[RTTY] SO2R Help & DXDoubler

[DickT-W0RAA]

I'd like to thank Don & Joe for their comments on the subject I broached
on the reflector as regards SO2R and the DXDoubler.  In fact, I'd like to
thank everybody who has responded on the reflector as well as off the
reflector to me directly.  I seem to have touched on a subject that many
are interested in, and seeking answers.  There are a lot of knowledgeable
hams on these reflectors.  The responses have certainly got me excited
about the possibility of runnig SO2R in a RTTY or CW contest.  Once
I get my tower in place again and my beam on it, I'll definitely be doing
a lot of reading, and I am also anxiously awaiting the arrival of the NCJ
issues of March/April and May/June which will have Don (AA5AU)
Hill's articles on this subject.  I had no idea Don had written those
upcoming articles for NCJ.  So, I guess my query was timely.  :)

Again, thanks to all for the suggestions and help.  BTW, Don's article
at http://www.rttycontesting.com/so2r.htm, is another addition to my
'Getting Started on RTTY" folder that Don has on his web site.  I
printed out all 25 pages and will be reading and re-reading it, I'm sure.

73,
Dick - W0RAA

-----------------------

Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2011 12:13:26 -0500
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists at subich.com>
Subject: Re: [RTTY] Forwarded message
To: rtty at contesting.com
Message-ID: <4D31D5B6.8000706 at subich.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed


>> 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