[WriteLog] One computer versus two in SO2R contesting

[Don Hill AA5AU]

Redundancy is one reason to use 2 computers.  The main reason I
do it is because I started SO2R many years ago and the only way
to do it was using 2 computers.  So I've grown accustom to it.

Another good reason I use two computers is so I can run dual receive
on each radio.  You could run dual receive but that's pretty crowded on
one screen.  And then you have to think about COM ports.  I have
more on two computers than I could possible put in one.

Looking at two monitors is not a problem.  My monitors are on the
far ends of the desk with the radios in the middle.  It's a good way to
exercise your neck when contesting!

73, Don AA5AU

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "WA9ALS - John" <wa9als@starband.net>
To: <writelog@contesting.com>; "Jerry Flanders" <jflanders2@home.com>
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2001 8:27 PM
Subject: Re: [WriteLog] One computer versus two in SO2R contesting


> > Actually I found it surprisingly easy unless the QSO rate was high. I did
> > SO2R RTTY for the first time this past weekend, but used two computers,
> one
> > dedicated to each radio. It was working so well during the low rate times
> > that I started wondering how this could be done with only one computer + 2
> > radios and couldn't see how it could be set up - hence the question I
> > posted last night.
> 
> Heck, I see it in reverse - I don't see how you can watch 2 computers and
> monitors.  I've never been any good at it, but I've had SO2R going on a
> single computer and single monitor.  No problem to setup, although the
> 1280x1024 screen is a bit tiny for my old eyes.  2 RTTYrite windows, one on
> each side of the monitor.  Only one general place to watch.  Hearing both
> radios and wondering which one is receiving takes a look at the screen, but
> I suppose stereo headphones would eliminate that consideration.  Of course
> you can also use 2 monitors with WIN98 and above, so you can still have 2
> monitors but only one computer.  I'm not sure why you would network 2
> computers unless you intended a multi-op, 2-station effort someday.  I know
> Don and others do SO2R this way, but seems like an expensive, more
> complicated way to do it.  Maybe it's done for the redundancy in case a
> computer is lost during the contest?
> 
> 
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