[CQ-Contest] SO2R
Joe Subich, W4TV
w4tv at subich.com
Tue Jan 22 21:32:07 EST 2008
SO1R is the lazy person's contesting ... it is contesting with
one hand tied behind one's back, listening with one ear and
entering with half a mind.
Competition is maximizing one's effort and results, not artificially
limiting one's capabilities.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Paul E. Dorey
> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 6:18 PM
> To: 'Dennis Vernacchia'; 'Lee Buller'
> Cc: 'Tom Haavisto'; cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] SO2R
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
> 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?
> >
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> >
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