Bumper-tag rovers, 4-corner grid dancing, drive-up QSO's, etc.....
As CAC rep, since the January VHF contest I have seen a mini-tornado of
correspondence regarding the rover category. Specifically the correspondence
is a
reaction to the practice of "caravans" of rovers systematically working a
"four-grid-corner" and then traveling on to the next nearest conjunction to do
it
again.
Naturally, the first round of these letters is largely negative, to be followed
by a round of
defenders.
Because I am not heavily involved in VHF/UHF contesting, I'd like to hear from
you on
this issue.
At first glance, it might seem prudent to "sit on our hands" and watch the
evolution of
this over a couple of cycles to see where it goes, but we'd then risk that the
first shots
fired would unduly influence the direction of the discussion/debate. To avoid
that
syndrome, I'd like to be prepared early to take a position most favorable to
the sense of
midwest contesters.
Most of the correspondents express a desire to avoid rule changes which might
damage
to the rover category, but at the same time would like to find a way to limit
the advantage
of these "caravans" which they see as so busy working each other that they
neglect
(intentionally or not) to work other stations outside the caravan.
Some solutions mentioned so far have been:
- divide rovers into two categories (how do you draw that line?)
- limit the allowed percentage of "same station" contacts
- limit clubs to a fixed number of rovers (10% of club logs)
- require a rover to remain in each grid for at least (X) hour(s)
- do nothing (the novelty will go away)
Your readers may have other better ideas. In order to best represent their
attitudes,
please ask them to contact me by mail, phone, or on the air.
73 and "GL in the contest",
Hans Brakob K0HB (612)473-6246
1610 Weston Lane
Plymouth, MN 55447
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