[VHFcontesting] Roving Analysis

[David All]

This is a report from another of the 5 Unlimited Rovers.  Our decision was
made prior to the start of the event as a result of utilizing 3 operators.
We had the bottom 4 and also 1296.  We talked about going with out 1296 and
go limited rover but with using 3 operators we were compeled to enter the
Unlimited catagory and try out 1296.

6m helped us out big time, 2m was good but some techinal issues with other
bands from our first grid caused a less than steller preformance.  We used
my self as logger for my daughter who was our voice on 6m and did
fantastic.  While my dad took up the rest of the bands.  In retrospect, and
planing for the next contest.  One "seasoned" operator should have been on 6
and 2 operators taken up the rest of the bands.  I noticed that in the heat
of 6m we would pass and dad was bussy working on 222 and up.  This caused us
to miss some chances for the guys that only had 2,6.  But the bottom line
was that as a 3 generation ham family we had a lot of fun.  Photos can bee
seen at my web site. www.n3xud.webs.com

Now that the entries are being studied I was shocked to realize that we were
only 1 of 5 entries in this catagory.  This was a dramatic turn in my mind.
I had a feeling that the rover rule change would cause a decrease for the
rovers who only had one or two of the other bands.  But in no way did I
expect the extreamly low entries into the Limited catagory.  I agree that
with the investment in a rover with the upper bands, I also would go for all
the points and not side with check logging the upper bands.  Would be neat
to see a multi op rover catagory.  That way some of the rovers with all the
bands can really boost the scores by having an op to handle the run up the
bands.  If fixed stations can.  Why cant the rover.
I just hope that this trend does not continue.  If it does I have a feeling
that another rule change would be down the road.  I dont want to open the
rule debate at all.

Duffy- Take a look back and see if there were any previous year entries that
changed their entry catagory this year.  From Unlimited Rovers to the
Limited catagory.  This would be neet to see if there was a big defection to
the Limited ranks.

Just a reflection from the 3 Generation Rover. N3XUD/R.  FM19rw
Dave
www.n3xud.webs.com



On Mon, Jul 20, 2009 at 5:54 PM, Les Rayburn <les at highnoonfilm.com> wrote:

> Thanks to James Duffey, KK6MC for his though provoking analysis of rover
> logs submitted to the June VHF contest. It certainly stimulates thought, and
> helps to give definition to some of the heated discussions that we've had in
> weeks past.
>
> I can't improve much on his work, but can shed some light on one of these
> five "Unlimited Rover" entries for the June Contest. One of them was mine,
> and my entry in that category came after a lot of soul-searching. I even
> consulted some of my VHF mentors on the topic.
>
> Prior to the event, I had reviewed the past several years worth of logs and
> tried to determine how competitive my station might be. It was clear that
> while I might hope to do well within my section (Alabama), I had little
> chance of doing well in the division in the Classic Rover category. The
> folks in Florida are just too dominant.
>
> I considered a Limited Rover entry, and using my microwave contacts as
> check logs, but that didn't seem fair considering the high investment in
> equipment and time that so many had made to the effort. That left
> "Unlimited" rover, where it was clear that I could hope to be competitive,
> at least within the division. Even though I operated alone, with no grid
> circling, it allowed me to count all my contacts towards my score and
> encouraged me to invest the time and effort required
>
> After the contest, I had a lot of second thoughts, and some advised that
> entering based on a category selection amounted to "cherry picking". But
> after a lot of thought, I decided that researching your competition prior to
> any event just makes sense. As it turns out, I think it was the right
> decision.
>
> Hats too to K04MA who appears to have rocked the house from Florida! I had
> hoped to work many of these great operators down there during the CQ VHF
> July event, but most of them were not on. That's a shame...maybe a return
> trip in September will give me the chance to work these guys and learn a lot
> more about roving from the Deep South.
>
> 73,
>
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> EM63nf
> 121 Mayfair Park
> Maylene, AL 35114
>
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