I've seen many contests define mobile as something like being able to legally move and broadcast. Well, using an HT while walking I can legally move. Does this count as mobile contacts for a contest?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
6
asked Dec 15, 2014 at 11:09
-
3$\begingroup$ Wouldn't that depend on the contest? $\endgroup$– Phil Frost - W8IICommented Dec 15, 2014 at 13:16
-
1$\begingroup$ Probably, but the rules I've seen don't cover this point in general, it seems implied. $\endgroup$– PearsonArtPhotoCommented Dec 15, 2014 at 13:38
-
1$\begingroup$ Walking around at your QTH would still be considered 'base station' rather than mobile. $\endgroup$– captchaCommented Dec 15, 2014 at 21:41
-
$\begingroup$ What if out in a park? $\endgroup$– PearsonArtPhotoCommented Dec 15, 2014 at 21:53
-
1$\begingroup$ Sounds in need of a flow chart... $\endgroup$– PearsonArtPhotoCommented Dec 16, 2014 at 21:40
|
Show 1 more comment
2 Answers
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
Insofar as there is an agreed-upon definition of the term “mobile” (and “portable”, which is closely related/confusable and so I'm covering it here), this is how I have most frequently seen the terms used when people are being precise about it:
Portable: A station set up in a temporary location.
If you've parked a radio on a picnic table and strung a wire antenna to a tree, you're operating portable.
In some contexts there may be the additional implication of being a significant distance from your home location.
Mobile: A station which is capable of being operated while in motion.
The most common type of “mobile” is a station installed in a car/truck. For other means of transportation, you usually hear it qualified as “pedestrian mobile”, “bicycle mobile”, “maritime mobile”, etc.
I've never seen anyone say that pedestrian mobile isn't a kind of mobile. So, to the first question you asked, Is using an HT and walking considered mobile, I say “yes”. (And practically, however you're labeled, you've taken on the limitations of a mobile station — small antenna, no earth ground, battery power, etc.)
But in any specific actual contest — if the rules aren't clear, ask for clarification. It's the opinion of the contest organizers that actually matters.
answered Dec 16, 2014 at 22:20
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
When I hear people operating portable, they are usually outside and walking or biking through town with an HT. More often then not they are also outside their QTH's grid square.
