[VHFcontesting] Multiple Calls,Same Rover

[John (JK) Kalenowsky, K9JK]

All,

It is *my* understanding that a ruling or rulings HAVE been made by HQ 
regarding this topic. Perhaps the "commissioner" (to use Ev's terminology) 
who I believe reads and monitors this reflector (and others) can comment and 
clarify for ALL of us.

I will also emphasize that I have only >heard< such rulings, not having 
actually seen any direct communication from the "commisioner" or other 
authority...probably legally classified as 'hearsay'...but I do understand 
that contest participants ARE operating under these rule 
clarifications/interpretations.

These "rulings" that I have >heard< DO permit a "family" rover BUT may 
operate with a maximum of TWO calls...i.e. a family of four (husband, wife, 
two children) is 'out of luck'. Somehow the "family rule" (General Rule 3.5) 
overrides the Above 50 MHz Rule 2.3.1 (vehicle transports one station, 
single call), but does NOT override Above 50 MHz Rule 2.3 (one or two 
operators of single station).

Now, I ALSO read General Rule 3.5 regarding "Family Stations" and note the 
clause in parentheses at the end "(The intent of this rule is to accommodate 
family members who must share a rig and to prohibit manufactured or 
artificial contacts.)"...I do wonder what the thinking is with respect to 
such family rover operation...if the members of a family are simply handing 
the microphone (or key?) back and forth, without doing separate tuning or 
seeking of stations...that starts to sound like 'manufactured' or 
'artificial' contacts but apparently NOT per the rulings and I guess I could 
make an argument either way (depending on which side of the argument I was 
trying to support or defend).

73, JK