[VHFcontesting] The Rover Resource Page updated!

[Art]

I've thought about tracking rovers for some time. However, it seems 
marginally practical as rovers change plans, trucks break down etc. So, 
they can't always show up on schedule. Once there, you can't be certain you 
will find them on the published frequency....in general, it's not 
productive to search for a particular rover because the plans/schedules do 
change, even after the contest starts.

Of course, using the internet to coordinate/announce rovers being available 
in real time would be an awesome boost for us and for them. Unfortunately, 
the ARRL forbids solicitation for contacts via non-amatuer means. So, use 
of packetclusters is illegal and realtime internet chat pages are out too 
(packetclusters are illegal because they are networked and all have 
non-amateur links to other nodes).

I've wondered about HF packet though. 80 and or 40 meters provide suitable 
propagation distances in daylight or nighttime. Since they are amateur 
radio by nature, you can use HF packet to solicit/spot your frequency or 
announce you were 'looking SW' for instance. A simple tnc could be used to 
transmit and receive unproto packets containing spotting information.

Have you or the group ever given thought about this?? Even a superstation 
doesn't work everyone within it's 'range' because the antennas are so 
directional. A little amateur radio HF data communications would go a long 
way towards improving the activity and the number of stations we work 
during contests.

Art



At 10:11 PM 6/7/04, you wrote:

>As a service to all VHF contesters I gather the plans of stations planning
>to be active and post them on the Rover Resource Page.  This started out to
>help folks plan for Rover operations in their area, but has become popular
>for all categories.
>
>This can be a big help in VHF Contesting because most people use very
>directional antennas. There may be a station 20 miles away that is on and
>you never know it unless your antennas happen to cross!  If you make notes
>[before the contest starts] you can keep track of who is where, and know
>where to look.  This is REALLY helpful with Rovers that are passing through,
>so you will know when to look for them.
>
>   If you plan to be on please send me the call you plan to use [this sounds
>obvious, but with multis, rovers, clubs and such it's not easy to tell!],
>the grid or grids you plan to activate, and any other station info you care
>to share.   An email address you can be reached at to set up scheduled
>contacts can also be helpful.  I won't include your email address unless you
>put it in the body of the message [some folks are touchy about privacy
>issues, and such].  Send me your plans as soon as possible! Also, if you
>know of any stations that will be on but don't use email, send me their
>plans so we can spot them as well.
>
>
>
>I just finished an update, so all of the plans I currently have are posted.
>Keep 'em coming, and have fun!
>
>
>My plans have been reduced dramatically, due in large part to the $2/gal gas
>prices!   Now I'm planning to put on EM68 & EM78 on Saturday, and EM69 &
>EM79 on Sunday.
>
>Will have A,B,C, & D with 100 watts and yagis, except for 222 which will be
>only 25 watts.
>
>QRZ de K9ZF /ROVER!
>
>Dan Evans K9ZF
>Scottsburg, IN 47170
>{EM78}
>K9ZF /R no budget Rover
>ex-N9RLA
>Check out the Rover Resource Page at:
>http://www.qsl.net/n9rla
>QRP-l #1269
>Central States VHF Society
>IN-Ham list administrator
>
>
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