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HFpack Shootout 2003
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The HFpack Shootout 2003 is sponsored by
HFpack and open to all amateur radio operators.
HFpack is dedicated to furthering the state of the art
for HF Portable.
http://www.hfpack.com

On Saturday 18 October 2003, HFpack will hold the
3rd annual HFpack Shootout at USA's west coast ham
convention "Pacificon" in San Ramon, California.
The purpose of the shootout is to measure signal
strength of pedestrian and human mobile HF systems
on 18MHz and 5MHz in a controlled manner and report
the results as a service to radio operators around the
world. Participation and entry in the shootout is open
and free to all radio amateurs.

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New for 2003: Complete Systems Shootout
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Unlike previous years where only the antennas were
tested, the HFpack Shootout 2003 tests complete
backpack and human mobile systems on
18MHz and 5MHz in several power and type categories.

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Entrant Information Required:
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1) Entrant Operator Name and Callsign
2) Entrant Team Name
3) Category(s) and Band(s) of Entry
4) Description of transmitter
5) Description of antenna system
6) Description of power source
7) Description of other equipment used
8) Polarization (Horizontal or Vertical)
9) Measured power output of transmitter
10) Measured height of antenna system
11) Measured diameter of antenna system

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Basic Shootout Description
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1) A circle 10 meters (33ft) in diameter in an open area
shall be clearly marked. The entrant operator, antenna
system and equipment shall be within this circle during
the RF measurement.

2) The entrant operator's voice transmission shall be
measured in decibels of peak RF signal strength by a
nearby test receiver, connected to a vertical and a
horizontal antenna. The operator shall make a brief
transmission for the Shootout test receiver engineer
to verify best polarization.

3) The entrant operator shall make three voice
transmissions and the Shootout test receiver engineer
shall make 3 corresponding RF signal strength
measurements. The maximum and minimum
measurements shall not be used. The medium (median)
measurement shall be recorded as the final
measurement of the entrant.

4) The RF measurements shall be made on amateur
frequencies designated by the Shootout engineer
within the 18MHz and the 5MHz bands.

5) An entrant may separately enter any or all
categories and frequency bands.

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Entrant Requirements and Guidelines
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1) The entrant operator shall check in, weigh in the
equipment, and demonstrate the ability to move about
freely while carrying all equipment and antenna system.
The entrant's transmitter output power into a 50ohm
dummy load shall be measured by the Shootout
engineer.

2) The entrant operator shall carry and support the full
weight of all equipment and antenna system during the
RF measurements; however, a single wire or cable
dragging counterpoise attached to the radio equipment
with a maximum total length of 10 meters in a single
direction and a maximum cross section of 1 centimeter
may be touching, dragging, or laying on the surface
upon which the operator is walking or standing.
This counterpoise wire shall not be attached to a
ground rod or imbedded in the ground, or in any way
elevated above the surface of the earth by fixed objects
on the ground.

3) The entrant's antenna system shall not exceed a
total height of 10 meters above the surface level upon
which the operator is walking or standing, and the
entire weight of the antenna shall be carried by the
operator during the RF measurements.

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Category 1 = Pedestrian 100W Class
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1) The output power of the Category 1 entrant
operator's transmitter shall not exceed 100 Watts PEP.

2) The total weight of the Category 1 entrant operator's
transmitting equipment shall not exceed 20 kilograms
(44 pounds), inclusive of transmitter, antenna system,
all wires, cables, backpack/cases, microphone, and
power supply.

3) Only the entrant operator's body may be used to
support the equipment; no monopod, tripod, wheeled
support, or other support device shall be used to hold
up the equipment or the antenna system.


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Category 2 = Pedestrian 10W Class
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1) The output power of the Category 2 entrant
operator's transmitter shall not exceed 10 Watts PEP.

2) The weight of the Category 2 entrant's equipment
is not limited.

3) Only the entrant operator's body may be used to
support the equipment; no monopod, tripod, wheeled
support, or other support device shall be used to hold
up the equipment or the antenna system.

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Category 3 = Human Mobile 100W Class
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1) A Human Mobile is considered to be any wheeled
vehicle, craft, device, cart, skates, wagon, bicycle,
tricycle, quadracycle, scooter, or carrier which is
powered for movement solely by human energy.

2) The output power of the Category 3 entrant
operator's transmitter shall not exceed 100 Watts PEP.

3) The weight of the Category 3 entrant's equipment
is not limited.

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Differently-Abled Notes
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1) Differently-abled operators may enter any category
of their choice, exempt from requirements of support
of equipment, and may utilize any type of body support
assistance including but not limited to: walkers, canes,
crutches, motorized wheelchair, other assisted devices,
or the assistance of another person for carrying
equipment.

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Shootout Notes
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1) The general public, amateur radio operators,
volunteer witnesses, and others may be present to view
the Shootout. All entrants should conduct themselves
in the spirit of friendly cooperation.

2) Other guidelines may be posted or verbally
announced or personally advised at the Shootout by
the organizers to comply with local laws and regulations.

3) In the unlikely event of confusion or dispute, a panel
of three HFpack members chosen by the HFpack
members present at the shootout will attempt to resolve
the issue in an amicable manner.

4) The results of the HFpack Shootout 2003 will be
announced on the HFpack website and a report will
be issued documenting the entrant systems.

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End of message
HFpack
http://www.hfpack.com