[CQ-Contest] SO2R - operating

[Edward]

For 2 radio S & P for me, its all about total speed and it changes
constantly throughout the contest.  I use low power but relatively big
antennas.  I can sweep a band sometimes at 70 - 90 rate S & Ping if it
is the first sweep of the contest.  In my opinion, this is NOT the time
for even an experienced SO2R op to try and dual S & P.
 
However, there are more times in the contest that a single band S & P
might be 30 - 40 for me.  IF I decided to only S & P at that time, I
would 2 radio S & P and at each time I am waiting to call again, I may
try and find a Q on the second radio to work as well, hopefully bringing
my total rate to 45 - 60.
 
It should be stated though, that I DO NOT spend much time 2 radio S &
Ping in contests like CQ WW, ARRL DX, WPX.  I am usually running (or
trying to) on a radio and S & Ping, or I am fully concentrated on
running and maybe have my second radio just monitoring a band, or might
be trying to dig sigs out of noise and can't separate my time
effectively.  
 
What tells me to do it?  The band is decent, sigs are pretty good, and
is crowded so I am "waiting my turn" rather than dealing with bad
conditions.  And there is no obvious band to run on at the time.
 
Like anything in contesting and way more so with SO2R, it's a judgment
call.
 
Ed  N1UR