[VHFcontesting] Rovers, Rules, and Ethics

[Bill Burgess]

In ARRL contests of 50 Mhz and above, all except the 3 VHF contests have specific minimum distances set for Rover operating.  I know the VUAC did investigate this, but could not agree on a minimum distance, so no changes took place.

Due to the lack of a rule, some VHF grid circling rovers are running microdx qso's, all perfectly legal under Rules, or lack thereof in this case.  However, something not discussed here is the Contesting Ethics expected of us all.  Gene Zimmermann in a recent QST column addressed Contesting Ethics, pointing out how there are contesters who do not want their operating practices known to others.  In continuing, he says that if you don't want what you are doing known, then perhaps you shouldn't be doing it.

Rather than subject the VUAC and ARRL to readdress the distance ruling, I very much favour the alternatives suggested by Jon Platt and others here, namely:

(a) to clearly define Limited Rovers as operating on 50, 144 and 432 plus one other band of choice,
and
(b) Limiting the maximum number of rover to another specific rover to a much lower number than in the past, 10 to 30 suggested.  (Split the difference?)

This will encourage Rovers to work the contest, to be of much benefit to all base stations much in need of the grids and points.

I also favour logs being open to all.  

There will never be a solution that is agreeable to all, but a few refinements will improve the overall contesting and encourage Rovers sitting on the sidelines to get involved again.

73,

Bill   VE3CRU/R