[RTTY] SO2R vs. SO1R - a pertinent question

[Bill Turner]

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

On Mon, 24 Jul 2006 14:55:30 -0400, you wrote:


>Why do contests distinguish between high power and low power? I have not
>seen that debated here, so I assume that most people are OK with the
>separate classes for those using amplifiers and those not using amplifiers.
>
>If the answer is "Shut up, young man, we've dealt with this before and the
>issue is closed." then kindly point me in the right direction, because it's
>a serious question. If the answer is that using an amplifier creates a clear
>advantage and warrants a separate category then it seems to me that has
>implications for other "advantages" such as antennas and 2nd radios. Which
>way should it be?
>
>I honestly don't know the answer to the SOnR debate. On the one hand, you
>could take it to the extreme and everyone would be in their own category
>(single-op, 1 radio, 92 watts, 2 element yagi at 42.6 feet, 385 feet ASL, 2
>kids in college, and a dog that snores) and everyone would win, but that's
>silly. On the other hand, I can't see how using an amplfier should be any
>different than using two radios or using stacked monobanders. It's just a
>piece of equipment.
>73,
>Doug, K4DSP

------------ REPLY SEPARATOR ------------

Excellent question Doug, and the answer is not whether something gives
an advantage, but how much of an advantage.

I have operated both high (1500w) and low (100w) in many RTTY contests
and there is no question HP has a large advantage. It was most
noticeable to me because I started my contesting career with HP and
only later tried LP. The first LP contest I ran I thought my antenna
had fallen down. My CQs went unanswered, my S&P calls got stomped on,
etc, etc. It was work to get a Q!! And that's why separate categories
were created.

The one/two radio debate is the same way. In spite of what a few say,
two radio operation is a huge advantage, or people would not do it.
Nobody is going to spend a bunch of money and waste a lot of time
learning a technique which has little or no value.

And I hope that answers the question.

Bill, W6WRT