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[VHFcontesting] frisbee roving

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Subject: [VHFcontesting] frisbee roving
From: frank bechdoldt <k3uhf@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:17:37 -0800
List-post: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com">mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
As I see it.
 What is obvious  is  the intent as stated by the host of the contest (ARRL)is 
ignored by a select few.  The evidence of Intent has been posted on here by 
VUAC who wrote the rules. The intent I speak of was clearly stated by the 
contest’s host’s magazine (ARRL?QST).
 
The lack of honoring the Contest Host’s stated intent has only brought turmoil 
into the host’s house, (The ARRL VHF Contests), from the actions of a select 
few.
 
Controversy in the host’s contest remains because the host “pussy footed” on 
the last rule change.
 
Now there are two ways forward. Paul seems to suggest to leave it alone because 
there is no breaking of rules. Quite analytical.
 
I would say make the rules match the intent of the 2 new rover classes. 
(staying true to the stated goals of the contest host)
 
I resent the idea of having to become a grid circler to compete on the same 
playing field. 
Especially when I see grid circling as counter productive to why ham radio 
exists.  
If Marconi wanted to talk across a farmer’s field, he would of got some string 
and two cans!
If he wanted to communicate across the cactus field, he would of employed smoke 
signals.
I believe he at least went a mile on the recorded first radio  attempt, seems 
like that should set some sort of mininum.
 
They could just as easily attach there messages to Frisbees and throw them from 
rover to rover and the ARRL can give than multipliers based on the color of 
their Frisbees and whether they were thrown under or over hand. 
 
Of courrs a "collie" is considered an unlimited rover, a "lab" a tradional 
rover and a "weener dog" a limited rover.
 
It is Especially counter productive to roving   when the circlers were given a 
specific category to compete in and beginners were given another to encourage 
growth of roving., and the traditional rovers were segregated off and to have 
this childish behavior continue.
 
If letting one man own 8 stations to orchestrate a victory in all 3 rover 
classifications across farmers fields and cactus patches is what the ARRL 
intended to be an example of good sportsmanship or spurring meaningful use of 
spectrum then I should go teach my Boy scouts to do things in the grey areas to 
win or earn patches.  I should tell the kids playing baseball and soccer its 
not how you play the game, its not whether you learn something form the sports 
experience, its whether you win at all costs no matter your reputation.
 
I saw this best a few years ago in kiddy soccer. There was no rule against 
keeping a team’s players in the traditional soccer zones.  One team would play 
five forwards and a goalie. They would cream the other teams whose coaches were 
teaching the kids 3 forwards, 2 defensemen and one goalie. 2 years Later (when 
they followed the normal rules) these kids had trouble defending, because they 
didn’t learn how the previous 2 years and they got creamed.
 
To ignore intent of a host is to dishonor the host.  It is like coming into 
ones house and being rude just because there is no law against it.  To turn a 
blind eye to the dishonorable behavior is dishonoring this community as a 
whole.  Its not as bad as ignoring blatant cheating, but its on that slippery 
slope.
 
The ARRL should not have a contest that is not honorable. It dishonors the ham 
radio community as a whole. Especially it’s members.
 
Its time the ARRL grew a pair and told its mother in law to quit smoking in the 
house at family get togethers.  
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