- Event times have changed, and the event has been extended beyond 24 hours. Start time is now 11am EST Saturday and runs through to 4:59pm EST on Sunday. This really stretches things into Monday if you're out camping, although nothing says that you can't leave early.
- Location do not have to remain fixed during the entire event. This could be due to safety, weather, or other considerations. Sensible, especially in the frozen wastelands north of I-10.
- Objectives (previously called bonuses) are now multipliers. More on this below.
- Several objectives have been added, and these are pretty cool. Again, more below.
On to Objectives. How these are used is a little ambiguous from the writing, though I'm sure that it's perfectly clear if you've been doing Ham Contest Math(tm) since 1938. I'll assume the multipliers are additive, since multiplying by 1 gives you the same number back. Also, note that if you don't get at least one multiplier, you could end up with a score of zero?..? Or do you automatically start with a 1 and add multipliers from there? But don't worry, it's no big deal to get at least one, so it's effectively a moot point. Anyway, here they are:
- Operate away from home, x3. Entirely reasonable, kind of the reason for this being a "field day."
- Operate 100% on alternative power, x1. You're not really in the field if you're still on grid power.
- Deploy multiple antennas, x1. Necessary anyway if you're going to work HF and VHF/UHF.
- Make an FM satellite contact x2. Probably not this year, yet again.
- Make a SSB or CW satellite contact, x3. Even harder of a probably not.
- Send or receive at least one Winlink email, x1. Very sensible from an emcomm point of view.
- Copy the WFD Special bulletin, x1. Also fits with the emcomm theme, and very cool.
- Operate on at least six different bands, x6. This is huge! Something of a challenge too. I wish it was incremental, i.e., add one multiplier for each band worked. OTOH, putting in the 6 bands = x6 step function puts some heat and challenge on the operators, so that makes sense.
- Use multiple modes, x2. Voice, CW, or digital, pick any at least two. Gets an operator out of a rut.
- Operate QRP, x4. I've done it before, and it is a worthwhile challenge. However if I'm going to work any VHF/UHF in the woods of north FL, QRO is the only path forward.
- Operate six continuous hours during the event, x2. Show that you've got the butt power to stick with the radio in a real emergency! Bathroom breaks are not mentioned in this, so set up with a convenient bush within radio operator earshot.
As for Category, it's effectively the number of operators or the number of radios, whichever is lower. This opens up the possibility of dedicating the FT-710 for HF, while a re-programmed FT-857d is set to scan calling frequencies on 6m, 2m, & 70cm. Having a dedicated VHF/UHF scanning radio massively increases the probability of contacts on those bands. It's something that I'll have to explore in the coming months. OTOH, this may end up being a club event and there could be several operators. We'll see. Single or multiple ops though, either way a VHF/UHF scanning radio is probably going to happen.
The other intriguing miscellaneous rule is that (and I quote) QSOs (i.e. contacts) may be solicited during the event only over RF. This seems to imply that rounding up friends on the local repeater to make simplex contacts for contest points is legal. Unless otherwise informed, I'm going with this. Similarly, if you're having a contact on 2m and ask if the other person wants to try 6m, that seems OK too.
Anyway, lots to look forward to here. I hope the weather cooperates this year! I've worked WFD from home (2018, 2022, learned something each time), and I've worked WFD from a sealed-up tent while a passing cold front raged outside (2020, packed & hiked out in pouring rain), but the best way is to have sunshine with lows of 40F and highs of 60F for the weekend. We'll see.
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