Before I answer I want to say one thing. Even though I am a member of the
VUAC and helped write the new rover rules I am not the official final say on
the rules. That is KX9X at ARRL HQ. I believe that I know what I am
talking about but if KX9X disagrees his opinion is what really counts. That
having been said here is my opinion:
1. Yes, you would both be operators since you are both performing other
duties than driving. Remember that a driver only drives.
2. Yes, you would both still be considered operators since you have "touched
the mike". Once you perform a duty other than driving you are an operator.
3. No, you can only have a max of two operators. Once you and your partner
in the passenger seat performed duties other than driving you became
operators and will remain so for the duration of the contest.
A better strategy for this three person scenario would be to have your third
person in the back seat be the driver and not operate. You could sit in the
passenger seat and operate the radio while your partner sits in the back
seat and logs. You and your partner can swap operating the radio and
logging duties as you wish. In addition you could swap the driver out for
another driver at some point if you wish. Just remember that the driver can
only drive.
73
Jim, W4KXY
_____
From: k4gun@comcast.net [mailto:k4gun@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 9:31 AM
To: wa4kxy@bellsouth.net; vhfcontesting@contesting.com
Cc: Jim Worsham
Subject: RE: [VHFcontesting] Who's driving that rover?
Thanks for that reply, although I'm still a little confused. If you don't
mind, I'm going to give a couple of specific examples about which I would
like your opinion:
1. I (K4GUN) am driving my truck. Part of my roving plan is to operate
while on the move. In the passenger seat is another ham. Is it legal under
the rules for me to work the mic and tuner and the other ham to log the
contacts?
2. I am still driving the truck but the traffic conditions are such that I
can't safely operate the mic. Can I hand it over to the other ham who would
continue operating under my callsign? The other person would be handling
all operating duties except driving.
3. If the answer to number one is that its not legal for a driver to handle
both the mic and the steering wheel if there is another person in the truck,
can the other person in the vehicle transmit under my callsign?
Again, I know I'm very late to this party and these are likely very ignorant
questions. The suggestion of having an FAQ about the roving rules is a good
one but without that, I'm turning to this list for help.
Steve
K4GUN
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Jim Worsham" <wa4kxy@bellsouth.net>
> Here is the scoop guys. An operator can do anything. Tune the radios, put
> up antennas AND drive. But, an operator CAN NOT be switched out. You can
> have another person called a driver who can do NOTHING but drive and he
CAN
> be switched out. I know it sounds kind of obtuse but it is basically a
> safety thing. We wanted to give rovers the option of being able to switch
> out a driver during a contest without violating the existing "rovers are
no
> more than two operators" legacy that many wanted to maintain. Also, since
> the driver can't operate anyway this person doesn't even have to be a ham
so
> drivers are a good way to introduce nonhams to roving. You also have the
> observer for those who are not old enough to d rive yet. So what does that
> all mean from a practical standpoint? It is now possible for you and your
> fellow ham rover partner to go roving with each of your wives acting as
> drivers. You can also bring your kids as observers. It is now possible to
> rove as a family which was one of the things that folks said loud and
clear
> that they wanted to do and it now isn't necessary for one person to drive
> the full 33 hours of the contest which improves safety.
>
> 73
> Jim, W4KXY
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
k4gun@comcast.net
> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 11:49 PM
> To: vhfcontesting@contesting.com
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] Who's driving that rover?
>
> I know... I'm asking a lot of questions for a guy who just signed up on
this
> list. I' m new and this seems like the place with the most infored
opinions
> about what I'm trying to learn.
>
> My latest question has to do with driving. Here is the text of the rules
> from the ARRL:
>
> 2.3. Rover: A rover is comprised of no more than two operators that moves
> among two or more grid squares during the course of a contest. An operator
> may perform any or all rover functions, but a driver's function shall be
> limited to driving the vehicle. Drivers may be switched out during the
> event. Any number of observers is also allowed, however observers may not
> perform any rover function at any time. Rover vehicles with only one
> occupant are allowed to perform all functions listed above.
>
> Explain to me, what that means. If I have another person in the vehicle
and
> the vehicle is in motion, is the driver not allowed to do anything other
> than drive the vehic le? That seems a bit silly to me, especially when it
> looks like a person driving alone is allowed to not only tune and talk,
but
> also to log. A person with a navigator could quite easily operate a radio
> on one band without much danger if he didn't have to also log the
contacts.
>
>
> Does this literally mean that if I plan on operating while moving, I
either
> have to leave all duties to the person in the passenger seat or leave the
> passenger at home and assume all duties, including logging? Does anybody
> actually do this? I'm just curious and want to start out doing this the
> right way.
>
> Steve
> K4GUN
> _______________________________________________
> VHFcontesting mailing list
> VHFcontesting@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
>
>
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