[W1SMH] GOTA clarification

[Joseph.Agius@sybase.com]

Hi All,

To clear up the point I brought up at the meeting last evening, I am
including the FAQ (Frequently asked questions) from the ARRL
web site under the field day rules.  The FAQ is an explanation of the
official rules in plain language.

The GOTA portion refers to the rules
section 4.1.1.1 which also states that a different call must be used fo=
r
the GOTA other than the Field day primary call.  This says that
W1SMH cannot be used for both the GOTA station and the primary field da=
y
call.

The bold section below (close to the end of the FAQs, refers to rules
4.1.1.2 on what "generally inactive hams" means and the fact
that seasoned hams do not operate the GOTA station.

You can find the complete package at the following URL under Field Day =
2002
about half way down the page.


http://www.arrl.org/contests/forms/


as "2002 Field Day Package (All forms, sheets, rules, info):"


GOTA Station FAQs (from Field Day 2002 package)

Q. What is the GOTA station?
A. It is an opportunity for Novice, Technician, Technician Plus license=
es,
other generally inactive licensees, and non-licensed
persons to experience first-hand the fun of amateur radio by allowing t=
hem
to GET ON THE AIR.

Q. How many GOTA stations may a club have on the air?
A. Only one GOTA station may be on the air at any given time. Remember =
that
a transmitter is considered to be on the air for a
fifteen-minute period once it first transmits. If the club has a GOTA
station on VHF, it may not also have a GOTA station on an HF
band simultaneously.

Q. What are the bands for the GOTA station?
A. The GOTA station may be operated on any amateur band on which Field =
Day
is permitted. Operation may be on either HF or
VHF.

Q. What modes and frequencies may the GOTA station use?
A. The modes and frequencies are determined by the person in control of=
 the
GOTA station when it is in operation. If the person
has a valid amateur radio license and is the control operator, they may=

operate on any band and mode permitted by their license. If
the person does not have license privileges for the specific band and/o=
r
mode where the station is to be operated, there must be a
control operator permitted to use the frequencies and modes desired in
direct control of the GOTA station at that time.

Q. What callsign does the GOTA station use?
A. The GOTA station uses a callsign separate from the call being used b=
y
the main group Field Day operation. Remember that you
must have permission of the holder of the callsign in order to use it f=
or
the GOTA station. Also remember the rules of station
identification. A two-by-three call issued to a Technician licensee may=
 be
used, but if the call is being used outside of the privileges
of the licensee, it must also include the callsign of the control opera=
tor
(WA4QQN/N1ND for example).

Q. Who may the GOTA station contact?
A. The GOTA station may contact any other amateur radio station, with a=

couple of exceptions. The GOTA station may not work its
own parent Field Day station. It may not contact any station operated b=
y a
person who was involved with their group' s Field Day
operation. Also, remember that if a DX station is involved, the FCC rul=
es
involving Third Party participation may come into play.

Q. What is considered a generally inactive licensee?
A. The GOTA station is not for everyone. The intent and the spirit of t=
his
station is to provide an opportunity for persons to gain
valuable on-the-air experience. This is not a station that a club "ring=
er"
should operate in order to rack up points. The list of
operators of this station must be submitted with the Field Day entry . =
A
couple of guidelines to keep in mind when allowing
persons to operate the GOTA station:
1) If the GOTA station operates on HF bands, a licensee who has never m=
ade
HF contacts would be considered inactive.
2) If the GOTA station operates either HF or VHF/UHF, someone who has m=
ade
no QSOs in the last two years would be
considered inactive.
3) A person who operated the GOTA station as a generally inactive licen=
see
this year would not be eligible to operate the GOTA
station in the following Field Day.
Any operator of the GOTA station is limited to completing a maximum of =
100
QSOs of the 400 total QSO limit. The club/group must
provide a list of operators and the number of QSOs each operator makes =
at
the GOTA station. Clubs should use their judgement
in determining the operators of the GOTA station.

Q. May someone operate both the GOTA and main Field Day stations?
A. It is permissible for someone to operate both GOTA and the main
stations. However, remember that to use the GOTA station,
you must meet the requirements of license class, be generally inactive,=
 or
a non-licensed person. It would not be permissible for a  seasoned oper=
ator
to operate the GOTA station.

Q. May a non-licensed person operate the GOTA station?
A. A non-licensed person may participate in the GOTA station by speakin=
g
into the microphone, sending CW, but may do so only
under the direct supervision of a properly licensed control operator.



Joe
W1TW













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