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N3RS Station Description

N3RS Station Description. Using the Acom 2S1s. What is a 2S1?.

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N3RS Station Description

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  1. N3RS Station Description Using the Acom 2S1s

  2. What is a 2S1? At N3RS, we have installed Acom 2S1 “Transceiver Commutators” at both operating tables. These devices are designed to allow two Yaesu transceivers to share a single amplifer/antenna line. We have designed interface circuitry that allows the 2S1s to be used with the Elecraft K3s in the station, in addition to the Yaesu FT-1000MPs, which we use as backup radios.

  3. Why? • The 2S1 allows two radios to share a single amplifier/antenna. • Can transmit as well as listen. • Positive lockout keeps us legal. • Biggest Benefit – Allows RUN operator to protect his frequency while the ASSIST operator works multipliers

  4. Installation Details • Main Table • Two 2S1s installed • Left can help right, or • Right can help left • 20/40 Table • Two 2S1s installed • Center can help right (40m), or • Center can help left (20m), or • Center can be independently on 20m

  5. Installation Details (Cont’d) • A simple installation would not require any external switching. At N3RS, we have a complex installation, which DOES: • Each table has a control box on the shelf • The Assist Operator controls the configuration • Details of the two separate deployments are shown on the next two slides

  6. Acom 2S1s on Stns 1 and 2 • Three modes: • Separate • Left • Right • Separate – Stns 1 & 2 operating independently – no lockout • Left – Stns 1 & 2 sharing left amp and antenna • Right – Stns 1 & 2 sharing right amp and antenna • Positive lockout when in Left or Right

  7. Acom 2S1s on Stns 5,4, and 3 • Three modes available for Operator of Station 4: • 20 Share • Shares Station 5 amp and antenna • 20 • Gets antenna not in use by Station 5 through Alpha 99 amp • 40 Share • Shares Station 3 amp and antenna • LEDs indicate antenna in use by Station 4 when on 20 meters • Station 4 has NO ANTENNA SELECTION CAPABILITY • Positive lockout always in effect

  8. How does it work? • Stations 1 and 2 Sequence • Control Switch starts in SEPARATE • QSY to the RUN band. RUN has the antenna, so you won’t hear anything • Move the Control Switch to the RUN side, either Left or Right. You now will hear signals. • Alert RUN operator of pending assistance.

  9. How does it work? • Stns 3 and 4 Sequence – ASSIST 40 • Station 4 is the DEDICATED ASSIST STN • Stations 3 and 5 receive assistance only • Control Switch starts in 20 • QSY Station 4 to 40m. Station 3 has the antenna, so you won’t hear anything • Move the Control Switch to 40. You now will hear signals. • Alert RUN operator of pending assistance. More on this later.

  10. How does it work? • Stns 4 and 5 Sequence – ASSIST 20 • Station 4 is the DEDICATED ASSIST STN • Stations 3 and 5 receive assistance only • Two ways to Assist the 20m RUN operator: • Sharing his amplifier and antenna (Control Switch = “20 Share”) • Separate amplifier and antenna (Control Switch = “20”) • IMPORTANT – 20 RUN HAS ANTENNA CONTROL • There are two “antennas” on 20m: 5/5/5 stack and 204BA • RUN op selects best antenna for his run using the touchscreen • ASSIST op (Station 4) has access to the other antenna • IMPORTANT – 20 ASSIST HAS NO ANTENNA CONTROL • If ASSIST put the Ctrl Sw in “20”, he has the antenna not in use by RUN • In this case, ASSIST views the LEDs mounted on the shelf to see which antenna he has • Sequence • Control Switch starts in “20” • QSY Station 4 to 20m. You now hear signals. You have the non-RUN antenna, which will normally be the 204BA, assuming that RUN will be using the 5/5/5 stack. • Move the Control Switch to “20 Share”. You now will hear signals from the antenna RUN is using. • Alert RUN operator of pending assistance. More on this later.

  11. When to Assist? • Whenever there are Qs or Mults to be worked on a RUN band that is RUNNING (packet spots) • Tuning a RUN band for mults or Qs (Hard work) • Whenever a RUN band is Search&Pounce (Two S&P ops on a band are better than one!) • Whenever a RUN operator has a large pileup and could use help in pulling out calls. • When the RUN op needs a potty break. • Whenever a RUN op calls for assistance (usually due to a mult just being spotted)

  12. When NOT to Assist? • Whenever the RUN operator specifically requests none. • This is judgment call on the RUN operator’s part. • If the RUN rate is very high, it is best to wait.

  13. Techniques and Tips • Mental Attitude is Important • RUN Op: The assist op is there to help you. You may have to slow down your CQs to let him work folks. • ASSIST Op: You are there to help, but RUN Op takes precedence, and you need to stop if he requests you to do so. • RUN + ASSIST = Higher ScoreWork together as a team to reach to goal.RUN Op: The assist op is there to help you. You may have to slow down your CQs to let him work folks. • RUN + ASSIST = Higher ScoreWork together as a team to reach to goal.

  14. Techniques and Tips • Teamwork Tips • ASSIST Op informs RUN of intent to assist. • ASSIST and RUN agree on signals either verbal or hand: • “Stop sending” • “Pause after your current CQ stops” • “I got him! QRX while I work him.” • “Call CQ now!” • “Can you hear him (the mult)?”

  15. Techniques and Tips • CW Speed • RUN: Send fast, but leave longer spaces between CQs (Set AutoRepeat to 5 seconds or more) • ASSIST • Send as fast as possible • Call only once • Brief signal report only. “TU 5NN5” • No paddle sending. Just F4 and F2. • IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE OF THE CALL!

  16. Techniques and Tips • Working the Available Window • Left click on spots to find “Easy QSOs” • Loud, fast CW • Familiar callsign of good operator • Work from the bottom up • Avoid packet pileups on garden variety QSOs • Older spots are usually CQing with no answers • Mults are important…BUT SO ARE QSOS! • At end of 2010 CQ SSB, 7 QSOs = 1 Mult

  17. Techniques and Tips • Cleaning Up the Available Window • After several checks, delete non-existent spots (band went out, he QSYed, etc.) • Left click on spot in Available, then Alt-D • Right click on spot, then “Delete Spot” from menu

  18. Techniques and Tips • Busted Spots – Single Occurrences PRIME DIRECTIVE – COPY THE CALL!! Never assume that the packet spot is correct! Always verify the call before logging. • If you are sure a spot is busted and it’s a dupe, delete it from Available, and move on. • If it is busted but not a dupe, work it if possible, then delete the busted spot • If you can’t work it, delete the bust, and “Store” the correct call by entering it into the Entry window, and then tuning off. (Or press Alt-O, followed by F11.)

  19. Techniques and Tips • Busted Spots – Multiple Occurrences PRIME DIRECTIVE – COPY THE CALL!! Never assume that the packet spot is correct! Always verify the call before logging. • Reverse Beacon Network can generate multiple occurrences of the same bust • Humans can as well • “Blacklist” a recurring bust: • Right click on the spot in Available or Bandmap • Select “Blacklist <callsign>” • Each computer has its own “Blacklist” • CAUTION – BE SURE IT IS A RECURRING BUST. OTHERWISE JUST DELETE IT.

  20. Techniques and Tips Partnering with the RUN operator • N1MM allows the ASSIST operator to work the same pileup as RUN • Sequence: • Right click on “cue ball” for RUN station in the INFO window and select “Target for call stacking” • Press Alt-Q to move to RUN’s CQ frequency • Calls entered will appear in the frame above RUN’s Entry window. Use F11 to wipe the call. • RUN uses to “Shift+Enter” to grab the stacked call.

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