[CQ-Contest] SO2R -- revised opinion?

[Bill Turner]

At 02:09 PM 11/11/2005, K0HB wrote:

>Contesting --- really competitive contesting --- is all about trying to
>develop skills that will be difficult for the other players to duplicate,
>thus tilting the playing field in your favor.  SO2R is such a skill, and
>asking for rules protection because some other guy is more skilled seems to
>me the antithesis of radiosport.

Your argument makes sense and if it were solely a matter of skill, I 
wouldn't disagree. I like to emphasize knowledge of propagation, 
strategy and operating technique. To me, those are the heart of ham 
radio. Piling on more hardware in the form of a second radio is fine 
for those who like it, but IMO, actually takes away from the skill 
and strategy required. For instance, the SO2R op doesn't have to 
worry about when to change bands. He's changing bands continuously so 
when a band opens up, he's already there. A no-brainer. Likewise the 
decision to run or S&P... he's already doing both.



>I've tried SO2R and I simply don't have the knack of pulling it off, but I
>admire the sportsmen who can.  Best I can manage is SO1.5R --- should I
>lobby for such a category?


You can lobby for any category you like. I don't think you'd find 
much support for that one, unlike the one vs two radio issue.

73, Bill W6WRT