[NLRS] Possible VHF rule changes & roving

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

Not only does self spotting add hardware to be exposed to the elements 
for a rover, but there are lots of places around where certain telephone 
services don't have connections. GSM cell phones don't connect in north 
central and northwest Iowa, and probably not SW Minnesota. Mobile data 
services are spotty and more expensive at home than my phone coop's 
fiber to the home which gives much speedier service than Verizon ever 
did (except at 3 AM).

2M APRS can be annoying while working VHF/UHF and ideally the digi 
peater path may have to be changed as one roves.

Disappearing from posts or from APRS can be a disadvantage to the rover 
in a new grid when that disappearance makes it look like the rover has 
quit. And that may be false negative from just getting out of range of 
data service or APRS digipeaters.

How about changing the VHF rover grid rules to match the 10G+ rover 
rules, 10 miles or the adjacent or second 6 digit grid. Having to go 69 
or 100 miles after working all the available VHF (neglecting 6m) 
stations fron the four spots of a grid corner on a VHF contest sure 
inhibits my thoughts of roving other than 10G+. Driving an hour or two 
is not productive at all.

73, Jerry, K0CQ

On 11/13/2014 1:39 PM, Jon Platt via NLRS wrote:
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> Self spotting represents an added degree of complexity for a rover.  Yet more stuff to take.  2m APRS?   I have used it on a few occasions.  Does anyone have any experience with using their smart phone with an app going direct (ie, via cell, no 2m) ?  What app have they used and what kind of data usage to they see charged against their plan?
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> 73, Jon
> W0ZQ
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