QRP TO THE FIELD (QRPTTF)
Theme: “Happy Trails”
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2013
QRPTTF is an annual event to encourage QRPers to get out of the house and operate portable “from the field,” and of course, have fun. You can find a nice operating location for yourself, or combine it with some buddies for a day-long or evening campout. QRPTTF encourages participation by hams of all skill levels. CW speeds are usually in the 13-18 wpm range. QRPTTF is administered solely through the QRP-L reflector (with announcements posted to the SOTA reflector).
Theme: This year's theme is “Happy Trails” – that is, operating from or near an historic trail. About every community has an historic trail or two … from the biggies like Route 66 or the Santa Fe Trail, to a local old wagon trail, mining or lumber road. About all railroad lines, active or abandoned, are old trails. Many historic trails run through national, state or local parks or campgrounds. It does not have to be a registered National Historic Trail. Do that Google thing or ask your local Historical Society if you're drawing a blank. Many old historic trails are also today's super highways (like Route 66, the Lincoln Highway, etc.); we don't expect you to operate from an Interstate junction! Find a nice operating spot within a couple miles if you can to ensure your safety. Other old trails are today's rural roads leading to abandoned mines, lumber mills, a mountain campground, lookout tower, or your favorite fishing hole. Or, of course, like the Appalachian or Continental Divide trails (come in, Ron!). Honestly, you don't have to look far, and you might learn a little local history along the way.
SOTA Stations (Summits On The Air) will be joining us again. This does not change the QRPTTF event – just gives us all more stations to work and earn points. You'll know them from that weird exchange (like W5/MG011 – the summit ID). SOTA stations count as any QRPTTF contact, except each summit worked is added to your SPCs, and SOTA stations are the X3 (Trail) multiplier.
SOTA OPS: Please include your SPC in the exchange with QRPTTF stations. TNX.
Field Operation Class and Multipliers
X1Home - if you operate from your home using fixed antennas.
X2Field- if you operate "in the field" from other than the “trail” theme or your back yard.
X3Trail - if you operate from or near an historic trail, or a SOTA station.
RULES:
When:Saturday, April 27, 2013, 1500Z April 28 thru 0300Z April 29
East Coast Time: 1100 – 2300 EDT (UTC –4 hrs)
Mid-west Time: 1000 – 2200 CDT (UTC –5 hrs)
Mountain Time: 0900 – 2100 MDT (UTC –6 hrs)
Left Coast Time: 0800 – 2000 PDT (UTC –7 hrs)
End times extended slightly for those preferring to use 80/40M in the evening by request.
Work whatever time period you are comfortable with. 4-6 hours is average.
Modes:While primarily a CW contest, SSB may also be used this year.
If working both modes, submit a separate CW and SSB log.
Where: CW QRP watering holes: 3560, 7030/7040, 7110-7120, 14060, 21060, 28060 KHz
SSB QRP frequencies: 3985, 7285, 14285, 21385, 28885 KHz
CQ:“CQ TTF” is the accepted CQ for QRPTTF
Exchange:
QRPTTF Station: RST, SPC, Name example: 599 OH Jake
SOTA Station: RST, SPC, SOTA ID example: 599 CO WØ/FR-004 (=Pikes Peak, CO)
SPC = State/Province/Country
Scoring:
Per band: Number of SPCs plus SOTA summits worked, times number of QSOs per band.
For clarity: if you work a SOTA station in UT, it counts as a UT SPC + a SOTA station.
QSO points:ADD scores for each band for QSO points
Total Score: QSO points TIMES Multiplier
Multipliers:x1 home station
x2 QRPTTF “Field” station
x3 QRPTTF “Trail” station
See the 2013 QRPTTF Summary Sheet; page 2 is a scoring example.
Questions or comments may be directed to:
or
72, Paul NA5N
Near El Camino Real Trail, old Santa Fe Railroad spur line, the wagon road between Fort Union and Fort Craig, and the first Ocean-to-Ocean Highway (now U.S. 60).
Just for completeness …
Happy Trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy Trails to you, keep smiling 'til then
Who cares about the clouds if we're together,
Just sing a song, and bring the sunny weather.
Happy Trails to you, until we meet again.
(You sang along … didn't you?)