[CQ-Contest] DX Doubler and contesting

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> At Dayton, Microham was also passing out a spec sheet for a 
> new SO2R box to be available "in the Fall" that seemed to be 
> priced in the same ballpark as the RigBlaster Duo.  I asked 
> what was different between it and the MK2R / MK2R+ and was 
> told "it is more stripped down."

It will be just the switching core of MK2R/MK2R+ - it will not have 
any soundcard or soundcard interface.  It will not contain any receive 
recording or digital receive ("line") switching and it will not include 
the additional station control capabilities ("band data,"  SteppIR
control, 
auxiliary CI-V interface, etc.) of the MK2R/MK2R+.

73, 

   ... Joe Subich, W4TV 
       microHAM America 
       http://www.microHAM-USA.com 
       http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microHAM 
       support at microham.com 
   



> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of 
> Rowland.Archer at gxs.com
> Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 5:31 PM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] DX Doubler and contesting
> 
> 
> Steve,
> 
> The RigBlaster Duo certainly looks nice but I don't see any 
> mention of SO2R and I don't see anything in the specs that 
> indicates you could use it with contesting software to toggle 
> between radios A & B.   There doesn't seem to be an LPT port 
> input, which would be the common way to do that.  I hope 
> there is something like that -- maybe a command through the 
> USB port -- but then the contest software vendors would have 
> to add support.
> 
> Or did I miss something in the specs?
> 
> At Dayton, Microham was also passing out a spec sheet for a 
> new SO2R box to be available "in the Fall" that seemed to be 
> priced in the same ballpark as the RigBlaster Duo.  I asked 
> what was different between it and the MK2R / MK2R+ and was 
> told "it is more stripped down."
> 
> I'm in the middle of implementing a used EZmaster, and it is 
> hobbling along but seems rather flakey.  Maybe when I get 
> everything configured it will settle down.  Current 
> hairpulling is over trying to get full break-in QSK working.  
> Semi break-in works OK, but when I set it up so it keys the 
> Icom 756ProII with full break-in, I get horrible CW with 
> chopped characters.
> 
> 73,
> Rowland K4XD
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Steve Lott
> Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 4:08 PM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] DX Doubler and contesting
> 
> I would hold out for the New RigBlaster Duo   (SO2R BOX)
> 
> I had a DXD awhile back since then I used a MicroHam mk2r+ 
> but our dollar is so weak today that MK2R+ would cost you 
> well over 1k !
> 
> The new rigblaster box should be just under $350
> 
> steve
> kg5vk
> 
> On Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 2:44 PM, Kenneth E. Harker
> <kenharker at kenharker.com>wrote:
> 
> > On Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 12:30:26PM -0700, Michael Dinkelman wrote:
> > > Hello All
> > >
> > > Reviewing the documentation on the Web page, how do others handle 
> > > using this device with two audio sources (soundcard DVP and the 
> > > microphone)?
> >
> > Probably the easiest approach is to use a RigBlaster-like interface 
> > between the rig and the DXDoubler.
> >
> > > The diagram in the manual seems to indicate putting them
> > > in parallel. That doesn't look right. My homebrew SO2R
> > > box uses switches a relay between the sources and I transformer 
> > > isolate the DVP audio.
> > >
> > > Also, does anybody modify their DX Doubler so you can use
> > > a remote switch box to switch the receive audio? Don't 
> like the idea 
> > > of reaching up to throw the switch for left/right/both. 
> (I like mine 
> > > on the desk.)
> >
> > At the station I sometimes operate from that uses a 
> DXDoubler, it sits 
> > to the left of the keyboard, on the desk.  This seems to be a good 
> > location, as my logging program (TR) can send a DVK message with an 
> > ENTER key press.  My right hand homes on the keyboard, and the left 
> > hand homes more often on the DXDoubler.
> >
> > With a remote switch, you could put it anywhere, of course.
> > I think the biggest challenge might be to make sure the 
> cable to the 
> > extended switch doesn't pick up RF - maybe put some toroids 
> at either 
> > end.
> >
> > > Looks like a great device, just a couple issues of 
> concern before I 
> > > spend that kind of money.
> > >
> > > While we are at it, are there other common mods to
> > > the device?
> > >
> > > 73
> > > dink, N7WA
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > CQ-Contest mailing list
> > > CQ-Contest at contesting.com 
> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> >
> > --
> > Kenneth E. Harker WM5R
> > kenharker at kenharker.com
> > http://www.kenharker.com/
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > CQ-Contest mailing list
> > CQ-Contest at contesting.com 
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> >
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