[VHFcontesting] Informed Opinion [was: Who's driving that rover?]

[Ev Tupis]

Here is a list of individuals who (probably) had direct input to the rules (legislative) changes that are being discussed: http://www.arrl.org/contests/vuac.html

Jim (below) is one of those folks on that list.  I would consider his opinion to certainly carry a significant amount of weight.  For an "official ruling", contact KX9X at arrl.org, since Sean heads the "executive branch". :)

Regards,
Ev, W2EV

PS...thank you, Jim...and well done!

----- Original Message ----
From: Jim Worsham <wa4kxy at bellsouth.net>
To: k4gun at comcast.net; vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:43:48 AM
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Who's driving that rover?


Here is the scoop guys.  An operator can do anything.  Tune the radios,
 put
up antennas AND drive.  But, an operator CAN NOT be switched out.  You
 can
have another person called a driver who can do NOTHING but drive and he
 CAN
be switched out.  I know it sounds kind of obtuse but it is basically a
safety thing.  We wanted to give rovers the option of being able to
 switch
out a driver during a contest without violating the existing "rovers
 are no
more than two operators" legacy that many wanted to maintain.  Also,
 since
the driver can't operate anyway this person doesn't even have to be a
 ham so
drivers are a good way to introduce nonhams to roving.  You also have
 the
observer for those who are not old enough to drive yet.  So what does
 that
all mean from a practical standpoint?  It is now possible for you and
 your
fellow ham rover partner to go roving with each of your wives acting as
drivers.  You can also bring your kids as observers.  It is now
 possible to
rove as a family which was one of the things that folks said loud and
 clear
that they wanted to do and it now isn't necessary for one person to
 drive
the full 33 hours of the contest which improves safety.

73
Jim, W4KXY

-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
 k4gun at comcast.net
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 11:49 PM
To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: [VHFcontesting] Who's driving that rover?

I know... I'm asking a lot of questions for a guy who just signed up on
 this
list.  I'm new and this seems like the place with the most infored
 opinions
about what I'm trying to learn.

My latest question has to do with driving.  Here is the text of the
 rules
from the ARRL:

2.3. Rover: A rover is comprised of no more than two operators that
 moves
among two or more grid squares during the course of a contest. An
 operator
may perform any or all rover functions, but a driver's function shall
 be
limited to driving the vehicle. Drivers may be switched out during the
event. Any number of observers is also allowed, however observers may
 not
perform any rover function at any time. Rover vehicles with only one
occupant are allowed to perform all functions listed above. 

Explain to me, what that means.  If I have another person in the
 vehicle and
the vehicle is in motion, is the driver not allowed to do anything
 other
than drive the vehicle?  That seems a bit silly to me, especially when
 it
looks like a person driving alone is allowed to not only tune and talk,
 but
also to log.  A person with a navigator could quite easily operate a
 radio
on one band without much danger if he didn't have to also log the
 contacts.


Does this literally mean that if I plan on operating while moving, I
 either
have to leave all duties to the person in the passenger seat or leave
 the
passenger at home and assume all duties, including logging?  Does
 anybody
actually do this?  I'm just curious and want to start out doing this
 the
right way.

Steve
K4GUN
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