My golly, Joe, how do you REALLY feel about those of us who contest, for
whatever reason, with one radio?
73,
Rusty, na5tr
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <w4tv@subich.com>
To: "'Paul E. Dorey'" <wn6k@wn6k.cts.com>; "'Dennis Vernacchia'"
<n6ki73@gmail.com>; "'Lee Buller'" <k0wa@swbell.net>
Cc: "'Tom Haavisto'" <ve3cx@shaw.ca>; <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 2:32 AM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] SO2R
>
> SO1R is the lazy person's contesting ... it is contesting with
> one hand tied behind one's back, listening with one ear and
> entering with half a mind.
>
> Competition is maximizing one's effort and results, not artificially
> limiting one's capabilities.
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com
>> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Paul E. Dorey
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 6:18 PM
>> To: 'Dennis Vernacchia'; 'Lee Buller'
>> Cc: 'Tom Haavisto'; cq-contest@contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] SO2R
>>
>>
>> SO2R is SO1R on STEROIDS and the reporting should be with an Asterisk.
>>
>>
>>
>> WN6K, Paul - SO1R because:
>>
>> 1) I only have one brain
>>
>> 2) I have a limited budget
>>
>> 3) List any and other excuses here
>>
>>
>>
>> ped
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Dennis Vernacchia [mailto:n6ki73@gmail.com]
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 14:59
>> To: Lee Buller
>> Cc: cq-contest@contesting.com; Tom Haavisto
>> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] SO2R
>>
>>
>>
>> ...and remember....
>>
>> It is "NO" , and I quote from previous extensive threads on
>> this an other
>> reflectors,
>> "NO great advantage", ( like turning on packet when one is a
>> single Op...
>> which of course launches U into another Class)
>>
>> Most of the guys who make the rules for the contests are
>> running it and and
>> of course clobber
>> the majority of guys that run SO1R, who, for whatever reason....
>> ( some don't have the money or technical expertise or have
>> decided the
>> contest is no longer fun doing ) ....don't want to or can't run SO2R
>>
>> Putting SO2R into it's own category has been beat to death,
>> ( So please don't restart that worn out thread ) but if you
>> are planning
>> to WIN some contests in the future...U better get going with SO2R
>>
>> A couple years ago, on this or a similar reflector, I
>> suggested, that, at
>> minimum, to stop the threads for
>> hemorrhaging over this subject, SO1R or SO2R be listed in a
>> separate column
>> in all the results
>> and, amazingly or coincidently, shortly thereafter, there was
>> a box to check
>> whether you ran SO2R in your
>> score reporting...BUT there still is no column in results
>> showing that info
>>
>> I am not a computer programmer but I suspect that when this
>> info is inputed
>> to the score reporting web sites that
>> this is just another piece of data, like a score or how many
>> QSOS, mults
>> etc., than can be parsed out and automatically put in
>> a column with score rumors and final results.
>> (To those hard working hams that are doing these columns by hand, my
>> apologies as
>> I know that would cause you MORE work !)
>>
>> Why is this important ? Well many contestors never get to the winner's
>> circle and maybe setout, as one of their
>> goals, to beat their own scores. Well, it would be nice to
>> know when one who
>> is running SO1R looks in the results,
>> how well they did against other SO1R Ops.
>>
>> It would sure be interesting if someone who is very computer
>> and programming
>> saavy, ( and I am not )
>> take on the task of setting up a poll of for all contestors
>> to actually VOTE
>> on whether SO2R be broken into it's own Category Class
>> and not leave it just an opinion of those who make the Rules for the
>> contests.
>>
>> Next time you got to the auto race track, see if they run
>> the guys with
>> Turbo-Charges on their engines in same class as those
>> without. Do they always win the race against non
>> turbo-charged guys ...not
>> always... but you can bet they are
>> in the winner's circle 80 or 90 percent of the time.
>>
>> Looking at the Score rumors for NAQP SSB last weekend, I see that I am
>> currently in 10 th place ( SO LP ) and I also just happen to
>> know that most of the guys who are ahead of me were running
>> SO2R, but it
>> would be nice to see the SO1R/SO2R data listed in a column
>> as we DID enter it in the score reporting. ( Again my
>> apologies for possibly
>> causing more work to those doing the reports )
>>
>> Bottom line, I don't expect SO2R will be going onto it's own
>> class anytime
>> soon if ever but as service to those us us who
>> bust their hump doing SO1R, the least that should hopefully
>> occur soemtime
>> down the road, is that, the column with SO1R or SO2R be listed !
>>
>> I think that by breaking this info out we stand a chance to
>> get even more
>> newbies to come into the fray and enjoyment of contesting.
>> Case in point, Tri-band, Single Element Category that has been very
>> successful in enticing hams with meager stations to start entering
>> contests ! )
>>
>> ( No, we don't need to start creating a myriad of new
>> categories but this
>> SO1R/SO2R if not a class should
>> at minimum be reported in listings if at all possible )
>>
>> 73, Dennis N6KI
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 22, 2008 7:02 AM, Tom Haavisto <ve3cx@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Lee
>>
>> First off, I don't think there is a book on SO2R, and no, I
>> didn't write it.
>> I have been away from ham radio and contesting for a number
>> of years, and
>> upon returning was hit with all this talk of SO2R. I did
>> quite a bit of
>> research on the Internet to get up to speed. With that out
>> of the way, I
>> recently joined the ranks of SO2R, and will be happy to share my
>> experiences.
>>
>> First off - SO2R - as its name implies - Single Operator, 2
>> Radio. The
>> first thing you need to know going in is - this is somewhat
>> of a money pit.
>> Just when you think you have all the pieces, you will need a
>> few more. And
>> then a few more. Not trying to discourage you, but think -
>> two radios, two
>> amps, audio switching, filters, along with additional antennas and
>> feedlines. It is a big step - make sure you are using one
>> radio for all its
>> worth before adding in a second one. If you want the best
>> bang for your
>> buck - think better (and more) antennas FIRST.
>>
>> SO2R is not a magic bullet to improve your score. It is a
>> tool that you
>> need to learn how to use. When you get good at it, your scores will
>> improve. At the same time, you will be a more proficient
>> operator - also
>> leading to improved scores.
>>
>> The first thing you will need is a second rig. Naturally, it
>> will need an
>> antenna - even a long wire will do for starters. Next, we
>> need a way to
>> listen to it, and the main rig at the same time. This is where stereo
>> headphones come in. Several people developed a variety of
>> home-made boxes
>> to handle audio, but the easiest is to buy a commercial box. The box
>> connects both radios to a headset and your computer. Next,
>> we need a way to
>> select the antenna(s). Most people use a box call a Six
>> Pack. This is a
>> six port antenna switch with two outputs (one for each
>> radio). There is a
>> built-in interlock so you cannot connect both radios to the
>> same antenna
>> (think blown front end).
>>
>> Next, we need some filters. When transmitting on one radio,
>> the antenna on
>> the second rig will pick up some RF. Too much RF = blown
>> front end. To
>> prevent this from happening, you need some filters - either
>> coax stubs, or
>> commercial filters. Naturally, you need one for each radio,
>> and a way to
>> automatically select the right filter at the right time for
>> each radio. You
>> will need a band decoder to help automate the process.
>>
>> If you want to run high power, you may want/need a second
>> amp. See what I
>> mean about a money pit?
>>
>> Last, but not least, once you put it all together, you need
>> to train your
>> brain to use it. One radio (usually the one on the left)
>> will be your run
>> radio. Ideally, you can run stations proficiently on it.
>> While doing that,
>> start listening to the second radio and hunt for multipliers.
>>
>> The first time you try, you will make a mess of it. I ended
>> up hunting with
>> both radios - while waiting for one guy to finish, I would
>> hunt with the
>> other. I think my score went down instead of up! It takes time, and
>> practice, practice, practice. The really good SO2R ops have
>> been at it for
>> years. Don't try and get fancy - just try and get the hang of it, and
>> develop your own style.
>>
>> But - as Jose CT1BOH commented - after you do SO2R, there is
>> no more SO1R!
>> It is addictive and adds a whole dimension of fun to
>> contesting. The trick
>> is to become good at it. In reading some stores, some folks
>> are running 150
>> plus QSO's on the run radio (2-3 QSOs/minute) while
>> hunting/working with the
>> second. Naturally, this comes after much practice, and is
>> just one more
>> tool in the proficient operators toolbox.
>>
>>
>> Hope this helps!
>>
>> Tom - VE3CX
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Lee Buller <k0wa@swbell.net>
>> Date: Monday, January 21, 2008 3:27 pm
>> Subject: [CQ-Contest] SO2R
>> To: CQcontest Reflector <cq-contest@contesting.com>
>>
>> > Who wrote the book on SO2R and where can I find one?
>> >
>> > I am looking for information concerning building and operating
>> > such a station....not a mega station...but one that is modest in
>> > size. Well, it needs to fit on a city lot.
>> >
>> > Lee - K0WA
>> >
>> >
>> > In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short
>> > supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some
>> > Common Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common
>> > Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common
>> > Sense. Is Common Sense divine?
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > CQ-Contest mailing list
>> > CQ-Contest@contesting.com
>> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>> >
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