[VHFcontesting] Rovers and Rules

[STeve Andre']

Well Dave, I for one hope you continue to be a rover.  It sounds like a
lot of fun, if a lot of work.

I'm still coming up to speed on understanding all the issues about
rovers, but it isn't clear to me that the current rules need much work.

As for band inclusions in the various contests, I think I get the reasoning
behind them.  222 isn't a "uhf" frequency, but it isn't 2M either, and given
that its the orphan band (along with 33cm) including it in more contests
is a way to increase activity.  I'm glad that I can exercise my 222 stuff
during the UHF contest.   Likewise, 1296 for the VHF contests.  While
the band inclusions aren't technically accurate I suppose, they do help
foster activity on the VHF+ bands, or at least they don't hurt.

--STeve Andre'
wb8wsf  en82

On Thursday 04 August 2005 19:15, Dave Agsten wrote:
> Wow - sure are a lot of hackles being raised over rovers and grids. I
> started to do a lot of single op roving in Virginia and NC the last couple
> of years. I live about 30 miles from a 4 grid corner and do operate from
> all 4 of those squares as well as others. I don't grid circle....in fact I
> rarely even hear another rover. What would be the point in grid circling?
> As far as I'm concerned, that kind of operating would only set a record or
> high score in that circling operators mind....it means nothing to anyone
> else.
>
> There is a lot of work involved in setting up a rover rig. I can't imagine
> setting up for 8, 9 or 10+ bands. I have trouble getting 6 meters thru 1296
> setup and running. I have 902, but have yet to transmit. I've spent alot of
> money getting gear together to load into my truck 4 or 5 times a year. I'm
> beginning to wonder if it's worth it.
>
> Grid square multipliers provide a much better system than the previous ARRL
> section method. So what if a rover works the same station in 2 different
> grids in less than a minutes' time? If you have not operated as a rover
> you'll only think you know how often this actually happens. Murphy usually
> reduces the signal strength of the station you're trying to work before you
> get into that next grid and you don't hear him again. When it does happen
> you reap one of the benefits of roving. What's the problem? How many grids
> does a fixed station provide?
>
> I think the real problem is that a VHF Contest should be JUST that. Since
> when is 1296Mhz or 10Ghz a "VHF" frequency? And, for that matter, with the
> upcoming "UHF" contest, is 222 really a UHF frequency? Why not have real
> VHF or UHF contests? That would limit the VHF tests to 6, 2 and 222. If we
> wanted to stretch things a bit, include 432 in the VHF and continue with
> 222 as the lowest freq. in the UHF contest. Have a few more of each
> contest. Shorten the contest time a bit. Have contests for the higher
> frequencies above 2304. Have a cumulative contest for those who operate in
> them all. I'd like to think that there are some changes that could be made
> which would increase activity on these bands. Arguing about grid square
> activities isn't going to do that.
>
> 73,
> Dave W4TXS
>
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