[NLRS] Reverberations of Rovermania ?

[W0ZQ at aol.com]

In the May 2005 QST, David Sumner, K1ZZ, in his "It Seems To Us ..."  section 
talks about operating out of the house.   Its a fun  read.   In his article 
he goes on to state that summertime brings us  plenty of opportunities to do 
just that, then goes on to list the June VHF  contest, the UHF contest, 10GHz & 
Up, and the September VHF contest as such  opportunites to try something new 
(along with FD).
 
Regarding the UHF contest, he says;
"The UHF Contest on the first weekend of August.  This year there's a  
concerted effort being made to activate "rovers" - portable and mobile stations  
that operate from multiple locations over the 24-hour contest  period.   This one 
ends early on Sunday afternoon so you can combine  some operating with a 
family outing."
 
Wow.  I did a double take.   Not only a mention of the UHF  contest, a 
contest that is thought to be dead, but an endorsement of its  virtues, and by the 
League's President no less.    Pretty cool,  huh.  We've got some support in 
high places.   And  what's this about a "... concerted effort being made to 
activate rovers..."  ?    Rovermania baby !   That's us !
 
Some of you may be aware of a letter that I sent out to 27 ARRL  affiliated 
clubs last month regarding the UHF contest and Rovermania ..... a  copy of it 
is attached below.    The letter states that the  NLRS generated strong growth 
in our clubs region through Rovermania, and  that they can to.    What a great 
success story if we (NLRS) can  work push/pull with the League to continue to 
generate interest and activity in  this fun event.
 
Regarding Rovermania, come to Aurora '05 to hear all about Rovermania I,  how 
we are looking forward to Rovermania II (The Mayhem Continues), and how you  
can be a part of this action.
 
73, Jon
W0ZQ


Hello fellow VHF/UHF & microwave club members.  This open  letter is being
sent to the contact name for 27 ARRL affiliated clubs who  have submitted
club aggregate scores during 2004.  These 27 clubs, along  with the Northern
Lights Radio Society (NLRS), represent nearly 5,000 VHF  contesters.   The
purpose of the letter is to solicit your support  for the 2005 ARRL UHF
contest.

In 2004 the NLRS advanced the concept  of  "Rovermania" for the ARRL's
August UHF contest.  Rovermania was  born at our annual Spring Conference in
April.  During the summer months  it quickly became a point of discussion
and planning on our clubs  reflector.  Check out our 2004 Rovermania
planning at our club's website  at
http://www.nlrs.org/RoverPlans/2004-08/RoverMania.htm .

The   results?   Check out the contest write up  at
http://www.remote.arrl.org/members-only/contests/results/2004/Aug-UHF/   .
Overall, the contest saw an increase of 29 logs (from 140 in 2003 to 169  in
2004).   Of this increase, 13 were from Dakota Division, 2 were  from the
Central Division, and 7 were from the Midwest Division, all areas of  NLRS
influence.  These 22 logs represent about 75% of the growth from  2003 to
2004.

Its clear that Rovermania had a significant impact on  growth, but that
growth was only regional, and this is where the purpose of  this letter
comes in.   I would like to strongly encourage your  club to sponsor your
own version of Rovermania in your area.   What  might that involve ?
1.  Take a look at the NLRS link above to see how  we organized in our area.
2.  Make an announcement at your club  function, club meeting, or club
breakfast.  Take on the challenge of  increasing logs.   Find a Rovermania
champion for your  club.
3.  Encourage sharing of rover ideas,  equipment, locations,  etc.
4.  Promote the event within your club.

For 2005 the NLRS  will once again be sponsoring Rovermania for our club
(actually Rovermania  II) in parallel with the ARRL's August UHF contest.
We plan to have even more  rovers in the field this year with more bands.
I think  all of you know  how exciting a contest can be when there is one
well equipped rover operating  in your area.  Now think of three such
rovers, five, seven,  ten.

The NLRS will be posting this letter onto our website  at
http://www.nlrs.org/ , probably as part of our Rovermania II  planning.   I
hope to hear back from each of you and your club as  to your thoughts about
supporting the UHF contest and Rovermania.    I would be glad to post any 
such replies on our website for all clubs to   see.

Share this open letter with others whom you think may be  interested.  Lets
make the 2005 ARRL UHF contest one to   remember.   Be a champion for
Rovermania in your area and lets  demonstrate the same regional growth we
had  nationally.

73,
W0ZQ
President, NLRS.


Club List:   Mt. Airy VHF Radio Club, Rochester VHF Group, Potomac Valley
Radio Club,  North East Weak Signal  Group, South Mountain Contest Club,
Society of  Midwest Contesters, Pacific Northwest VHF Society, Western
States Weak Signal  Society, Badger Contesters, Yankee Clipper Contest
Club, Florida Contest  Group, Mad River Radio Club, Crawford County ARC,
Contest Club Ontario, South  Jersey Radio Association, Carolina DX
Association, Northern California  Contest Club, Bergen ARA, Tennessee
Contest Group, Warminster ARC, Delaware  Valley VHF Society, Eastern
Panhandle ARC, North Texas Microwave Society,  Roadrunners Microwave Group,
Grand Mesa Contesters of Colorado, Downey ARC,  Dauberville DX Association

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