Who Can Be A W1AW/9 Portable Approved Operator?

Approved operators must use a logging program capable of creating an ADIF file (ie. N1MM+, N3FJP). Immediately following each activation W1AW/9 operators are to submit an ADIF or Cabrillo format log to LoTW (Logbook of the World).

W1AW Portable VOTA operators are expected to observe all FCC regulations, including operating on frequencies allocated to their license class and at permitted power levels.

An interactive map, created by Bill Mitchell AE0EE, of all portable W1AW registrations in this system, is available at this link.

Select Your Band/Day/Mode

To select a day/mode/band slot starting time, make your selections from the dropdown boxes and click the submit button.

UTC Date: 2023-12-132023-12-132023-12-142023-12-152023-12-162023-12-172023-12-18 Mode: PhoneCWDigital Band: 1608040201510621.25.7.33.23.13.05.03

Display Slots Selected By Callsign

Select Callsign: AK9RK9LZJK9SVLK9UOKK9WXKD9MEQKJ9BN9TTKWA9BDWO9G

Display Slots Selected By Day

UTC Date: 2023-12-132023-12-132023-12-142023-12-152023-12-162023-12-172023-12-18

Portable W1AW Operation

As a part of the ARRL Year of the Volunteer celebration, the mystical callsign W1AW will be operating from the corners of ARRL-land. ARRL members in each state/territory will be approved to operate their stations during two different weeks using the callsign W1AW/x where x is one of the local regions: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, KL, KH0, KH2, KH6, KH7, KH8, KP2, KP3, or KP4. For example, Indiana’s second week starts 2023-12-13, at 0000z and will run through 2023-12-18, at 2359z, using the callsign W1AW/9.

Each state coordinator will approve start time, band, and mode slots throughout the week and hams will be able to operate their stations using W1AW/9.

Portable W1AW Rules

• Each operator must follow the rules for their own license class. Stay in the sub-bands that you are legally allowed to operate.
• Operators can operate anywhere in the state/territory.
• ARRL members that contact the Portable W1AW stations will receive 5 points in the VOTA event.
• Each band/mode combination can be activated simultaneously. For example, N5OP could be working on 20 M SSB, N5OK could be working on 20 M CW, N5AZQ could be working on 20 M FT8, and N5HZR could be on 40 M SSB, all at the same time.
• State operations start at 0000z each Wednesday and stop at 2359z the following Tuesday.
• Operations are not allowed on the 12 M, 17 M, 30 M, 60 M, 630 M, or 2190 M bands.
• All logs for the week must be consolidated into one ADIF file. Email your completed logs to ak9r@arrl.org within 48 hours of your final time slot.
• Each state W1AW coordinator, in Indiana that is Bob Burns AK9R will make a schedule to optimize the on-air time for those interested in running the callsign. This page is the Indiana schedule.

When you sign up for a two-hour slot, you will also select a band and mode. Signing up for CW on 20m is one slot, phone and digital modes are two additional slots.

Taking a slot on 40m CW does not mean you may use any mode on 40m. You may only use the designated band and mode for the time period you requested. You may request multiple slots throughout the week.

Interested in operating an additional two-hour slot? Request that slot here before you start operating. Once you have been approved to operate by the state coordinator, you are ready to go.

Only one operator per band/mode at a time. Two operators may not share a slot. ie. W1AW/9 running CW on 7.022 and another station running W1AW/9 CW on 7.080 is not permitted.

Operators may not arbitrarily change bands or operate in a band/mode slot that has not been scheduled and approved here. Example: you’re scheduled for a slot on 20 meter SSB and propagation is poor. You may not QSY to 40 meter SSB.

Suggested W1AW/9 Operating frequencies:

• 160 meters CW 1820 khz, SSB 1845 khz
• 80 meters CW 3550, SSB 3850
• 40 meters CW 7050, SSB 7225
• 20 meters CW 14050, SSB 14275
• 15 meters CW 21050, SSB 21325
• 10 meters CW 28050, SSB 28350

NCDXF/IARU HF Beacons operate on the following frequencies: 14100, 18110, 21150, 24930 and 28200

DO NOT transmit within 5 kilohertz above or below these beacons.

It is strongly recommended that you monitor and check these beacons a couple of days before your scheduled operation and immediately prior to operating. The beacons are very effective tools for checking propagation.

For information on Volunteers on the Air click: https://www.arrl.org/volunteers-on-the-air

Special copy of announcements the SSB phone operators are to be read on the air promoting VOTA activity. Copy will be sent to all phone ops As special Facebook page/group has been set up to spot announce current operating modes and frequencies, and solicit feedback, comments a pictures from the folks W1AW portable operations work that Facebook group is "W1AW VOTA OPERATING EVENT".

When you sign up for a two-hour slot start time, you are also selecting a band and a mode. Signing up for CW on 20m is one slot, phone and digital modes are two other slots.

Taking a slot on 40m CW does not mean you may use any mode on 40m. You may only use the band and mode you have been allocated, for the time period you requested. You may request multiple slots throughout the week.

Do you want to run another two-hour slot? Request that slot here before you start operating. Once you have been approved to operate by the state coordinator, you are ready to go.

We only allow one operator per band and mode at a time. Two operators can not share a slot. ie. W1AW/9 running CW on 7.022 and another station running W1AW/9 CW on 7.042 would be a violation of our agreement.

If you have any questions, please contact Indiana State Coordinator Bob Burns AK9R at ak9r@arrl.org.