[VHFcontesting] Roving Rules and Scoring that Work

[James Duffey]

I think it is useful to look at the 10 GHz contest to see how roving  
can be handled effectively in a VHF contest.

Most of the participants in the 10 GHz and Up contest operate at  
portable locations and are effectively rovers. Yet there is no grid  
circling or pack roving in that contest and in fact there is little if  
any controversy.

This is due to the scoring used. Salient points that should be looked  
at for VHF contesting that reduce the impact of grid squaring:

1. There are no multipliers.

2. There is a minimum distance requirement.

3. Points are calculated by the distance in km between the centers of  
the 6 designator grid squares.

4. In addition, 100 points are given for each initial contact with a  
station.

5. Another contact can be made with a station that has moved at least  
16 km (10 miles).

All of these make gird circling ineffective.

I suggest that the 10 GHz rules, perhaps with some modifications, be  
implemented for the UHF contest, and perhaps a more modified set for  
one or more of the VHF contests. There is no reason the rules and  
scoring should be the same for all of the VHF contests. Different  
rover rules for different contests should be considered. Perhaps even  
the current system could be kept for one contest. - Duffey
--
KK6MC
James Duffey
Cedar Crest NM