[PPRAANet] Field Day - Comments needed

[Dan Scott]

Hello all,

As I review the Field Day rules, the idea of running A3 keeps popping 
into my head.
Why A3?
There are 3 modes of operation each considered a different "band" even 
when operating in the same band.  The modes are:
 -  Phone  (one point per contact)
 -  CW  (two points per contact)
 -  Digital (non-CW) (two points per contact)
The goal of Field Day is to make as many contacts/points as possible in 
the allotted time.
The primary purpose of Field Day is making sure we are ready to operate, 
in the field, during emergency situations.  With this in mind, and based 
on recent ARES reflector messages, there is a need for digital emergency 
communications.  Field Day would be a great place to both introduce (or 
re-introduce) and practice various digital modes.  I would like to see 
us add a digital station to our Field Day, but that's only my opinion. 

A3 would provide a technical problem with interference.  Or, to look at 
it another way, it provides a challenge which may be encountered during 
an emergency.  With A3 (Phone, CW, Digital, and GOTA) it is possible, 
and withing the rules, that each transmitter can be on the same band 
(ex:  all on 40-meters)

What is your opinion of operating A3 during Field Day this year?

Thanks and 73,
   Dan
      KB0PPM