This rover was actually old enough to have existed briefly before the rover class
rules were added to the VHF contest rules. One of the best roves done with it included
a stop at a ski 'mountain' in North central Indiana where the three of us in the rover
had a lot of fun operating. I'm glad the ARRL created the unlimited Rover class.
We had great fun before the Rover rules with three in a Rover, now it can happen again.
There has been a lot of discussion of various events that have occured during roves on
the VHF reflectors. Three events that happened to rovers in this van are worth noting.
On I57 near Marion Illinois, about four hours before a June contest started, the right
rear wheel came off the rover at 65 MPH. I was in the left lane and ended up in the
center median, where we watched the wheel & tire roll by, still on the highway.
Thanks to a tow truck and a great mechanic we were back on the road about an hour after
the contest started. When we got back after the contest, I replaced the aluminum rims
on the van and never had a loose wheel again.
Another year we started the van and left it running to charge the batteries for a
while before the contest started. When we climbed in the van was full of carbon monoxide
which we didn't immediately realize. After both nearly losing conciousness we stopped,
opened all the doors, and aired it out. This is something that anyone who stops and
leaves the engine running has to watch out for.
Later on that same trip the third interesting incident occured. We were chased out
of a marajuana field in Western Kentucky by three well armed 'farmers' in a pick-up
truck. They followed us for miles after we left the spot where we had started setting up.
There were no NO TRESPASSING signs, no fences, no hint of private property along the
road we were on. Just three 'good ol' boys' with 12 Ga. shotguns and a desire to be left alone...
.
© Copyright 2007 by James C. Smith - All Rights Reserved
This site is owned by Jim
Smith
