My suggestion for SO2R would be simply to try it.
I borrowed a TS-930 from W9RE and hooked it up
to a dedicated GAP vertical (also borrowed) for
CW SS in 1998. My only investment was a switch
for mixing the headphone audio (I used a dedicated
keyer for the 2nd radio).
No switches, filters, software, etc. It was
a lot of fun, and I know it improved my score
significantly. In fact, everything I have done
to my hardware since that contest has only added
a little more to the big improvement I realized
when I was barefoot to that GAP.
There is no question that the bar has been raised
in single-op contesting. But the horse has been
out of the barn for at least a decade, now.
- Pat
N9RV
-----Original Message-----
From: Dale L Martin [mailto:kg5u@hal-pc.org]
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 10:08 PM
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] Not Another Contest Category
> > Second radio = $1000
>
> Yep, a second radio is definitely needed. But a lot (most?) of us
> already have an extra rig lying around the shack...use it.
>
True AND it doesn't need to be an exotic,
top-of-the-line-or-anywhere-near-that radio.
> > Second amp = $500
>
> Only if you're running high power....and then it's not required.
>
> > Decent antenna for each band. Cost varies, depending on what you
> > already have.
>
> Now that one is the biggie. But if you've already got monobanders,
> you're in good shape. Triband types will have to put some more
> thought into it.
>
I've got two tribanders (70' and 40' (fixed NW)), a 12avq triband
ground-mounted vertical, a 40m Inv Vee, 80m Half-sloper and 160m Inv L.
During the last NAQP CW Contest, when I did 2R (I don't do it all the
time;
just when the CQ or S&P rate drops) I was CQ'ing on the tribanders and
S&P'ing with the vertical. It worked great. Stations I called on the
vertical heard me generally first call. According to the rate meter, I
broke 90 per hour a few times and broke 110 once!! Oh yeah, I was
operating
QRP.
I don't think you need an exotic, hi-gain antenna for the second radio.
You
don't need to be BIG when S&P'ing.
73,
dale, kgu
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