[VHFcontesting] The rovering controversy

[Bill Burgess]

Much has been said, and much will continue to be said about rovering, both from fixed stations and other rovers.  The prime focus is on pack rovers who manipulate to attain exceedingly high scores.

All the rovers in Canada, very few of us in fact, abide by the rules and do not engage in grid circling with other rovers.  We are threatened with the possibility of changes that will further impede our ability to operate.  Many have spoken about the rare grids rovers provide for those in need.  Here in Ontario there are so many rare grids up north, but you cannot do a grid square to limit your travel, as vantage points are few and far between, with rocks and trees dominating the landscape, and no roads into these areas.  The further north we go, the less likely we are to work you as we often must work you off the side or back of your beam and the increased distance means getting your attention is less likely.  I have good ERP, but it did me little good in EN94, EN95 and FN05 last June.
The cost per qso becomes high too, as one cannot return to home base to sleep.  The VE3OIL team has found the northern grids very poor for contesting too in past contests.

I did rover in the 6 meter Sprint, as one grid was 2 miles south of the other, but with only 4 hours it is ineffective to do more grids here, and had fun too.

Rovering is both fun and costly.  Rovers in more isolated areas, ham-wise must get support through many qso's to continue.  Know who we are, where we will be, and point our way to work us.  And don't let the problem rovers spoil it for us honest rovers. 

See you next 'test.
 
Bill  VE3CRU/R

Email: ve3cru at rac.ca