[CQ-Contest] SO2R vs SO1R

[john at kk9a.com]

CQWW already has a SO1R overlay but it's for only operating 1/2 of the
contest.  Perhaps a "Classic" 48 overlay or similar category would be nice
for those that don't have CT1BOH, N6MJ, W2SC, KL9A, etc super skills and
would like to complete against other single radio humans.

John KK9A


To:	Ria Jairam <rjairam at gmail.com>
Subject:	Re: [CQ-Contest] SO2R vs SO1R
From:	Kelly Taylor <ve4xt at mymts.net>
Date:	Thu, 10 Aug 2017 10:06:29 -0400

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