Like I have done with the ARRL rules, I have read and re-read your reply. You
seem to be saying that if the vehicle is in motion and there is more than one
person in the vehicle, the person in the driver's seat is not allowed to touch
the microphone. Am I understanding you correctly? Or are you saying that just
because a person is driving, they are not considered the "driver" because they
are an "operator" and therefore can do whatever they want including drive while
operating?
Here's the problem. The rule has a sentence that is contradictory. "An
operator may perform any or all rover functions, but a driver's function shall
be limited to driving the vehicle." Do we agree that a "rover function" is
moving a vehicle? That is also called driving. According to the first 9 words
in this sentence, an operator may drive and perform whatever other duties an
operator may have. In the final 11 words of that same sentence, we are told
that the person driving can do nothing except drive. That means they can not
perform "any or all rover functions".
So back to the question. If there are two people in the vehicle and both are
operators, can one drive and operate the radio while the other logs the
contacts?
Its a poorly worded rule. I very much want to stay within both the letter and
intent of the rules. I did send an e-mail to the ARRL contest rules e-mail but
heard nothing back. I just sent a 2nd e-mail and I hope to hear back this time.
Steve
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Jim Worsham" <wa4kxy@bellsouth.net>
Before I answer I want to say one thing. Even though I am a member of the VUAC
and helped write the new rover rules I am not the official final say on the
rules. That is KX9X at ARRL HQ. I believe that I know what I am talking about
but if KX9X disagrees his opinion is what really counts. That having been said
here is my opinion:
1. Yes, you would both be operators since you are both performing other duties
than driving. Remember that a driver only drives.
2. Yes, you would both still be considered operators since you have "touched
the mike". Once you perform a duty other than driving you are an operator.
3. No, you can only have a max of two operators. Once you and your partner in
the passenger seat performed duties other than driving you became operators and
will remain so for the duration of the contest.
A better strategy for this three person scenario would be to have your third
person in the back seat be the driver and not operate. You could sit in the
passenger seat and operate the radio while your partner sits in the back seat
and logs. You and your partner can swap operating the radio and logging duties
as you wish. In addition you could swap the driver out for another driver at
some point if you wish. Just remember that the driver can only drive.
73
Jim, W4KXY
From: k4gun@comcast.net [mailto:k4gun@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 9:31 AM
To: wa4kxy@bellsouth.net; vhfcontesting@contesting.com
Cc: Jim Worsham
Subject: RE: [VHFcontesting] Who's driving that rover?
Thanks for that reply, although I'm still a little confused. If you don't
mind, I'm going to give a couple of specific examples about which I would like
your opinion:
1. I (K4GUN) am driving my truck. Part of my roving plan is to operate while
on the move. In the passenger seat is another ham. Is it legal under the
rules for me to work the mic and tuner and the other ham to log the contacts?
2. I am still driving the truck but the traffic conditions are such that I
can't safely operate the mic. Can I hand it over to the other ham who would
continue operating under my callsign? The other person would be handling all
operating duties except driving.
3. If the answer to number one is that its not legal for a driver to handle
both the mic and the steering wheel if there is another person in the truck,
can the other person in the vehicle transmit under my callsign?
Again, I know I'm very late to this party and these are likely very ignorant
questions. The suggestion of having an FAQ about the roving rules is a good
one but without that, I'm turning to this list for help.
Steve
K4GUN
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Jim Worsham" <wa4kxy@bellsouth.net>
> Here is the scoop guys. An operator can do anything. Tune the radios, put
> up antennas AND drive. But, an operator CAN NOT be switched out. You can
> have another person called a driver who can do NOTHING but drive and he CAN
> be switched out. I know it sounds kind of obtuse but it is basically a
> safety thing. We wanted to give rovers the option of being able to switch
> out a driver during a contest without violating the existing "rovers are no
> more than two operators" legacy that many wanted to maintain. Also, since
> the driver can't operate anyway this person doesn't even have to be a ham so
> drivers are a good way to introduce nonhams to roving. You also have the
> observer for those who are not old enough to d rive yet. So what does that
> all mean from a practical standpoint? It is now possible for you and your
> fellow ham rover partner to go roving with each of your wives acting as
> drivers. You can also bring your kids as observers. It is now possible to
> rove as a family which was one of the things that folks said loud and clear
> that they wanted to do and it now isn't necessary for one person to drive
> the full 33 hours of the contest which improves safety.
>
> 73
> Jim, W4KXY
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of k4gun@comcast.net
> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 11:49 PM
> To: vhfcontesting@contesting.com
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] Who's driving that rover?
>
> I know... I'm asking a lot of questions for a guy who just signed up on this
> list. I' m new and this seems like the place with the most infored opinions
> about what I'm trying to learn.
>
> My latest question has to do with driving. Here is the text of the rules
> from the ARRL:
>
> 2.3. Rover: A rover is comprised of no more than two operators that moves
> among two or more grid squares during the course of a contest. An operator
> may perform any or all rover functions, but a driver's function shall be
> limited to driving the vehicle. Drivers may be switched out during the
> event. Any number of observers is also allowed, however observers may not
> perform any rover function at any time. Rover vehicles with only one
> occupant are allowed to perform all functions listed above.
>
> Explain to me, what that means. If I have another person in the vehicle and
> the vehicle is in motion, is the driver not allowed to do anything other
> than drive the vehic le? That seems a bit silly to me, especially when it
> looks like a person driving alone is allowed to not only tune and talk, but
> also to log. A person with a navigator could quite easily operate a radio
> on one band without much danger if he didn't have to also log the contacts.
>
>
> Does this literally mean that if I plan on operating while moving, I either
> have to leave all duties to the person in the passenger seat or leave the
> passenger at home and assume all duties, including logging? Does anybody
> actually do this? I'm just curious and want to start out doing this the
> right way.
>
> Steve
> K4GUN
> _______________________________________________
> VHFcontesting mailing list
> VHFcontesting@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
>
>
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