Narrative:

I believe my taxi instructions were to runway 14 via taxiway A4 to a by the north run up area. As I was taxiing I asked ground if they could get me a squawk code for flight following or did I have to get this airborne. They instructed me to contact TRACON after clearing class D airspace. This happened just prior to the north run up area. I continued to taxi up to and held short of runway 14. I called tower notifying them I was ready for departure. They told me to hold short of runway 14; and I repeated the instructions. Approximately 15 seconds later; I was asked to call the tower due to a taxi deviation I believe. I asked if I could call when I get down. They replied saying no problem at my convenience and then I departed. Apparently; at the northern end there is taxiway H that breaks off from taxiway a to runway 20; taxiway a continues through the glide path of runway 20. This is the rub. After landing at my destination I called the tower as requested with my tail number saying I was asked to call. I talked to one of the controllers on duty. The controller was very nice and up front saying this happens routinely every month due to the inadequate markings and signage. The controller indicated this has been a problem for the last 3 years. They have requested several times that this be addressed in those three 3 years. I also asked if I caused any aircraft deviations and was told no.I believe this issue causing all these deviations every month can be fixed. This problem should be pointed out over the ATIS and ground control personnel should make a point to indicate that the north run up area is also a hold short area for both 20 and 14 runways; until the airport can get proper signage. Unless you fly out of this airport regularly any pilot would have a hard time determining where taxiway a cuts through runway 20-flight path and taxiway H meets up with runway 14 which appears to continue further than it does. Until you pass taxiway H and can see down runway 20 at this point is too late. Additionally I have noticed in the ATIS it indicates which approach is in use but not which runway is in use. This also can cause confusion.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Pilot reported a runway incursion at STS; which was attributed to difficulty differentiating the hold short area from the North run up area.

Narrative: I believe my taxi instructions were to Runway 14 via taxiway A4 to A by the North run up area. As I was taxiing I asked ground if they could get me a squawk code for flight following or did I have to get this airborne. They instructed me to contact TRACON after clearing Class D airspace. This happened just prior to the North run up area. I continued to taxi up to and held short of Runway 14. I called Tower notifying them I was ready for departure. They told me to hold short of Runway 14; and I repeated the instructions. Approximately 15 seconds later; I was asked to call the Tower due to a taxi deviation I believe. I asked if I could call when I get down. They replied saying no problem at my convenience and then I departed. Apparently; at the northern end there is taxiway H that breaks off from Taxiway A to runway 20; Taxiway A continues through the glide path of runway 20. This is the rub. After landing at my destination I called the Tower as requested with my tail number saying I was asked to call. I talked to one of the controllers on duty. The Controller was very nice and up front saying this happens routinely every month due to the inadequate markings and signage. The Controller indicated this has been a problem for the last 3 years. They have requested several times that this be addressed in those three 3 years. I also asked if I caused any aircraft deviations and was told no.I believe this issue causing all these deviations every month can be fixed. This problem should be pointed out over the ATIS and Ground Control personnel should make a point to indicate that the North run up area is also a hold short area for both 20 and 14 runways; until the airport can get proper signage. Unless you fly out of this airport regularly any pilot would have a hard time determining where taxiway A cuts through runway 20-flight path and taxiway H meets up with runway 14 which appears to continue further than it does. Until you pass taxiway H and can see down runway 20 At this point is too late. Additionally I have noticed in the ATIS it indicates which approach is in use but not which runway is in use. This also can cause confusion.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.