As someone who usually makes the top 10 Rovers I have been shooting for that
number one spot for several years now. With the January scores out and
coming in forth I feel in a way I have made it with the exception of Wayne's
(N6NB) crew. Wayne's goal has been to beat the all time rover score which
after several tries, much expense and planning he has done. I am sure he
will continue to rove as he does to keep the bar high and leave the
challenge out there for someone else to shoot for.
I personally chose not to compete in this fashion and focus on finding the
ultimate route and adding more bands as a way to increase my score. I find
this spurs activity as when I started there where few on 2, 3 and 5 ghz
where now we have quite a crowd on these bands. Every contest I get requests
for QSL cards from those looking for credit in a new Band, Grid combination
which proves to me I am successful in creating new opportunities for others.
Safety is important in roving, we often go to remote places, stay out late
at night and without a doubt we draw attention. Traveling with another rover
keeps this a safe sport and also gives you someone to work when you drive
many hours to a remote location to activate a grid. Often Rovers are the
only one in some of the grids. I always run with a second op but even then
we both cant effectively operate while moving as logging becomes an issue.
When I go out with others we don't "pack" rove but we do go to the same
general areas and often times we will go back into a grid to work another
combination but never to the deterrents of getting to the next spot and
working as many folks as possible.
Personally I would like to see a few more categories since roving is the
fastest growing category and in my area, the southwest most of the mountain
toppers no longer go out for numerous reasons. I have also seen a real
decline in FM only stations over the past 4 years or so. A few new
categories would encourage activity and maintain a level playing field.
Also, In my opinion changing the scoring just moves the end numbers around.
Relatively the majority will score in the same position just with smaller
numbers.
Bottom line, keep the bands alive. Get out there and Rove. Compete against
yourself and you will always be satisfied.
N6TEB\R - Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Eric Smith
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2005 12:43 PM
To: Mike (KA5CVH) Urich; VHF Contesting
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Fwd: PACK ROVEing - A New Category Is Needed
When it happens, I got a rover rig that can contain up to 4 operators, one
driver, two loggers, and two resting in the bunks ready to rotate into any
of the other positions as either relief operators, loggers, or driver.
When stopped at likely microwave capable locations, then the driver can
operate the microwave gear.
With a cruising range as currently equipped (65 gallons fuel, 7MPG average,)
of appx. 400 miles, it is possible to cover lots of ground in a 30 hour
contest period, stopping only for microwave contacts, food and fuel.
Antennas are arranged onto two masts, and operating positions are arranged
accordingly.
Front mast holds 4 elements on 6, 10 elements on two, with
one operating position for each band.
Rear mast supports the 222, 432, 903 and 1296 antennas, the shortest boom
currently is the 12 foot, 20 element antenna for 432. 222 and 432 are set
up at one position, 903 and
1296 the other, using a common IF rig for both bands.
This arrangement facilitates simultaneous operations on 5 bands at a time,
making "band running" large multioperator fixed (and rover?) stations a
breeze. It also divides the workload up nearly equally for each operator.
And for that single op trying to crash the pileup when the rover hits a new
grid, no more waiting around for the rover to change bands... If one band is
busy, just call the multiop rover on one of the other bands less busy, and
arrange QSOs on the remaining bands.
In busy contest areas, this keeps QRM to a minimum, and allows the multiop
rover a better opportunity to get all the workable stations into the log
quickly, meaning more grids activated per contest, and more stations worked
per grid activated.
This would tend to make multiop and single op fixed stations pay a bit more
attention to the rigs during slack periods during the contest, as the
multiop rover can change grids more frequently and remain in a given grid
for less time and still make a decent pile of Q's in the log.
So I say, "Let the Unlimited Multiops ROVE!"
Eric
KB7DQH
On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 13:37:01 -0500
"Mike (KA5CVH) Urich" <ka5cvh@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 7/31/05, VHFRover@aol.com <VHFRover@aol.com> wrote:
>
> > While we are at it, let's also consider setting up a
> separate class for
> > multi-op rovers. It is very difficult for a single-op
> rover to compete against a
> > multi-op rover station.
>
> Mike wrote
>
> I hear what you are saying and I'm not dispelling it but I'm not quite
> sure we are there yet. OTOH, if you want to go down this path then
> lets set a single op as just that but do not limit the number of
> operators under the multi-op as long as they all ride in the same
> vehicle. However this I'm sure would create other inequities too. At
> this rate we can create enough categories that everyone can finish
> first in their given category. :-)
>
> Mike Urich, KA5CVH
> http://ka5cvh.com
> _______________________________________________
> VHFcontesting mailing list
> VHFcontesting@contesting.com
>
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