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Re: [VHFcontesting] Rule Change Discussion

To: "Bob Naumann - W5OV" <W5OV@W5OV.com>
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Rule Change Discussion
From: "Dave Page" <vhf@dave-page.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 12:11:54 -0400
List-post: <mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
> http://www.w5ov.com/Rule_Change_Strawman.htm

        This proposal does not clearly define captive rover. Thus, the 
continuing 
controversy -- no one, it seems, can define captivity in a way that does not 
cut 
across someone's independent rover operation. (Largely, because there is little 
difference in fact, only in politics). 
        Since there would be a large incentive to rove "independent" but no 
enforceable rule to differentiate between independent and captive, all 
participants 
under these proposed changes will simply file "independent."
        Further, the purpose of QSO points is to recognize that contacts become 
more difficult as the frequency increases. Captive rovers operate under the 
same 
physics as everyone else. 
        In addition, this rule proposal fails to address the inequity in the 
scoring of 
circling rovers versus DX rovers -- which is the largest problem with the 
current 
rules. 

        The political debate is this: should the cost of entry to the contest 
be a 
commitment to collectivism. Should stations be free to work whomever they want, 
wherever they want  (leaving the op to decide what "fun" is). Or are stations 
the 
collective property of the contest, and thus be forced to work everyone they 
can 
(with the ARRL deciding what "fun" is).
        The collectivist rovers will be forced to select their sites to ensure 
they work 
at least N stations on each band. They will need to remain near populated 
areas, or 
drop the higher bands in order to make the proper "showing." Collectivist 
scoring will 
decrease pleasure and decrease grid activation, decreasing contest activity. On 
the 
other hand, free rovers determine what "fun" is for them -- which is the best 
way to 
ensure they continue to participate. 

        It is ironic that this rule proposal refers to non-captive stations as 
"independent" -- they would be anything but. It is the way of collectivists 
everywhere 
to redefine terms to suit their agenda: to a collectivist "freedom" means 
freedom 
from the tedium of having to make many choices.

        Long live free rovers.

                Regards - Dave KD3NC


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