[CQ-Contest] SO2R Again

[Bill Coleman]

On Nov 23, 2004, at 10:38 PM, David Hachadorian wrote:

> I think Bill understates the cost requirement. If you
> are considering
> a jump to SO2R, you probably have already come a long
> way in building
> your SO1R station.

Maybe not. Maybe there's just so much you can do with your SO1R 
station, and going to a second radio is the next logical step.

> If your going to do SO2R, you may as
> well do it correctly right off the bat.

The whole point of this thread is that no everyone can afford to do 
that. I'd like to do a "correct" installation, complete with stacked 
monobanders that I can switch between radios, but I can't afford that. 
So, I make do with my tribander at 15m, a vertical, and a few wires.

> Sooner or later, you aregoing to end
> up with an equipment configuration that looks like
> this:

For me it will be much later. As I can't afford all this gear.

> 2nd Radio. It should be the same model as your first
> radio,
> but let's say you can get by with a used TS-850. -
> $800

I'm using a TS-430S. It was a radio that I've had since 1985.

> 2nd Amplifier. It should have 160, and be reliable. You
> won't be happy for long doing S&P at low power, getting beat
> by the high power boys. Let's assume you can find an amp
> for $1000.

I don't even have a FIRST amplifier. I do OK with the second radio, 
because I mainly search for strong stations to reply to.

> Antenna Switch. You need an antenna switch that will
> distribute
> several antennas to two radios. You won't often find
> these used.
> Assume a new WX0B Six-Pak, or equiv. at $400.

Naw. I have a much simpler arrangement. I've got some antennas I can 
use with the main rig, some I can use with the second rig, and one 
dipole I can switch between.

W4AN had a very simple arrangement that used a couple of six-antenna 
selectors and six two-way selectors. New manual switches of this type 
would cost less than $150. A scrounger could find them for less.

> Bandpass Filters. Unless you have a large amount of
> real estate, with widely separated antennas, you are going to need
> bandpass filters for each radio. You won't be happy switching
> individual band filters every time you switch bands, so you really
> do need two six-band boxes, such as the Dunestar 600's, or
> equiv. - $678 for two.

One advantage of low power is that you don't need bandpass filters. I 
can't normally hear the main radio in the second radio.

> Band decoders. You won't be happy for long, switching
> the Bandpass Filters manually, so you need two band decoders, such
> as the Top Ten units, or equiv. $250 for two.

No filters, no decoders needed.

> Two radio controller. You can build one yourself, but
> it is a pain in the neck, and won't look as good as a commercial
> unit. It may not work as well either.

Built mine from parts in my junk box. Works great. Looks good.

>  Bite the bullet, and buy a
> commercial one,
> such as the WX0B unit, or equiv. - $362
> (2004 update - Top Ten unit - less expensive I think?)

Well, I did go buy one 3PDT toggle switch so I can wire up for CW SO2R. 
It was $6, but I'm not skilled enough with CW to be able to use it.

> More antennas. Chances are you will need more antennas
> to be able to
> S&P and CQ on any combination of bands. Figure at least
> another small
> tower, tribander, and rotor. Estate sale price - $1000.

Well, I got that put up for my main radio. The second radio just uses 
an R7000 and a dipole.

> The total of the above items is $4490.

Naw, all you need is a $500 radio and some switches.

> Now, if you are an astute shopper, you may be able to
> beat those
> prices, but not by much.

I think I beat it by a heck of a lot!

This is the perpetual myth of SO2R -- that it requires two complete, 
expensive station installations plus a lot of money for switching and 
filtering. So, the only guys that run SO2R must have a multi-kilo-buck 
radio budget, right?

It just isn't so.

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901