[RTTY] Forwarded message

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

>> No special SO2R box is required unless you absolutely feel you need
>> automatedfilter and headphone switching. With RTTY, you certainly
 >> don't need headphone switching.  Filters can be switched manually
 >> as I have done since day one.

To echo what Don posted, DX Doubler or any other SO2R controller is
not necessary for RTTY.  Even if one extends the goal to include
phone and CW contesting, there are other ways to accomplish the user
input/output switching (but if you're serious about a SO2R controller
I sell both basic and "Cadillac" versions <G>).  Microphone and DVK
switching is handled automatically within contest software like
Writelog and N1MM Logger ... CW and PTT switching is handled by
those same applications with a K1EL Winkey USB.  The only thing left
is receiver audio control and that can be accomplished with an
inexpensive audio mixer.

The receiver bandpass filters and *antenna switching* are far more
important to effective SO2R operation than an SO2R controller.  Here
the goal is to make absolutely certain that is is *never possible*
to connect both transceivers to the same antenna and to reduce cross
band coupling so that the noise floor does not rise and you can
actually *hear* the weak signals.  It is the area of antenna
switching and filter/antenna automation (band decoders, "double"
switches, etc.) that means the most in SO2R operation.

73,

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


On 1/15/2011 1:13 AM, Don AA5AU wrote:
> It's ironic that Dick would pose these questions when I just completed my column
> for the March/April issue of NCJ on RTTY SO2R operation (Part I).
>
> Since I know Dick is a subscriber to this reflector, I will address him as well
> as the other subscribers as I believe it's important others know.
>
> You do NOT need a DX Doubler or any other type of SO2R interface to run RTTY
> SO2R.  I have been running RTTY SO2R for nearly 20 years now with no such
> complicated interface.
>
> RTTY SO2R is simply two RTTY stations combined with band filters, antenna
> switching and headphones to listen to both radios at the same time.  No special
> SO2R box is required unless you absolutely feel you need automated filter and
> headphone switching.  With RTTY, you certainly don't need headphone switching.
> Filters can be switched manually as I have done since day one.  Save your money
> and spend it on a good set of band filters from ICE, Dunestar pr a good set of
> stubs.
>
> Many years ago I wrote a webpage on RTTY SO2R at
> http://www.rttycontesting.com/so2r.htm which I need to update.  It gives a lot
> of information that will help the future RTTY SO2R operator.  More information
> will be found in the 2011 March/April NCJ RTTY Contesting column and well as the
> 2011 May/June edition which will include Part II of my SO2R column.  If you
> don't subscribe to the National Contest Journal (NCJ) and you consider yourself
> a serious contester, then you should.
>
> Hopefully this will not spark the very blase subject of SO1R vs SO2R.  The fact
> is, if you are a serious RTTY contester and do not run SO2R, you are missing out
> of the unimagineable fun of being on two bands at the same time and filling all
> that void time between CQs with something as productive as CQing on another band
> or S&P for additional mults.  All the while, you are being busy and productive
> and having a friggin' good time.
>
> RTTY SO2R is not for everyone.  But if you have a passion for RTTY contesting,
> get off your butt and do something other than watch TV and read your e-mail
> while you are pressing the F2 key.
>
> Don AA5AU
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: "Bill, W6WRT"<dezrat1242 at yahoo.com>
> To: rtty at contesting.com
> Sent: Fri, January 14, 2011 9:31:08 PM
> Subject: [RTTY] Forwarded message
>
>
> Subject: DXDoubler Question
> From: "DickT-W0RAA"<dickt at w0raa.com>
> Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:19:16 -0700
>
> I hope I can get some help with my question.  I have several questions
> and
> it would probably be best if the  context was taken off the reflectors,
> unless you felt it could benefit other members.  If you would like to
> get a
> dialogue started and help me, you can e-mail me at w0raa[at]arrl.net.
>
> That being said, I have the following questions to ask (And probably
> more):
>
> I have a Yaesu FT-950 and a Yaesu FT-857D.  The 950 is my main radio,
> and
> the 857D is a backup.
>
> My antennas consist of a Butternut HF-9V ground mounted vertical and
> soon
> (to replace a beam&  tower that succumbed to 90 MPH winds) a Cushcraft
> A3S
> beam on a Rohn 25G as a replacement.  I will also be putting back up a
> Van
> Gordon Engineering 80 meter shortened dipole.
>
> I would like to set up a SO2R contest setup and have been looking at the
> DXDoubler as a means of doing so.  At present I have to switch one radio
> out
> of service to listen on another band for activity, and that can be
> confusing, not to mention a time waster.  A DXDoubler looks like it
> might be
> a solution to my needs.  Will it be a simple setup?  What cables would I
> need? Etc, etc.
>
> So, is anybody using a similar setup to mine (950, 857D, antennas, etc)
> that
> can offer me some guidance on how I should proceed and not break the
> bank,
> which would keep the XYL happy.  I know none of you guys have ever had
> that
> problem before, so I mention it as a possible hindrance.  :)
>
> Any help or somebody saying I just don't have enough antennas to do it
> would
> be appreciated.  I live in an upscale mobile home retirement community
> here
> in Colorado Springs and they tolerate beams, verticals and such.  I try
> to
> stay as low key as possible even with their permission.
>
> SO if you care to help I would be appreciative.
>
> 73&  Tnx,
>
> Dick
> W0RAA
> w0raa[at]arrl.net  or  dickt[at]w0raa.com


>
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