[Elecraft] Field Day Question

[George, W5YR]

Dan, I recall reading about this before, and if I am remembering right (?),
ARRL's position is that all alternative power sources, specifically
batteries, can be in "operating condition" at the start of the event. In
the case of solar charging, it is required only that the solar charging
system "maintain" the charge on the batteries during the period of
operation.

I may be wrong, but that is what I remember of their stated position.
Nothing is said about testifying as to the load voltage at the start and
end of the contest, so I guess that is not considered.

I believe that this is the only reasonable position they could take, since
most batteries if not fully charged at the start would require most of the
contest period to become charged from solar cells alone. Which you pointed
out in your posting . . .

If this is all horse-puckey, someone please correct it . . .

72/73/oo, George W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas         
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe   
Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 56th year and it just keeps getting better!
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Dan Barker wrote:
> 
> Sirs:
> 
> I'm considering operating in the 2002 Field Day as a 1B GA or 2B GA station, using my K2 at 5 watts. If I use a solar array, wind turbine or HPG (Human Powered Generator - Bicycle in a stand) charging source and some Lead-Acid batteries, what are the rules concerning the charge state of the batteries at the beginning of the contest?
> 
> For example, if a 100 mW Solar array charges a 25 AH marine battery, and the sun never shines, but I start the weekend with the battery fully charged, I'll make it through just fine. I'll even have enough juice for a desk lamp and a laptop for logging. But is it legal?
> 
> If I must start with a fully discharged battery, I'd need charging capability adequate to get me through the night with only 6 hours of sunlight.
> 
> This answer will greatly affect my engineering of the alternate power, as you might infer. Also, I might need a second operator if we find we need that HPG!
> 
> Dan Barker, WG4S, portable Dade County Georgia - The Top of Lookout Mountain.
> 
> PS: Elecraft list - Ideas? Assistance? Comments?