[CQ-Contest] SO2R Technique

[sawyered at earthlink.net]

A great question and one that has no "fixed" answer.  I can only offer comment for myself.

First of all, I NEVER use auto CQ.  It keeps me awake in the middle of the night for one.  Secondly, the timing of SO2R is always changing and an AUTO CQ, just doesn't fit in my opinion.  I hit F1, when the timing is right...all the time.  Sometimes the timing is right after someone is showing up on your frequency.  Sometimes the timing is waiting quite a while during the radio 2 pick-off of a Q.  All the time, I am monitoring the CQ frequency.  There are times where holding your run frequency is SO Important that you simply cannot risk losing it to a second radio Q (unless maybe it is a double mult in CQ WW).

The answer to losing your run frequency during SO2R (again in my opinion) is a combination of the following:

- be aware of this fluid timing by NOT using Auto CQ.
- if someone makes even a "dit" on your run frequency, abandon the second radio Q and immediately fit F1 (at least twice).  This means the second radio guy is going "?" and wonders where you went.
- You need to know whether to fight or change on the run frequency "grab".  Know if you are LOUD.  I am pretty loud in EU and I am not going to lose a run freq battle too much of the time (especially if the grabber knows that he just jumped on me).  But a few years ago if I didn't get someone to move with a few tries, I would move.  It is important to know where you stand on this.  Most, not all, will move if they know that they jumped in and your signal is loud enough to prevent them from doing a good run.  Keep in mind that the tighter your filters are the easier this method is.

Have fun.

Ed  N1UR