Zack Widup wrote:
>
> >
> >I was reading an old NCJ yesterday with an article by W9IOP that was
> >originally published in 1960. The article was titled, "How to beat the
> >winners" and was full of useful tips for operating SS. As I understand it,
> >W9IOP and W4KFC were the kingpins of SS in those days and into the early
> >70's.
> >
> >I began to ponder the psyche of these operators and I, with some amazement,
> >realized that (at least as far as said article goes) there was no mention of
> >"two radio" operating. I'm quite sure that they both had at least two radios
> >(stations) so that wasn't the limiting factor. Of course, computers were
> >essentially non-existent, but I don't really think that would be a limiting
> >factor cuz some of us that dabble with 2 radios today aren't interfaced and
> >it definitely would have been a competitive advantage then as now.
> >
> >With memory keyers/tapes and such they coulda CQ'd with one radio while
> >searching for new meat on a different band.
> >
> >So what was it, why wasn't this operating technique used before computers by
> >the top ops? (maybe it was, but if it wasn't was it because):
> >
> >(1) Never thought of it?
> >
> >(2) Competition didn't require it (could win w/o it)?
> >
>
> These are just my two cents:
>
> Probably (1) or (2). If no one was using two radios, then no one would
> need two radios, as they were on an even playing field with all the
> competition in at least this respect. So along the same lines, maybe no
> one even thought of it.
>
> Does anyone know when the first time was that two radios were used (other
> than in VHF contests when 4 or 5 radios are sometimes used at once)?
>
> Zack W9SZ
>
> --
>
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Hi all
The thing that I remember about the sweepstakes contests when I lived in
Canada in the early 50's was that most stations were separate TX and RX
with a push button on the TX for VFO spotting. Many of the top operators
like Larry W9IOP (I was in awe of his abilities behind a vibroplex) would
actually move their live sigs ... about 2KW's worth onto a freq to call
you .... so you began to hear your call as the other guy was zeroing on
your freq for a split second... almost a moving target! The other things
I remember about them was the "glass arm" that developed after 15 or 20
hours when you attempted to send W1FH and your sent !&?, and wondered who
had disconected your arm from your your brain. Failures of gear in those
days went with the territory and sometimes one ended up rebuilding a
radio to get back on the air. Johnson Viking Rangers and Viking II's
ruled along with Collins 75A1's and NC183D's.
I have to admit.... they were great times.... but today's gear is better!
73 de Lee ZL2AL
--
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L. F. (Lee) Jennings ZL2AL - ex ZL8RI, ZL7AA, VE3LJ, VE3OE
"The worst day of DXing is infinitely better than the best day working"
"Ham radio is not so much a hobby as a way of life"
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