I wouldn't let whatever takes place on this discussion group deter me from
participating in contests. I do it almost entirely to have fun, and if I
happen to win something it's just a pleasant bonus.
As far as I'm concerned, Rovers can do whatever they want except perhaps
be "captive" if that means they won't work me. If they want to grid
circle, I'd just ask that they each stay in a grid long enough to give the
rest of us some QSO's too.
I don't see myself as a Rover in the reasonable future except in some of
the smaller contests like the Sprints. I prefer Single Op Portable. But if
I ever do become a Rover I'll still just have fun and work anyone and
everyone I can.
Based on previous results of CQWW VHF, I did OK as a Hilltopper. Probably
didn't win anything but the weather was perfect that night and I didn't
even mind being overrun with June bugs (technically May beetles).
:-)
73, Zack W9SZ
On Mon, 28 Jul 2008, Jack Isenberg wrote:
> Sick,
>
> Yes I am afraid I am sick.
>
> I am sick enough that I am not sure I will be able to participate in any more
> VHF/UHF contests.
>
> I have been a rover for quite a few years and a licensed amateur for over 50
> years.
> I have enjoyed many great technical discussions
> I have enjoyed chatting with many hams about their operating skills, process,
> procedures.
> I have enjoyed building many pieces of equipment and experimenting.
> I have enjoyed putting together a very good rover setup.
> I have enjoyed operating in many contests and getting many certificates.
>
> However, I am very sick and tired of the unproductive, useless, and sometimes
> downright damaging and disparaging comments on this reflector.
> If there were a lot of helpful and productive threads, it would be wonderful.
> There are far too few.
>
> So as a minimum, I am unsubscribing from the forum. (If you want me to see
> any response, you will have to send it to me directly)
> At this point, I feel like "unsubscribing from the amateur community as well
> and dropping out.
> It seems to me that is what many comments are trying to achieve.
> Anyone want to purchase a good award winning rover setup, please contact me
> directly. (serious interest only)
>
> The following are snippets of comments Posted. Not in the past year, not in
> the past month, not in the past week,
> but in the past three days (the last sentence says a lot, Amateur radio may
> well be on the way out):
>
> _______________________
>
> The ARRL made the rules as they stand today based on the intent. I
> personally believe that intent is the spirit of sportsmanship we are talking
> about here and how some are not being sportsmen about this.
>
> It has been apparent and will be further demonstrated that gentelmens
> agreements, or encouragement will not work in this part of contesting until
> the bull is taken by the horns.
>
> Much of ethics is personal, situational, and cultural. Thus, the
> assignment of ethical and unethical labels to practices that are
> allowed by the rules will vary from individual to individual. This is
> true of most of society's rules, not just VHF/UHF contesting
>
> I realize that these views may not be shared by many. It is not my
> intent to stir up controversy
>
> And if you go grid circling at the North pole, think of all the Qs and mults
> you can rack up!
>
> That could change equilibrium of the universe <g>.
>> The rules have watered this down some, you need to have a bigger team to do
>> the
>> same thing and the team can now feed off each other to dominate 3 rover
>> classes.
>>
>> If this is a competition where you hope to achieve something and compair your
>> efforts to others then it is truely pointless as long as this is allowed to
>> go
>> on. If you are in it for fun or to help hand out grids, then its good. But
>> many
>> of us would like to compete on a level playing field where we dont have to
>> round
>> up a half dozen buddies to rack up a decent score.
>>
>
> I will not use the word "unethical", but I will say its a violation of the
> spirit of the new rules.
>
> The other questions that have come up are coincidentally about the group
>> that this guy operates with. I will freely admit that I don't like the
>> practice. However, I don't want to whine about it.
>
> But then wouldn't this mean that no station should take any off time, as
> that would violate the idea of working as many stations as possible. Also,
> that means that we all must get on as many bands as possible, forgetting
> about other budgetary things, etc. So, goodbye sleeping during the contest
> and goodbye to the checkbook.
>
>>
>> If a station is not adhering to that primary objective -- again,
>> it is the
>> VERY FIRST stated principle in any ARRL V/UHF contest -- then
>> they are outside the spirit of the contest, and others may very
>> justfiably subject them and their methods to scrutiny and yes,
>> perhaps
>> even criticism.
>>
>
> "I have been following this discussion for some time now, and have
> thefollowing questions:Where exactly in the rules does it prohibit grid
> circling? Where is part 97does it prohib this practice? What exactly does
> make it unethical?73s
>
> I suppose if you are upset enough write the contesting committee dirrectly.
>
> So if there is true sportmanship in this event there needs to be a line drawn
> between teams and non teams for rovers just as there is for stationary
> stations. They broke no rules, the rules are broken. I suppose if you are
> upset enough write the contesting committee dirrectly.
>
> is right it is a matter of Honnor and I might add integrity.
>
>
>
> I thought the intent of the new rules and comprimise would be followed. It
> looks like some of were mistaken by what the intent was.
>
> The astute observer will deflect this from being a rover issue by saying that
> even a fixed-location participant can participate in similar shenanigans.
> True. Yet, for some reason it is the Rover category that has drawn these
> sorts of operations and subjected itself to open public scrutiny
>
> As far as the VUAC goes, I seem that group as being rather worthless.
>
> Yes.. Rules are Rules.. and with them come Controversy and also Loop
> Holes
>
> Why don't you guys just stop bashing rovers? They don't compete with fixed
> stations. The so called "Grid Circling Group" is out there having fun. They
> have a considerable investment in their gear just like a lot of fixed
> stations do. However, many folks don't have the location, money or time to
> set up a competitive fixed station. Roving is an option. But, everytime a
> rover suggests something on here, it gets bashed. It gets old fast and
> probably discourages many from even bothering with VHF+ contesting.
>
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