Da Shadow wrote:
We will be a 5F station plus GOTA in CA. I have the GOTA station
responsibilities.

GOTA will be on 40M thru 144 MHz. Phone, Data, and some CW (if we can find a
CW op with no HF experience)

Oops, GOTA stations aren't on VHF, Shadow. The rule is:

4.1.1.6. The GOTA station may only operate on the Field Day HF Bands.
Only one transmitted signal is allowed from the GOTA station at any time
(see Field Day rule 4).

So you are pretty much stuck to HF.



400 GOTA QSOs seems a bit high considering we will try and teach newbies how
to operate. I think it is more important to tutor folks on HF and the
digital modes than to run the 400 QSOs. Perhaps we can do both.

It is high. The nice thing about the GOTA is that newbies and the
inexperienced can hone their skills without affecting the more seasoned
operators. My first field day was before the days of GOTA, and I knew
very well that I was holding the score down a bit with my slowness. GOTA
removes that. It's a great way to get started or get back in action.



For the GOTA station we will try PSK31 and RTTY for demo to newbies and of
course to make contacts.

Wonder if the 20M PSK31 segment will be jam packed and contacts will be
feasible ??
Any PSK31 activity besides 20M for FD ???

This will be our first year trying the digital modes.

Any comments on PSK31 during FD ???



PSK31 was a BIG hit last year for us. People are in general, very
receptive to the chat room type atmosphere on PSK31. A person that might
be shy to talk will often be happy to type to another op.

It was also a great way to contribute to the final score, since PSK
contacts are worth 2 points each. I'm glad to see another mode that can
get 2 points per QSO. Actually, I wish that all contacts were 1 point
each. That won't happen for a long time tho'.

PSK activity on 20 meters was pretty decent last year. There was enough
traffic that we just stayed on 20. And by the time the band was finished
for the night, the GOTA station was closed down.

You might try 40, but I've never made a PSK contact there. 80 meters at
night is pretty fair for PSK31, so if you can rig an antenna there, you
should make some QSO's.

- Mike KB3EIA -