[VHFcontesting] "Rookie" Classification

[k4gun at comcast.net]

I could be naive about this, but I don't see Limited Rover (LR) being a rookie class.  Its just limited.  When getting ready for June, I went back through previous year's contest scores.  You can sort out the rovers and specify it to list scores by band.  By looking at what others did with just the lower bands, I was able to get an idea as to what to expect.  If it were not for the LR class, I would still be doing this when the June scores are posted in order to see how I did in relation to stations with similar arrangements.

That's why I like LR so much and why the grid circle crew annoys me.  If there is going to be a LR class, its primary benefit is to allow those with smaller budgets to better judge their own stations, skills and plans.  If competing against a team, we're going to be reduced to filtering out those with whom we can never compete.  That's what we would do if there were no LR class at all!  

So if we still can't look at the results to figure out how we're doing, why have three rover classes?  Combine it back into one and I'll go back to filtering out those who used 4 bands and low power. 

I'm not mad at the circle crew.  I'm not even going to call them unethical.  They are opportunists.  I just hope the ARRL sees fit to make a couple more changes so each rover class can reasonably judge their own progress without filters.

Steve
K4GUN/R 

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Les Rayburn" <les at highnoonfilm.com> 

> I rather like the system used by the Sprint folks, allowing first time 
> contesters to enter as "Rookies". This allows newcomers to compete with others 
> of similar experience, and one would presume, similar investments in their 
> stations. Perhaps that would be a better model to encourage more folks to try 
> their hand at roving and/or participating in the ARRL VHF contests too. 
> 
> Frankly, I dislike people who love to quote rules and regulations, when common 
> sense tells you that wasn't the intention of creating this new class. You may be 
> within the letter of the law, but certainly not within it's spirit. If we all 
> want to continue to enjoy VHF/UHF operating, it's better to offer some 
> encouragement than to "win at any cost". 
> 
> It was my honor to sponsor the plaque that will be awarded to the 2nd Place 
> Limited Rover for the June 2008 VHF Contest. I'm starting to think that plaque 
> might belong to the rightful winner of the event. 
> 
> 73, 
> 
> Les Rayburn, N1LF 
> EM63nf 
> 
> (And very casual contester!) 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Les Rayburn, director 
> High Noon Film 
> 100 Centerview Drive Suite 111 
> Birmingham, AL 35216-3748 
> 205.824.8930 
> 205.824.8960 fax 
> 205.253.4867 cell 
> _______________________________________________ 
> VHFcontesting mailing list 
> VHFcontesting at contesting.com 
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting