Just so no one gets the wrong idea, my "rove" neither a serious effort nor a
prototype for future plans, just a very shallow dip of the toe in the water and
a chance to see what this might be like. My Jeep is so loud I never even
operate mobile.
Logging:
A clip board with paper duct tape to the upper leg and a big wide tipped marker
let me write one Q per page without looking. With only 4 on the move Q'S (HT,
5W, FM) it worked OK for this but safely logging will be big challenge if I try
this on the move.
LESSON: Shoot and Scoot or have the XYL drive (she thinks this would be
something fun to do together). Audio recorder is an excellent idea. I used
one in my first contest but wasnt helpful for a fixed station. Never thought
to bring it, thank you Jim.
Hands "free-er"
With the HT I had to wait until there was no traffic ahead or behind before
calling, then set it down to "scrawl/log" then pick it up again to complete the
Q, then set it down again to write if needed.
LESSON: A PTT on the wheel, a single ear head set with microphone off the
headset would seem ideal.
With the XYL move to KS done and 7 months of geo-batch ahead I should have
plenty of time to work on the crew cab short bed F-150 set up.
Thanks for the comments, advice & pics given on this and the earlier F-150
rover set up request post.
73
John
KM4KMU
On Monday, June 15, 2020 jimk8mr--- via VHFcontesting <jimk8mr@aol.com> wrote:
John,
I trust you survived your journey and had fun.
I am concerned about your mention of hand logging, which I gather was being
done while driving. If so, please reconsider that. I've done a number of mobile
trips around Florida in the Florida QSO Party, driving while operating, almost
all on CW , with a memory keyer to do the hard work. With reasonable road and
traffic conditions I do not see that as an unreasonable safety issue. However
taking the eyes off the road and a hand off the wheel, while tending to turn
one's upper body toward the log, is not a good idea.
While I do 2/3 of the time in FQP operating while parked, while driving I
record the contest to transcribe later. This may include sending notes to
myself over the air, such as "15M" after changing bands.
I strongly recommend anybody trying to operate while driving to not try to keep
a log at the same time. Record it.
73 - Jim K8MR
-----Original Message-----
From: John Young via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
To: vhfcontesting@contesting.com
Sent: Sun, Jun 14, 2020 5:58 pm
Subject: [VHFcontesting] This rover stuff is hard....
20ft box Uhaul with a loaded car trailer out back at 70mph from middle ohio to
KS. Glad I was using an FT-60 HT on FM so very few answered. If driving and
calling CQ (endlessly calling CQ) isnt hard enough, hand logging adds another
level of complexity.
I stand in awe of those who do this well with multiple bands. Thrilled to have
activated 3 grids and one multi at a grid border. More QSO's tonight after
local nets.
Roving IS FUN FUN FUN.
Good luck to all
73
John
KM4KMU
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