[VHFcontesting] Who's driving that rover?

[k4gun at comcast.net]

Thanks for that reply, although I'm still a little confused.  If you don't mind, I'm going to give a couple of specific examples about which I would like your opinion:

1.  I (K4GUN) am driving my truck.  Part of my roving plan is to operate while on the move.  In the passenger seat is another ham.  Is it legal under the rules for me to work the mic and tuner and the other ham to log the contacts?

2.  I am still driving the truck but the traffic conditions are such that I can't safely operate the mic.  Can I hand it over to the other ham who would continue operating under my callsign?  The other person would be handling all operating duties except driving.

3.  If the answer to number one is that its not legal for a driver to handle both the mic and the steering wheel if there is another person in the truck, can the other person in the vehicle transmit under my callsign?

Again, I know I'm very late to this party and these are likely very ignorant questions.  The suggestion of having an FAQ about the roving rules is a good one but without that, I'm turning to this list for help.

Steve
K4GUN

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Jim Worsham" <wa4kxy at bellsouth.net> 

> 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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