[VHFcontesting] flying discs and roving

[frank bechdoldt]

On of the statistically high percentage of analytical thinkers we have on this reflector pointed out something to me. It has been pointed out to me that the term Frisbee is copyrighted by Whamo and I should not use it without express written consent of the Whamo brothers, Emil and Isaac Whamo. Sorry guys.   I am now forced to use the term flying disc, sport disc, I am tempted to refer to a pie tins, but I hear Sara Lee and Little Debbie can be quite the turds at times.
 
            All the absurbity that aside, I have no bone to pick with the VUAC, they have sent in a fix and time will tell what the results will be.  I hope the ARRL has the intestinal fortitude to say why they changed the rules again so it is clear as to why they are doing it.  We all know they wouldn’t change things if there was not a need to do so.  
 
Yes I am saying that they are not forward thinking in Connecticut.  This is on several issues beyond our reflector.  I would like to think it is on lack of funding. I think when the ARRL asked the VUAC to work on roving rules some more, they understood that the VUAC is troubleshooting and the first time may not pan out.
 
            I took the gloves off when it was obvious the VUAC sent on their recommendation. I figured that ended the debate for now. But somehow it kept going until my fingers could not resist any more.  My blood pressure is not high,  I am trying to let the people who do not rove understand that all parts of the contest should be clean.
Paul is right that the ARRL  needs to be very clear and stop the mixed signals.  
 
            I perhaps romanticize roving.  It is a mix of the radio hobby and the automobile.  Out west it gives you magnificent views if you go to a mountain top.  In populated areas it gives you strange looks, but it also attracts attention from people who look beyond why the funny vehicle and ask why and what are you doing.  In the internet age, which I believe has taken a toll on “random contacts” in radio (HF and VHF) and offers a seemingly easier way to reach other cultures.  I think this activity could expand greatly if fostered in such a way that makes sense and offers some realistic competiveness to new people.  
 
            I think the ARRL needs to market radio and radio sports as a family/ normal activity choice for the American family. They have went halfway there already by lowering the standards for those to get the basic license.    They need to find a way to finish their licensing stimulus package.  There used to be a million of us. Now we float at 600k with the only hope of keeping a million of us is to make the license a 20 year license. 
 
            Ok my rant went way off the flying disc…. But just think if the focus on BPL was used to get more hams then there would be more of a grass root pushback on BPL and CC&Rs.  Lets face it, we need more gentiles in the Army to drive off the barbarians.   
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