, repeat "CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day Whiskey Six Lima Delta Sierra."

ARRL Field Day Rules

ARRL Website