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[VHFcontesting] Captivating Rovers [was: A Brief History of...]

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Subject: [VHFcontesting] Captivating Rovers [was: A Brief History of...]
From: w2ev@arrl.net (Ev Tupis (W2EV))
Date: Thu Jun 19 16:44:48 2003
Ed Kucharski well noted just how much of an impact that Rovers can have on the
score of a multiop.  HUGE. :)

Does anyone think this fact has escaped the operators of the multiops?  Now put
yourself in THEIR shoes for a moment.

   BTW...there's a difference between a captive rover and
         a captivated rover.  The first has yet to be proven
         to exist.  The second is drawn to work you, much like
         a candy store captivates my three year old twins.

---- The MegaMultiop (though this fits top SO's, too) ----
o You are the 800 pound gorilla...high power, good location, good
  antennas and trained operators.
o You hear a Rover (and know that they will be there only as long as
  they're having fun [oh no, not THAT again!].
o You get their attention (see the first bullet) and run-the-bands
  as quickly and intensly (see the second bullet) as you can, employing
  tactics that include verbal intensity, cajole and pseudo intimidation.

The Rover complies (cause it's fun to run all of those bands with someone who
can be easily worked).  <-- re-read this line.  Now for the kicker...

---- The Rover ----
Who are you going to spend more time (it's limited in any one location)
attempting to work?
A. An easily heard, well trainied multiop with all the bands you have
B. A relatively hard to hear SOLP with three of the bottom 4 bands

This brings yet another discussion full circle: the lamentation that the VHF
contest has turned into a defacto microwave contest.  There's a reason for
uwaves to have such a draw.  Don't be the "last caveman to discover fire".

o Get active on those other bands (the Rovers will love YOU more).
o Get noticable power (the Rovers will love YOU more).
o Practice running the bands quickly and efficiently (the Rovers 
  will love YOU more).

Before long...they'll know to find YOU.  B-i-n-g-o: you've CAPTIVATED them.

This is the best kept secret of the "top 10%" of the score submitters. 
Unfortunately, one it is not really so much a secret as much as it is something
that the other 90% simply refuse to learn.  Is it really that much more
[fun/satisfying/entertaining] to complain that someone else has an advantage
than it is to expend more effort ones self?

Ev, W2EV

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