[CQ-Contest] so2r question

[David Pruett]

Rick,

I've been doing SO2R since 1980 (back in the pre-computer days) and have 
built and used many different setups.

My experience has been that how one does SO2R is a highly personal 
thing.  Lots of "SO2R newbies" jump into it without knowing how they 
will use it, which dictates how their setup should be configured and 
they get stumped.  But you ask some excellent questions, so I think you 
get it. :-)

I have settled on using one computer, with a Top Ten DX Doubler to 
control the radios and I am completely satisfied with this setup.  I 
have never used the MicroHam stuff, but I'm sure those products are good 
choices as well.

To me, the biggest issue in SO2R is desk space and conveniently 
accessing two radios.  With two computers, even if you put the CPU boxes 
in some out of the way place, you can't avoid having two monitors and 
two keyboards, which only makes the problem worse.

To get the most out of SO2R, the best setup is a single, seamless 
environment for your brain and the radios to exist in. You want to be 
able to make a QSO on the second radio as easily as a QSO on the first 
radio and I can't see how shifting between monitors and keyboards allows 
this.

Some guys let the computer control the transmit path and use a simple 
switch to select radio A, radio B, or both.  MFJ sells an inexpensive 
box that does this nicely.  But this type of independent configuration 
can lead to confusion.  Nothing is more frustrating than finding a guy 
on one radio and calling him on the other radio which is why I use the 
integrated switching like Top Ten or MicroHam.

Back in the 80s, I wrote an article in the NCJ on an "automatic receiver 
switch" which was a computer-independent box used by myself, K5GO, K2UA 
and others.  I can't recall what issue this was in.

In a nutshell, figure out exactly HOW you want your SO2R to work, and 
the implementationwill follow naturally.

73, Dave/K8CC


On 3/12/2015 6:58 AM, Rick Dougherty NQ4I wrote:
> Hi All...to the SO2R guys...how do you handle the audio to two rigs in SO2R?
> Would your system work with two separate computers controlling their
> independent radios?
>
> What I am trying to do is use two separate stations and integrate them as
> SO2S (Single Op two stations) I need the ability to use one head set and
> have the transmit audio routed to the proper rig, according to the foot
> switch pressed. Is this a capability?
>
> Thanks de Rick NQ4I
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