Rovers

[Hans Brakob K0HB]

Bumper-tag rovers, 4-corner grid dancing, drive-up QSO's, etc.....

As CAC rep, since the January VHF contest I have seen a mini-tornado of 
correspondence regarding the rover category.  Specifically the correspondence is a 
reaction to the practice of "caravans" of rovers systematically working a 
"four-grid-corner" and then traveling on to the next nearest conjunction to do it 
again.

Naturally, the first round of these letters is largely negative, to be followed by a round of 
defenders.

Because I am not heavily involved in VHF/UHF contesting, I'd like to hear from you on 
this issue.  

At first glance, it might seem prudent to "sit on our hands" and watch the evolution of 
this over a couple of cycles to see where it goes, but we'd then risk that the first shots 
fired would unduly influence the direction of the discussion/debate.  To avoid that 
syndrome, I'd like to be prepared early to take a position most favorable to the sense of 
midwest contesters.

Most of the correspondents express a desire to avoid rule changes which might damage 
to the rover category, but at the same time would like to find a way to limit the advantage 
of these "caravans" which they see as so busy working each other that they neglect 
(intentionally or not) to work other stations outside the caravan.

Some solutions mentioned so far have been:

	- divide rovers into two categories (how do you draw that line?)
	- limit the allowed percentage of "same station" contacts
	- limit clubs to a fixed number of rovers (10% of club logs)
	- require a rover to remain in each grid for at least (X) hour(s)
	- do nothing (the novelty will go away)
	
Your readers may have other better ideas.  In order to best represent their attitudes, 
please ask them to contact me by mail, phone, or on the air.

73 and "GL in the contest",


Hans Brakob K0HB  (612)473-6246
1610 Weston Lane
Plymouth, MN  55447