[CQ-Contest] SO2R vs SO1R

Thu Aug 10 20:55:26 EDT 2017

> You're right that it's not merely a learned skill, however skill remains the primary
> barrier to entry, not equipment.

Hmm. I do know that 2 towers, filtering, 2 radios and 2 amps is double
the cost... And for most the barrier isn't skill, it's cost.

Ria, N2RJ

On Thu, Aug 10, 2017 at 10:06 AM, Kelly Taylor <ve4xt at mymts.net> wrote:
> Hi Ria,
>
> You're right that it's not merely a learned skill, however skill remains the
> primary barrier to entry, not equipment.
>
> Many hams already have what they need to do SO2R. A second radio, a second
> antenna.  For many, coax stubs are all the filtering they need, if it turns
> out they need any at all.
>
> Just because some SO2R ops have pairs of IC-7851s, pairs of ACOM2000s,
> thousands of dollars in Dunestar gear and multiple stacks on multiple towers
> covering multiple acres does not mean such is required.
>
> Those with that level of equipment will most likely do better than a guy
> with a tribander at 50 feet and a 5btv on the back fence, but that disparity
> is going to exist in SO1R, too.
>
> Indeed, it's likely, all other things being equal, a semi-competitive op
> running SO1R at a K3LR-equivalent station is probably going to wipe the
> floor with a comparable op running SO2R at any average suburban station.
>
> Moreover, it's not as though you turn on the second radio for the first time
> and double your score.
>
> More useful than the SOxR debate may be a discussion about levels of
> equipment. As has been pointed out, a JK Big-Tri at 150' and dipoles at 150
> and 200 feet qualify for TB-single wires.
>
> Perhaps instead of added categories, have everyone play in the same pond but
> have optional overlays, or optional declarations of equipment.
>
> And then offer online a tool to filter results accordingly. Such could be
> limited only by the imagination of the coder.
>
> Want to see how well you do against other operators running single-tube
> receivers, crystal-controlled transmitters and end-fed random wires? Or
> single 100-w radios, 50-foot towers, 3-el trapped tribanders and inverted
> vees? Have at it.
>
> You could even offer downloadable certificates at virtually no cost.
>
> 73, kelly, ve4xt
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 10, 2017, at 09:32, Ria Jairam <rjairam at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I also don't agree with splitting out the category, however to dismiss it
> simply as a learned skill is inaccurate. One must have a SO2R capable
> station which takes investment in time and money over a SO1R station.
> Usually you have 2x the radios, plus antenna separation (real estate) and
> filtering. In contests that allow it, you have two amplifiers as well. This
> isn't trivial by any means.
>
> 73
> Ria, N2RJ
>
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 10, 2017 at 8:21 AM Kelly Taylor <ve4xt at mymts.net> wrote:
>>
>> I don't support the notion we should create new categories just because
>> some folks have developed a skill the rest of us choose not to.
>>
>> Harrison Bergeron, a short story by Kurt Vonnegut, explores this issue
>> very well.
>>
>> 73, kelly, ve4xt
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> > On Aug 9, 2017, at 23:21, Ria Jairam <rjairam at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > The Flex-6700 and 6600 can do that as well but they are marketed as
>> > SO2R in a box.
>> >
>> > The experience with N1MM+ is virtually identical to using two radios.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Ria, N2RJ
>> >
>> >> On Wed, Aug 9, 2017 at 10:30 PM, John Geiger <af5cc2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> And don't forget with the Yaesu FTDX9000 series you can run full
>> >> duplex-transmit on one band while listening on another at the same
>> >> time.
>> >> You would still be single op-1 radio, though, because it is only one
>> >> radio.
>> >>
>> >> 73 John AF5CC
>> >>
>> >>> On Tue, Aug 8, 2017 at 4:12 PM, Trent Sampson <vk4ts at outlook.com>
>> >>> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> Hi Dave
>> >>>
>> >>> In answer to your questions
>> >>>
>> >>> Is a category for number of receivers needed in the world of
>> >>> contesting?
>> >>>
>> >>> No - the name of the event is Contest -
>> >>> "an event in which people compete for supremacy in a sport or other
>> >>> activity, or in a quality.
>> >>> "a tennis contest" synonyms:    competition, match, tournament, game,
>> >>> meet"
>> >>>
>> >>> If we were entering a Radio participation event that would be
>> >>> different
>> >>> and everyone can win a Certificate
>> >>>
>> >>> How are SO1R ops doing in other contests competing against SO2Rs?
>> >>> SO2R is dependent on the contest , for a contest rich in activity and
>> >>> multipliers eg the CQWPX the advantage is less although it does help
>> >>> to be
>> >>> able to sample activity on another band
>> >>>
>> >>> Does not having a "number of receivers" category discourage SO1Rs from
>> >>> competing?
>> >>> These days - well, since the FT1000D there are plenty of contest ready
>> >>> radios that have dual band capability built in and with SDR receivers
>> >>> becoming so cheap there is little holding a station back
>> >>> At 100 watts the bar to entry to SO2R is very low - split antenna, a
>> >>> second radio and some coax stubs, a controller (some can be done in
>> >>> software) and away you go.
>> >>>
>> >>> Are there any contests that have such a category?
>> >>> Not that I am aware and to be honest , I feel, we have to many
>> >>> categories
>> >>> as it stands.
>> >>>
>> >>> Regards
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> Trent
>> >>> VK4TS
>> >>> Po Box 275 Mooloolaba QLD 4557
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>> From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf
>> >>> Of
>> >>> Dave Edmonds
>> >>> Sent: Wednesday, 9 August 2017 12:43 AM
>> >>> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
>> >>> Subject: [CQ-Contest] SO2R vs SO1R
>> >>>
>> >>> The top 25 players (according to 3830scores.com) in the NAQP CW
>> >>> contest
>> >>> were running SO2R. Congrats to N9NB a SO1R op who broke the chain of
>> >>> SO2R
>> >>> scores.. The concern I saw was that there were no SO1R stations
>> >>> anywhere
>> >>> near the top scores in the NAQP LP category. There was a very wide
>> >>> score
>> >>> margin between the two types of operation too...
>> >>>
>> >>> Is a category for number of receivers needed in the world of
>> >>> contesting?
>> >>>
>> >>> How are SO1R ops doing in other contests competing against SO2Rs?
>> >>>
>> >>> Does not having a "number of receivers" category discourage SO1Rs from
>> >>> competing?
>> >>>
>> >>> Are there any contests that have such a category?
>> >>>
>> >>> Thoughts?
>> >>>
>> >>> 73s Dave WN4AFP
>> >>> _______________________________________________
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>