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Re: [CQ-Contest] SO2R

To: "'Paul E. Dorey'" <wn6k@wn6k.cts.com>,"'Dennis Vernacchia'" <n6ki73@gmail.com>,"'Lee Buller'" <k0wa@swbell.net>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] SO2R
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <w4tv@subich.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:32:07 -0500
List-post: <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
SO1R is the lazy person's contesting ... it is contesting with 
one hand tied behind one's back, listening with one ear and 
entering with half a mind. 

Competition is maximizing one's effort and results, not artificially 
limiting one's capabilities.



> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com 
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Paul E. Dorey
> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 6:18 PM
> To: 'Dennis Vernacchia'; 'Lee Buller'
> Cc: 'Tom Haavisto'; cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] SO2R
> 
> 
> SO2R is SO1R on STEROIDS and the reporting should be with an Asterisk.
> 
>  
> 
> WN6K, Paul - SO1R because:
> 
> 1)     I only have one brain
> 
> 2)     I have a limited budget
> 
> 3)     List any and other excuses here
> 
>  
> 
> ped
> 
>  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dennis Vernacchia [mailto:n6ki73@gmail.com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 14:59
> To: Lee Buller
> Cc: cq-contest@contesting.com; Tom Haavisto
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] SO2R
> 
>  
> 
> ...and remember....
> 
> It is "NO" , and I quote from previous extensive threads on 
> this an other
> reflectors,
> "NO great advantage", ( like turning on packet when one is a 
> single Op...
> which of course launches U into another Class) 
> 
> Most of the guys who make the rules for the contests are 
> running it and and
> of course clobber
> the majority of guys that run SO1R, who,  for whatever reason....
> ( some don't have the money or technical expertise or have 
> decided the 
> contest is no longer fun doing ) ....don't want to or can't run SO2R
> 
> Putting SO2R into it's own category has been beat to death,
> ( So please don't restart that worn out thread ) but if you 
> are planning 
> to WIN some contests in the future...U better get going with SO2R
> 
> A couple years ago, on this or a similar reflector, I 
> suggested, that, at
> minimum, to stop the threads for 
> hemorrhaging over this subject, SO1R or SO2R be listed in a 
> separate column
> in all the results 
> and, amazingly or coincidently, shortly thereafter, there was 
> a box to check
> whether you ran SO2R in your 
> score reporting...BUT there still is no column in results 
> showing that info
> 
> I am not a computer programmer but I suspect that when this 
> info is inputed
> to the score reporting web sites that 
> this is just another piece of data, like a score or how many 
> QSOS, mults
> etc.,  than can be parsed out and automatically put in
> a column with score rumors and final results.
> (To those hard working hams that are doing these columns by hand, my
> apologies as 
> I know that would cause you MORE work  !)
> 
> Why is this important ? Well many contestors never get to the winner's
> circle and maybe setout,  as one of their
> goals, to beat their own scores. Well, it would be nice to 
> know when one who
> is running SO1R looks in the results, 
> how well they did against other SO1R Ops.
> 
> It would sure be interesting if someone who is very computer 
> and programming
> saavy, ( and I am not )
> take on the task of setting up a poll of for all contestors 
> to actually VOTE
> on whether SO2R be broken into it's own Category Class 
> and not leave it just an opinion of those who make the Rules for the
> contests.
> 
> Next time you got to the auto race  track,  see if they run 
> the guys with
> Turbo-Charges on their engines in same class as those
> without. Do they always win the race against non 
> turbo-charged guys ...not
> always... but you can bet they are 
> in the winner's circle 80 or 90 percent of the time.
> 
> Looking at the Score rumors for NAQP SSB last weekend, I see that I am
> currently in 10 th place ( SO LP ) and I also just happen to 
> know that most of the guys who are ahead of me were running 
> SO2R, but it
> would be nice to see the SO1R/SO2R data listed in a column
> as we DID enter it in the score reporting. ( Again my 
> apologies for possibly
> causing more work to those doing the reports ) 
> 
> Bottom line, I don't expect SO2R will be going onto it's own 
> class anytime
> soon if ever but as service to those us us who 
> bust their hump doing SO1R, the least that should hopefully 
> occur soemtime
> down the road, is that, the column with SO1R or SO2R be listed ! 
> 
> I think that by breaking this info out we stand a chance to 
> get even more
> newbies to come into the fray and enjoyment of contesting.
> Case in point, Tri-band, Single Element Category that has been very
> successful in enticing hams with meager stations to start entering 
> contests ! )
> 
> ( No, we don't need to start creating a myriad of new 
> categories but this
> SO1R/SO2R if not a class should
> at minimum be reported in listings if at all possible )
> 
> 73, Dennis N6KI
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Jan 22, 2008 7:02 AM, Tom Haavisto <ve3cx@shaw.ca> wrote:
> 
> Hi Lee
> 
> First off, I don't think there is a book on SO2R, and no, I 
> didn't write it.
> I have been away from ham radio and contesting for a number 
> of years, and
> upon returning was hit with all this talk of SO2R.  I did 
> quite a bit of
> research on the Internet to get up to speed.  With that out 
> of the way, I
> recently joined the ranks of SO2R, and will be happy to share my
> experiences. 
> 
> First off - SO2R - as its name implies - Single Operator, 2 
> Radio.  The
> first thing you need to know going in is - this is somewhat 
> of a money pit.
> Just when you think you have all the pieces, you will need a 
> few more.  And
> then a few more.  Not trying to discourage you, but think - 
> two radios, two
> amps, audio switching, filters, along with additional antennas and
> feedlines.  It is a big step - make sure you are using one 
> radio for all its
> worth before adding in a second one.  If you want the best 
> bang for your
> buck - think better (and more) antennas FIRST. 
> 
> SO2R is not a magic bullet to improve your score.  It is a 
> tool that you
> need to learn how to use.  When you get good at it, your scores will
> improve.  At the same time, you will be a more proficient 
> operator - also
> leading to improved scores. 
> 
> The first thing you will need is a second rig.  Naturally, it 
> will need an
> antenna - even a long wire will do for starters.  Next, we 
> need a way to
> listen to it, and the main rig at the same time.  This is where stereo
> headphones come in.  Several people developed a variety of 
> home-made boxes
> to handle audio, but the easiest is to buy a commercial box.  The box
> connects both radios to a headset and your computer.  Next, 
> we need a way to
> select the antenna(s).  Most people use a box call a Six 
> Pack.  This is a
> six port antenna switch with two outputs (one for each 
> radio).  There is a
> built-in interlock so you cannot connect both radios to the 
> same antenna
> (think blown front end). 
> 
> Next, we need some filters.  When transmitting on one radio, 
> the antenna on
> the second rig will pick up some RF.  Too much RF = blown 
> front end.  To
> prevent this from happening, you need some filters - either 
> coax stubs, or
> commercial filters.  Naturally, you need one for each radio, 
> and a way to
> automatically select the right filter at the right time for 
> each radio.  You
> will need a band decoder to help automate the process. 
> 
> If you want to run high power, you may want/need a second 
> amp.  See what I
> mean about a money pit?
> 
> Last, but not least, once you put it all together, you need 
> to train your
> brain to use it.  One radio (usually the one on the left) 
> will be your run
> radio.  Ideally, you can run stations proficiently on it.  
> While doing that,
> start listening to the second radio and hunt for multipliers. 
> 
> The first time you try, you will make a mess of it.  I ended 
> up hunting with
> both radios - while waiting for one guy to finish, I would 
> hunt with the
> other.  I think my score went down instead of up!  It takes time, and
> practice, practice, practice.  The really good SO2R ops have 
> been at it for
> years.  Don't try and get fancy - just try and get the hang of it, and
> develop your own style. 
> 
> But - as Jose CT1BOH commented - after you do SO2R, there is 
> no more SO1R!
> It is addictive and adds a whole dimension of fun to 
> contesting.  The trick
> is to become good at it.  In reading some stores, some folks 
> are running 150
> plus QSO's on the run radio (2-3 QSOs/minute) while 
> hunting/working with the
> second.  Naturally, this comes after much practice, and is 
> just one more
> tool in the proficient operators toolbox. 
> 
> 
> Hope this helps!
> 
> Tom - VE3CX
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Lee Buller <k0wa@swbell.net>
> Date: Monday, January 21, 2008 3:27 pm
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] SO2R 
> To: CQcontest Reflector <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> 
> > Who wrote the book on SO2R and where can I find one?
> >
> > I am looking for information concerning building and operating 
> > such a station....not a mega station...but one that is modest in
> > size.  Well, it needs to fit on a city lot.
> >
> > Lee - K0WA
> >
> >
> > In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short 
> > supply.  If you don't have any Common Sense - get some
> > Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find any Common
> > Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common
> > Sense.  Is Common Sense divine? 
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
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>  
> 
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