[VHFcontesting] Contesting ethics for rovers

[Tom Staley]

Hi Steve;

In September of 2005 my Wife Penny, K9PLS, and I wanted to do just what you
are inquiring about. At the time we were told by the group that this was not
permissible and that the Family radio usage rule didn't apply to VHF when it
came to rovers. We used to have another couple here in the area that used to
do this as well but no longer do as they too were told this was not
permissible by the group as well. 

Keep your girlfriend working on her ticket, the hobby needs more higher
pitched voices in it! 

73
Tom - K9TMS

-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of k4gun at comcast.net
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 3:01 PM
To: VHF contesting list
Subject: [VHFcontesting] Contesting ethics for rovers

I'm not sure if this is a question, a statement or just musings about
contest ethics.  More than likely, I'll just ramble on about it but I would
like some feedback from the VHF contesting group as I really respect the
opinions I see from this list.

My girlfriend is working on getting her ticket.  I'm quite proud of her for
doing this.  She also wants to join me in the rover for the June contest.  I
thought that would be a great way for her to see what all the fun is about.


Then, I started thinking about how this could benefit me and her.  My first
thought was to give her a tri-band HT.  She could make her own contacts and
keep her own log.  Hmmm... but what about letting her have use of the omni
directional antennas while I'm parked and let her use my spare radio which
is a 746 Pro.  My thought was that I could work contacts and then let her
work them on her own radio and antennas.

Great idea, right?  Well, aside from the problem that she isn't technically
"family" under the contest family rules as they apply to Rovers, there is
another problem.  The problem is an ethical one.  Working like this, she
probably wouldn't accumulate a very big score.  She would only be picking up
my left-overs, with one exception.  She and I could work each other on at
least 3 bands and probably 4 and we could do this in each grid from which we
worked.  

At first, I thought this would be a great way to increase my own score.
Under the "Limited Rover" rules, you are allowed to contact another rover up
to 100 times during a contest and having a person with you in the same grid,
that would be an easy limit to stay under but it would give a LOT of
multipliers that I otherwise would not get.  

I read the rules and saw the "family rule" exception.  I thought about
asking Sean about the "legality" of her using her own call and riding in my
truck.    I'm guessing that if I pushed the matter, I could slide through.
While she is not exactly "family" in a legal sense, we all know how that
definition has been evolving lately.

I also don't see a lot of difference between this and the grid circling that
is so common.  The only difference is that they travel in separate vehicles.

Then, I had to ask myself why I was contemplating this.  Was it really to
help her get started into radio or contesting?  Did it contribute to helping
any other stations pick up more grids?  Nope.  It accomplished none of that.
It might mean a few extra contacts for a few stations, but mostly it would
benefit me.  So while I can conjure up all kinds of justifications, I really
have to back up and realize that just because I can, doesn't mean I should.


Does any of this make any sense?  Am I thinking too much?  It wouldn't be
the first time.  I want to stay both within the letter and the spirit of the
rules.  Its that spirit part that brought on the introspection.

Steve
K4GUN
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