I believe Tree has outlined one of the major "ethical" concerns with "Pack -
caravan grid circling rovers" - that it creates a "totally artifcical
situation" in the contest. There is no "Radio contest" dependant on
propagation, station activity, etc. for them. Unless their equpiment or
vehicles break down, they are assured of a "sked" and the "conditions
supporting the QSO."
Another "artifical situation" regarding VHF and contesting, in my opinion,
are the JT-65 eme/FSK-441a modes. "Sure - it requires a lot of equipment to
do this - not an easy thing to do," same as Tree notes for grid circlers.
But once you have a JT-65/FSK-441a station set up, the computer makes the
QSO with another computer (sometimes with a little help from one of the
Internet chat pages while the op. is paying bills on-line). No propagation,
work, or operating skill needed or required.
- Jon N0JK
>"In the case of a pack of circling rovers, they are creating a totally
artifical situation where most, if not all, of the activity is generated
by their partners. Take away the QSOs made by their partners and you
have a totally insignificant rover score. They are not significantly
increasing the overall activity level of the contest (since they tend
to pick fairly unpopulated places to do their roving).
>They have worked out a schedule and "dance" to maximize the number of
grid circles they can work - and to optimize the QSOs with their
partners. It is like having schedules all setup for you before the
contest - and being 100 percent assured that conditions will support
the QSO.
>Sure - it requires a lot of equipment to do this - not an easy thing
to do. A good operator will also help - as you can make the QSOs
quicker. However, I don't think this is a healthy use of the capability."
- Tree N6TR
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