[VHFcontesting] lunch box radio

[John Logsdon]

I like k8mr's racing analogy. I am a rover, partially because my home QTH is in the middle of an oak forest. I drive around Florida with an antenna forest on the back of my pick-up. I get stares from Sheriffs and wide-eyed kids in the back seat of Disney-bound families. (I have a call letter license) 

When I rotate some of the smaller antennas I get long looks from the "Aliens are all around us" club. Putting a rover station together is a struggle. Being active on the bands is fun, no matter who gets a benefit from my participation. 

Do I really care if I come in first? No. Is the contest a contest for me to get off my backside and be active or is it a contest for a club to come in first? I think the former although I list my log as a Club entry. (FLWSS)

Would I be a captive Rover. No! Would I team up with another Rover? Yes, just to have the fun of more microwave contacts. Down here in EL/EM territory there are precious few stations with equipment. We also suffer from a paucity of high spots and a surplus of tree shaded Interstate overpasses. The airport parking garages have over-eager TSA officers on their roofs and lots of EMI. I have even thought about renting a motel room in a high rise with good window placement. 

So I have  skin in the game but I don't really get too excited about lunch box rovers- especially if they are not "captive".  

But then...  I never played competitive sports either. 

Having more fun with greater frequency!
John


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