[FQP]Mobile Categories

[Jim White, K4OJ]

Hal,

As one of the ackonwledged experts at the QSO Paty game your input is 
much appreciated!

I know I value your input and welcome others to also contribute thier 
thoughts... the day when the FCG had a lunch meeting in Melbourne at 
Francos Ristorante we opened the topic of what if the FCG were to 
sponsor the Florida QSO Party was a momentous one.  We had voices from 
every walk of operator there and it showed... we had CW guys, phone 
guys, QRP guys - super station owners and guys who had never HF mobiled 
(including me!)

Out of that "think tank" we learned that few have acquired the taste for 
anchovies on a pizza and a basic set of guidelines as to how to shape 
the rules of a good state QSO Party we all would participate in!

There have only been minor changes to the rules, including several years 
ago when we re-thought the weighting of the QRP multiplier.  We made a 
change to the QSO Party rules at that time, and in keeping with a desire 
to have the records mean something the previous years scores were 
re-weighted as far as the "records" were concerned - it would not be 
fair to ask a new guy to compete against a record set when a different 
set of rules were in force!  Not many sponsors will do something as 
momentous as this - it ain't an easy undertaking but, for the FCG it 
meant we stayed the course as far as having a quality product... sorta 
ISO2000 I think, George!

If there should be a change to the mobile single operator category I 
would anticipate we would asterik the records noting that potential 
difference.

I think I speak for the club in saying that we are open to ideas for 
improving the FQP and while we may not adopt a given idea it does not 
mean we do not want to hear of it.  As a club we will decide to either 
incorporate or not incorporate any changes to the FQP.

My take thus far:

Mobile operations:

Single Op Unassisted Driving - A single individual performs all 
operating functions and also does all of the driving of the mobile vehicle.

Single Op Assisted Driving - A single operator performs all operating 
functions but has an assistant that drives the mobile.  The driver may 
not perform or assist in any of the operating done by the entrant... 
failure to follow these guidleines will result in the entry being 
recategorized as a Mobile Multioperator entry.

I.E. the Duck and Doc Categories....

73,

Jim, K4OJ









Hal Offutt wrote:
> Ron, Jim, Tom and Everyone,
> 
> Discussion you want, discussion you get, Ron.  I'm happy that you FCGers
> are willing to consider rule refinements to make the FQP better.
> 
> I studied the current FQP rules and here's my take on this.  The FQP has two
> mobile classes:  "single operator" and "multi operator."  If my
> understanding is correct, both categories permit two bodies in the car and
> allow someone to operate and someone else to drive. The only real difference
> is that in the "multi operator" category, the ops get to switch off.  In
> terms of competition, these two styles of mobile operating are essentially
> the same:  both have a devoted driver and a devoted operator.  In two ten
> hour contests like the FQP, operator fatigue is not a major factor, so it is
> fully conceivable that under the current rules, a "single operator" could
> beat a "multi operator."
> 
> The problem is that these two categories provide no place for the operator
> who either likes to do everything by him/herself or can't find a driver and
> has no choice but to go out on his/her own.  If these folks have to compete
> against mobiles who have full time drivers, it is, as Tom points out, very
> unfair.
> 
> I would argue that in mobile contesting, the major distinction is whether
> there is one person in the car or more than one person in the car, not
> whether there is only one radio op or more than one radio op.  If you are
> to have two categories (which the FQP justifiably has), I think it makes
> sense to separate them in this fashion.
> 
> Therefore, I would suggest that the current "single operator" category be
> defined as Tom suggests:  one person doing everything.  I'm am not
> suggesting the creation of a new category, just a refinement in the
> definition of the current "single operator" category. That's pretty much
> what it is anyway, from what I can see.
> 
> Solo mobiling is a learned skill very much like SO2R.  It takes a lot of
> experience to get good at it.  Some ops never feel that they can drive and
> operate so they minimize their driving and spend most of the contest parked
> somewhere.  They will usually hang out near four county intersections and
> try to work all the bands and modes before moving into the next county.  (In
> last year's PAQP, by design I only drove 140 miles during the 22 hour
> contest.)  Others drive and operate mostly on back roads where there is
> little traffic and record everything on tape recorders, voice recorders, or
> whatever.  The solution you come up with is part of your own operating
> technique and your bag of tricks.  Obviously safety is an issue, as it is
> with multi operators.  Mobiles should be required to obey the speed limits
> and other traffic rules and always put safety first.
> 
> I hope this adds something to the discussion.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Hal W1NN
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron Wetjen" <wd4ahz at gte.net>
> To: "Florida QSO Party" <fqp at kkn.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 7:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [FQP]Mobile Categories
> 
> 
> 
>>Tom Horton wrote:
>>
>>
>>> As an old county hunter mobiler like Charlie and Ed (KN4Y), I totally
>>>agree with you!
>>>Single operator meaans just that, in my opinion.
>>
>>What you want is a distinction/clarification between single op/single
>>driver ... and single op/with driver?
>>
>>I don't know how many actually do single op/with driver ... but this
>>hasn't come up before.  (I think there may have been a couple rare
>>instances in the past.)
>>
>>If it's something that needs to be addressed, share your thoughts!
>>We're open and willing to discuss changes and clarifications to the
>>rules ... and any proposed changes are carefully considered, and
>>discussed among FCG members, before a decision is made.
>>
>>This is "our" QSO Party - both the Florida guys AND the out-of-staters
>>who keep coming back and supporting it ... so what ever makes it fair,
>>equitable, and enjoyable for EVERYONE is our main goal and objective.
>>
>>Let the discussions begin ...
>>
>>Ron
>>
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> 
> 
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