[CQ-Contest] M/S 10 Meter Contest - Question for Entrants

[Bob Naumann - N5NJ]

I began my previous comment stating that I personally don't like
multi-single much, and Igor correctly cites one of the main reasons why.

> 10 minute rule criples MS cathegory and makes it boring. In fact single op
> using 2 radio and not tied up with 10 minute rule limitation may have
> advantage over MS when the rate is slow.

Multi-single was originally where one radio was to be used by multiple
operators taking turns.  Multiple operators - Single Transmitter - simple!

Some time ago, someone got the bright idea to bring a second radio to the
multi-single operation.  They then discovered that if they used both of them
at the same time, but interweaved their transmissions, they could transmit
on only one radio at a time, but still work stations on more than one band
at a time.  They developed an interlock system that allowed them to run
stations on two bands at once, and work more stations, even with the
interlock, than they would have with only one.

The original single transmitters' rate would be reduced, but together, it
exceeded what one could do alone.  It's easy to see this because if you had
say a rate of 50 on one band, and by interlocking two transmitters, you now
had two rigs producing a rate of 30 for example, 30+30=60 which is a 20%
improvement in rate overall.  This improvement certainly would increase
their final score.

More radios could be added to this interlock system, and this is what is
fondly called the "octopus" system.  This, while really cool, and certainly
resulting in higher scores, was clearly not competing on the same playing
field as the guys that really had one radio.

The reason for the 10 minute rule, along with the one signal at a time
requirement is to prevent the multi-single entrant from operating
essentially as a somewhat limited multi-multi, while still competing in the
multi-single class.  The ten minute rule serves to somewhat "level the
playing field".

Aside from CQWW, in my opinion, multi-single is pretty boring for the guys
who are not on "the radio" at the time.

Nonetheless, there are those operations that are really multi-singles - and
people who really enjoy it.  That is, there is one transmitter, and multiple
operators.  The multi-single category is for these guys to compete in along
with restrictions like the 10 minute rule.

A real multi-single can be a lot of fun for the guys who cannot operate
full-time, or just want to get together and do a little contesting with
their friends from one of their single op stations.  They can compete fairly
well within the rules as is - maybe being somewhat within reach of the
winners' scores.  Granted, in CQWW where it's less boring, you need more
than one transmitter to be competitive.

If we want to have a pseudo multi-2 operation replace multi-single as we all
know and despise it, why put the real multi-single guys at a total
disadvantage?

I say, leave multi-single as-is, and either add multi-2 to these contests,
or create another new category to allow those of us with the additional
hardware and inclination to do more than what the current multi-single rules
allow.  Also, apply the 10 minute rule on 10 meter contest multi-single mode
changes.

Either that, or really get serious and operate multi-multi !

73,

Bob N5NJ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Igor Sokolov" <ua9cdc at mail.ur.ru>
To: "Bob Naumann - N5NJ" <n5nj at gte.net>; "Contest Reflector"
<cq-contest at contesting.com>

>  I think the only limitation for the MS should be 1 signal at a time. 10
> minute rule criples MS cathegory and makes it boring. In fact single op
> using 2 radio and not tied up with 10 minute rule limitation may have
> advantage over MS when the rate is slow.
> 10 minute rule lowers MS activity on the not so well populated bands and
> make contest less interesting for all the participants.
> At the same time it is so easy to make provision for the ONLY ONE SIGNAL
AT
> A TIME with just relays that control PTT line of all the radios.
>
> 73, Igor UA9CDC


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