[VHFcontesting] Answers to Questions on Distance Based Scoring

[Glen Overby]

James Duffey wrote:
> Several questions and comments have come up about distance based  
> scoring. Let me answer some.

 [ ... ]

> Any other questions? - Duffey

Yes:

1. Is someone writing a distance based scoring proposal to present to the
VUAC?

IMO, the VUAC members themselves do not seem inclined to push this.  I think
they would need a proposal in the form of a proposed set of new rules to get
this moving.

2. Since the motivation for distance based scoring presented here, is to
"solve" the Grid Circling "problem", why do you think that distance scoring is
going to change that?

I don't think that Grid Circling will go away with distance scoring.  I think
the way it's done will change, and I think the scores will be even higher.
Instead of traveling in a pack, the operators will spread out but will still
operate as a cooperating orchestrated group.  On 10ghz we can work easy SSB
QSOs out to about 250km with a 18" dish and a few watts, so let me use that
number in my example.  The rover pack could travel in threes (one for each
rover class) and the groups would spread out in, say, a 200km circle.  Each
group would work another group on an orchestrated schedule, probably not a lot
unlike they do now.  When they're done, they'd all move to the next spot (be
it a grid corner or just travel some distance) at the same time and do it all
over again.

N6NB's group may need to upgrade some equipment: add some amps and maybe
longer antennas.  However, I don't think they'll need a ~15' 2m beam like W9FZ
uses.  Instead of just a toolbox, they'll probably need a "cube" to hold the
longer antennas.

We could grid circle today with rovers at each of the four corners of a grid
square.  Would that really make it any different?

Glen, kc0iyt