[WWYC] IOTA 2002....SO2R

[felix,dl7fer]

Hi there...
Well, just wanna drop a few words concerning my first attempt to run SO2R
during last weekends IOTA-test.
Initially I thought it would be worth a try to have a 2nd rig on 40m/80m all
the time in order to catch as many Gs (the crowd of "15pointers") as
possible.
I used a 2op/2radio device which was built by the BCC for the CN8WW
operation and a CT-network with two computers.
As I have only a tri-bander and wires for the low bands available which are
quite close to each other I had to use filters to prevent any damage of the
receivers.
Just before the contest started I had to built two cw-interfaces as the one
I usually use was on eu-132 and the other one is such a strange construction
that it doesnīt work with all computers...finally only one of these quicly
assembled interfaces did work...what a mess!
Now I had a 2nd radio with 100w and used on all bands (...) with matched
80m/40m dipoles.

To make a long story short it was a very interesting experience. Itīs
obviously a strange feeling if you have different signals on your ears and
you have to get used to manage the audio device.
I tested several combinations with both modes and switching between run and
mult in these modes.
One of the main problems was that the IC737/IC736 I used only have 250Hz
filters for CW. This is complete nonsense for contesting especially for
CQing! You have to play with the clarifier all the time and listen to clicks
form the side...
Then the noise level downtown Berlin is anoying. Constant S5 -9 on the low
bands. Iīm sure that some guy from the Americas thought that Iīm completely
numb but I was simply deaf.... ; - )

To sum it up I managed to hold my last years QSO number (~950) despite quite
bad condx (I had great runs on saturday evening but then the rates
dramatically decreased)and CT told me that my score almost doubled but I
have a slight doubt that there is a problem with counting as my mult score
didnīt increase much either...
Will have to work it out during the next days.

Thanks to those WWYCers I had a Q with but I didnīt mange to catch OZ0RM. I
heard once somebody on 20m working you but no chance.

Cu in the upcomming EU HF-Championship upcomming weekend...

73 de Felix, DL7FER