[Rover] HamIM: Rover Instant Messaging

[Ev Tupis (W2EV)]

Dave Wendling wrote:
> > Are you looking for that last tool to gain an advantage in the January
> > VHF SS?
> > Visit http://w2ev.rochesterny.org and take the hyperlink for HamIM.
> >
> Hi Ev,
> Any idea how many contesters are planning on using HamIN? I think I will
> give it a go in my Red Rover this January.

I can tell you that there are THREE HamIM-ready fixed-location stations (with
6-bands or more) in Western New York (K2AXX-FN12, N2JMH-FN13 (ex-psycho rover)
and W2EV-FN03).  If a Rover comes here, we'll find them F-A-S-T and be back to
CQing traditionally.  As they travel from FN13 to FN03, we'll do it all again. 
Ditto from FN03 to FN02 and again from FN02 to FN12.

If there are any VE3 rovers who care to venture to FN04 and FN14, they can rest
assured that they will be found using HamIM, too.  Three years ago, I caught a
VE3 quite by accident (no one was expecting them, they just showed up).  What
makes this remarkable is that -- sadly -- we don't point our SSB beams at Canada
as often as we should.  Their lower-power rovers get easily overlooked.  In this
case, the rover operated MANUALLY!  They didn't have a full GPS-based system. 
They simply had a packet TNC with a properly formatted frame that they manually
sent several times when they got to their location!  That got our attention
using HamIM enough to swing our beams and find them on SSB!  Note: split
frequency operation is allowed for VHF contesting...we do it all the time when
we say "K1TR...down 10" and then make the QSO there.

All of this without any third-party assistance or use of spotting networks!

So...all I can say is that Western New York will be ready for any Rovers who
employ this strategy!  I can also say that Rover-to-Rover HamIM can be a very
powerful force, too.  You all move around so much, this would be an easy way to
make sure you don't simply "pass silently in the night". :))

Kind regards,
Ev, W2EV





-- 
PropNET: If the band is open and no one is TXing, does anyone hear it?
HamIM  : Messaging the all-ham way, find Rovers as they go to play.
         That HamIM, that HamIM -- I'm sure you'll like that HamIM.
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Ask me about either.  I'll send a URL and you can join the fun, too!