[VHFcontesting] Re: captive rovers

[David B Kunkee]

>  Look at what some of the large VHF groups have done 
>  for the hobby. W2SZ, K8GP, N2WK, W3CCX, K3YTL etc. Populated relatively 

>  unused bands, taught microwave station construction, repair and 
>  operating practices to new hams, old hams and even potential hams.

This is a major point.  Big stations mean participation.  Recently I 
found a opportunity to spend a weekend in the DC/PA/NJ area and a buddy
asked me about the UHF contest.  I didn't even know about the UHF contest
and I've participated in the June and September contests frequently for 
the
past several years.  The first thing I did was go to QST to see the 
results 
and try to evaluate the level of activity and see whether it was worth it 
to take some minimal gear with me and participate.  Big stations work a 
lot 
of QSOs because they have the equipment and location to do so, and I 
pretty 
much know I'll make some QSOs roving from the scores I saw over the last 
few years.  So, yeah, because of that (and them) I think it'll be fun to 
get 
on.  And I will, of course, work everyone I can.

On another note, I've never considered it necessary for the 'absolute 
value' 
of the rover's score to be comparable to that of a single/multi-op station 
- until
I was 'educated' about club competition.  So, what about two categories - 
there's 
the roving score, calibrated for whatever purpose it needs to be to other 
scores, 
and then another score (perhaps similar to the rover scores prior to 1992) 
for 
"rover only" comparisons.  Kind of like racing - in the Indianapolis 500 
there 
are really two races - the race for the pole, and then the race itself. 
Between
the racing teams, getting the pole means something.
Oh well - I am sure it's an old thread...

73 Dave, K0DI