[VHFcontesting] Limited Roving - Worth the Effort?

[Glen Overby]

Chet, N8RA wrote:
> I have never heard a rover Cqing near the rover "hangout" frequencies.

Do you call the rover on their hangout frequency?  How long have you listened 
on their freq?

Due to a variety of excuses, one of my limitations is electrical power, so I
don't put out a continuous CQ call when I'm not running the bands with someone.
Sometimes I'll grab something to eat and monitor my hangout freq, but not keep
it busy.  

I'm skeptical of how many (or few) stations I've found by CQing on my hangout
freq.  Most of the people I find there knew I was there from a pre-contest
listing.  CQing on the calling frequency is the only productive place I've
found; at times I've worked one station on the calling freq. then announced 
that I'm QSYing, and I get very few people who will follow me.
 
> I am struck by how few of the announced rovers I work. So what do you think
> is happening?

I have 10 bands and when I have a busy contest, I can spend a big percentage
of my time off of 2m.  I typicly run the bands going up in frequency, and
when we get to 432 I ask what band is best for liason, and lately it's
frequently been 432 (I have more gain on 432 than on 2m).  If conditions are
difficult, I might not get back to 2m for 15 minutes or more.  That is, if a 
rover lists a hangout of 144.235, try 222.135, and 432.135.

I know some single-op stations will park an extra radio on a rover's hangout
frequency, but I suspect they don't do that for a small rover with limited 
bands.  I know my first few roves with few bands were really rough.

> We do this for enjoyment, and I always delight in working a station signing
> /R wherever he is.
  
I appreciate that!    

Glen, kc0iyt/r