[VHFcontesting] The Rover Recognition Award Honoring Memory of W3IY

[Rick R]

The Rover Recognition Award is being established by the Packrats (Mt Airy 
VHF Radio Club, Inc) and was discussed and approved by Bill this past winter 
when we made him an honorary Packrat. Now it will be established in his 
memory. see attached below**. This was published in the Proceedings of the 
Mid-Atlantic VHF Conference, held this past weekend, sponsored by the 
Packrats. The Conference was dedicated in memory of Bill. Many shared their 
thoughts and memories about Bill's activities and contributions to the VHF, 
UHF and microwave amateur radio activity, and his rover coverage of rare 
grids during contests. He pushed the concept of Microwave Activity Days 
(MAD) on the first Saturday AM and first Monday PM of the month to increase 
activity above 432 MHz. We are saddened at the loss, and share our 
synpathies with his friends and family. Rick, K1DS

                                            **The Rover Recognition Award

	<In his memory> Bill Seabreeze, W3IY, is being honored by the establishment 
of the Rover Recognition Award. The Mt. Airy VHF Radio Club, Inc. members 
have been fortunate to have Bill and his frequent roving partner, 
Christophe, ON4IY, operate the VHF contests and other on-the-air activities 
from Bill’s rover van in grids adjacent to “Packrat territory” and are 
responsible for hundreds of QSOs, dozens of grid multipliers and thousands 
of contest points for the Packrats in each of these events.

	The club voted to make Bill an honorary Packrat this past year, and also 
awarded him a plaque in recognition of his efforts and achievements over the 
past several years. Not only has he been an active roving contester, but he 
has stimulated significant microwave activity in the region with the 
consensus building of the designated “Microwave Activity Days,” commonly 
referred to as MAD on the first Saturday morning and the first Monday 
evening of each month. Many of the rovers in the region try to get their 
vehicles out for these MAD periods, home stations are active, and all try to 
make sure that their gear is in working order, and possibly try out new 
modes, new paths and new bands. Additionally, Bill had established an 
excellent web site as a resources page for rovers, including lots of 
pictures of his gear, rover vehicle and operating sites.  There are also a 
host of links and other useful info on rovering issues and how he has 
addressed them from his experience.

	The Rover contest designation was established in the early 90’s as a new 
option for stations that were mobile through several grids that would have 
otherwise remained ‘unactivated’ during the contest. Many clubs supported 
the early rovers as a method of increasing both the activity and scores.  
“…the rules change occurred in the ‘91-’92 contest season. The biggest 
reason of the establishment (of the) category was to open up the captive 
rovers and allow them to work more stations for score*.”   [*Dan Henderson, 
N1ND, Contest Branch Manager, ARRL
Personal communication, 1-3-00]

The 2005 Rover Recognition Award will be given in early 2006 to a rover 
station who demonstrated particular excellence throughout the year in 2005. 
The Packrat Board of Directors will review the activity of the rover 
stations in all of the competitive VHF events throughout the year. 
Consideration will be given to the effort, regularity of operation, bands 
operated, grids covered, contribution to the VHF community, unique factors, 
and operating characteristics. Although total scores will be factored in, 
they will not be significant criteria for this award. The contest results as 
posted in QST and on the web sites of other contest sponsors will enable the 
award committee to form a list of candidates, and any additional information 
on the rover operations can be directed via email to the Packrat President 
and Chairman of the Board as listed on the Packrat Website. (Currently info 
can be sent to:   rick1ds at hotmail.com)