[VHFcontesting] Rovers, the Family Rule, and Other Stations Issues

[Kutzko, Sean, KX9X]

Hi folks-


The Rules for All ARRL Contests on Bands above 50 MHz state:

"2.3.1. A rover vehicle may transport only one station using a single
call sign. An exception is provided for in "General Rules for All ARRL
Contests" number 3.5 (Family Rule)."

The Unlimited Rover category is subject to Rule 2.3.1.



As to the Family Rule (General Rules for all ARRL Contests 3.5), I am
sorry, the person you are dating does not qualify for the Family Rule
exception.

"3.5. A transmitter used to contact one or more stations may not be
subsequently used under any other call during the contest period, except
for family stations where more than one call has been issued, and then
only if the second call sign is used by a different operator. (The
intent of this rule is to accommodate family members who must share a
rig and to prohibit manufactured or artificial contacts.)"

In addition, all rover categories are subject to Rule 2.3.2, which
states:  "2.3.2. A rover may not operate with more than one call sign."
According to the new rover rules they are only exempted from rules
2.3.3 and 2.3.8. 

 


As far as the question of an Unlimited Rover working their own operators
on bands above 2.3 GHz, the rover categories are completely different
from the Multioperator categories.  The Contest-specific rule being
referenced reads:
 
 " 7.3. Multi-operator stations may not include QSOs with their own
operators except on frequencies higher than 2.3 GHz. Even then, a
complete, different station (transmitter, receiver and antenna) must
exist for each QSO made under these conditions."

It applies only to the two Multioperator categories, not the rover
categories.  In addition, while multioperator stations can work their
own operators on bands above 2.3 GHz by that rule, you can't simply
"pass radios" around to one another.  General Rule for All ARRL Contests
3.5 quoted above clearly states a radio used under one callsign during a
contest may not be used under any other call for the duration the even,
with the exception of the 'family rule'.



73, 

Sean Kutzko, KX9X
Contest Branch Manager

ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio
225 Main Street
Newington CT 06111-1494
Telephone: 860-594-0232
Fax: 860-594-0259
email:skutzko at arrl.org