[CQ-Contest] SO2R

Tue Jan 22 18:18:03 EST 2008

SO2R is SO1R on STEROIDS and the reporting should be with an Asterisk.

WN6K, Paul - SO1R because:

1)     I only have one brain

2)     I have a limited budget

3)     List any and other excuses here

ped

-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Vernacchia [mailto:n6ki73 at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 14:59
To: Lee Buller
Cc: cq-contest at contesting.com; Tom Haavisto
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] SO2R

...and remember....

It is "NO" , and I quote from previous extensive threads on this an other
reflectors,
"NO great advantage", ( like turning on packet when one is a single Op...
which of course launches U into another Class) 

Most of the guys who make the rules for the contests are running it and and
of course clobber
the majority of guys that run SO1R, who,  for whatever reason....
( some don't have the money or technical expertise or have decided the 
contest is no longer fun doing ) ....don't want to or can't run SO2R

Putting SO2R into it's own category has been beat to death,
( So please don't restart that worn out thread ) but if you are planning 
to WIN some contests in the future...U better get going with SO2R

A couple years ago, on this or a similar reflector, I suggested, that, at
minimum, to stop the threads for 
hemorrhaging over this subject, SO1R or SO2R be listed in a separate column
in all the results 
and, amazingly or coincidently, shortly thereafter, there was a box to check
whether you ran SO2R in your 
score reporting...BUT there still is no column in results showing that info

I am not a computer programmer but I suspect that when this info is inputed
to the score reporting web sites that 
this is just another piece of data, like a score or how many QSOS, mults
etc.,  than can be parsed out and automatically put in
a column with score rumors and final results.
(To those hard working hams that are doing these columns by hand, my
apologies as 
I know that would cause you MORE work  !)

Why is this important ? Well many contestors never get to the winner's
circle and maybe setout,  as one of their
goals, to beat their own scores. Well, it would be nice to know when one who
is running SO1R looks in the results, 
how well they did against other SO1R Ops.

It would sure be interesting if someone who is very computer and programming
saavy, ( and I am not )
take on the task of setting up a poll of for all contestors to actually VOTE
on whether SO2R be broken into it's own Category Class 
and not leave it just an opinion of those who make the Rules for the
contests.

Next time you got to the auto race  track,  see if they run the guys with
Turbo-Charges on their engines in same class as those
without. Do they always win the race against non turbo-charged guys ...not
always... but you can bet they are 
in the winner's circle 80 or 90 percent of the time.

Looking at the Score rumors for NAQP SSB last weekend, I see that I am
currently in 10 th place ( SO LP ) and I also just happen to 
know that most of the guys who are ahead of me were running SO2R, but it
would be nice to see the SO1R/SO2R data listed in a column
as we DID enter it in the score reporting. ( Again my apologies for possibly
causing more work to those doing the reports ) 

Bottom line, I don't expect SO2R will be going onto it's own class anytime
soon if ever but as service to those us us who 
bust their hump doing SO1R, the least that should hopefully occur soemtime
down the road, is that, the column with SO1R or SO2R be listed ! 

I think that by breaking this info out we stand a chance to get even more
newbies to come into the fray and enjoyment of contesting.
Case in point, Tri-band, Single Element Category that has been very
successful in enticing hams with meager stations to start entering 
contests ! )

( No, we don't need to start creating a myriad of new categories but this
SO1R/SO2R if not a class should
at minimum be reported in listings if at all possible )

73, Dennis N6KI

On Jan 22, 2008 7:02 AM, Tom Haavisto <ve3cx at shaw.ca> wrote:

Hi Lee

First off, I don't think there is a book on SO2R, and no, I didn't write it.
I have been away from ham radio and contesting for a number of years, and
upon returning was hit with all this talk of SO2R.  I did quite a bit of
research on the Internet to get up to speed.  With that out of the way, I
recently joined the ranks of SO2R, and will be happy to share my
experiences. 

First off - SO2R - as its name implies - Single Operator, 2 Radio.  The
first thing you need to know going in is - this is somewhat of a money pit.
Just when you think you have all the pieces, you will need a few more.  And
then a few more.  Not trying to discourage you, but think - two radios, two
amps, audio switching, filters, along with additional antennas and
feedlines.  It is a big step - make sure you are using one radio for all its
worth before adding in a second one.  If you want the best bang for your
buck - think better (and more) antennas FIRST. 

SO2R is not a magic bullet to improve your score.  It is a tool that you
need to learn how to use.  When you get good at it, your scores will
improve.  At the same time, you will be a more proficient operator - also
leading to improved scores. 

The first thing you will need is a second rig.  Naturally, it will need an
antenna - even a long wire will do for starters.  Next, we need a way to
listen to it, and the main rig at the same time.  This is where stereo
headphones come in.  Several people developed a variety of home-made boxes
to handle audio, but the easiest is to buy a commercial box.  The box
connects both radios to a headset and your computer.  Next, we need a way to
select the antenna(s).  Most people use a box call a Six Pack.  This is a
six port antenna switch with two outputs (one for each radio).  There is a
built-in interlock so you cannot connect both radios to the same antenna
(think blown front end). 

Next, we need some filters.  When transmitting on one radio, the antenna on
the second rig will pick up some RF.  Too much RF = blown front end.  To
prevent this from happening, you need some filters - either coax stubs, or
commercial filters.  Naturally, you need one for each radio, and a way to
automatically select the right filter at the right time for each radio.  You
will need a band decoder to help automate the process. 

If you want to run high power, you may want/need a second amp.  See what I
mean about a money pit?

Last, but not least, once you put it all together, you need to train your
brain to use it.  One radio (usually the one on the left) will be your run
radio.  Ideally, you can run stations proficiently on it.  While doing that,
start listening to the second radio and hunt for multipliers. 

The first time you try, you will make a mess of it.  I ended up hunting with
both radios - while waiting for one guy to finish, I would hunt with the
other.  I think my score went down instead of up!  It takes time, and
practice, practice, practice.  The really good SO2R ops have been at it for
years.  Don't try and get fancy - just try and get the hang of it, and
develop your own style. 

But - as Jose CT1BOH commented - after you do SO2R, there is no more SO1R!
It is addictive and adds a whole dimension of fun to contesting.  The trick
is to become good at it.  In reading some stores, some folks are running 150
plus QSO's on the run radio (2-3 QSOs/minute) while hunting/working with the
second.  Naturally, this comes after much practice, and is just one more
tool in the proficient operators toolbox. 

Hope this helps!

Tom - VE3CX

----- Original Message -----
From: Lee Buller <k0wa at swbell.net>
Date: Monday, January 21, 2008 3:27 pm
Subject: [CQ-Contest] SO2R 
To: CQcontest Reflector <cq-contest at contesting.com>

> Who wrote the book on SO2R and where can I find one?
>
> I am looking for information concerning building and operating 
> such a station....not a mega station...but one that is modest in
> size.  Well, it needs to fit on a city lot.
>
> Lee - K0WA
>
>
> In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short 
> supply.  If you don't have any Common Sense - get some
> Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find any Common
> Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common
> Sense.  Is Common Sense divine? 
>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
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>
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