1 / 26

Single-op Two Radio Not Just for Contesting

Single-op Two Radio Not Just for Contesting. Gary Hembree N7IR. Single-op Two Radio (SO2R). One operator using two radios as efficiently as possible almost always with computer assistance Why would you do it? How do you do it? When would you do it?. SO2R – Why?. Contesting

rod
Download Presentation

Single-op Two Radio Not Just for Contesting

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Single-op Two RadioNot Just for Contesting Gary Hembree N7IR

  2. Single-op Two Radio (SO2R) One operator using two radios • as efficiently as possible • almost always with computer assistance • Why would you do it? • How do you do it? • When would you do it?

  3. SO2R – Why? • Contesting • Improve QSO rate by using idle time • DX hunting on two bands at once • Get that rare DXpedition on two bands! • Monitor conditions on a higher/lower band • Keep an ear on another frequency while chasing DX

  4. N7IR “SO3R” June 2004 ARRL VHF QSO Party

  5. SO2R – How? • Hardware • Two radios: A and B • Two antennas for each band (or a complex switch) • A/B switch for TX/RX audio, PTT and keying • Two band switches for antennas and filters • Logging Software • Controls an output line to switch from A to B • Reads data from and writes commands to the radios

  6. Minimal Hardware • Add a cheap transceiver to existing station • Add an all band vertical antenna • Site this antenna as far as possible from main station antenna • Buy or build a SO2R controller • Use band-pass filters or stubs as necessary • To control interference between radio A and B

  7. 80 meter Dipole All Band Vertical 2el 40 Tribander PTT TX Audio RX Audio Keying Band Switch Radio A Radio B Keyer SO2R Controller Microphone Computer Footswitch Headphones

  8. DX Doubler Top Ten Devices $195

  9. SO2R Master Array Solutions $275 (Out of Production)

  10. Super Combo Keyer ZS4TX $340 (2002 price)

  11. W5XD MK-1100 Multikeyer WriteLog K5DJ $215

  12. EZ Master Ham Radio Solutions $599 (USB port compatible)

  13. EZ Master The “all singing, all dancing” solution

  14. SO2R Modes • Full Manual – set panel switches by hand • Auto TX – logging program selects TX only • Auto TX, PTT Audio – listen to non-TX radio • Full Auto – logging program selects TX, RX

  15. SO2R Audio Tricks • Mix a small amount of each audio channel into the other • Use phase reversal switch on Heil Proset to create spatial separation of signals • Practice, practice, practice

  16. SO2R Ergonomics • Spatial arrangement – logical to you • Run radio on left, mult radio on right • Keep all frequently used controls close • Minimize head movement and neck strain • Place computer monitor at eye level

  17. K7UP SO2R QRP

  18. N6TR SO2R QRO

  19. CN2R

  20. PY5EG

  21. ZS4TX

  22. N7IR SO2R June 2005 VHF QSO Party

  23. SO2R Contest Software • DOS • CT: Good SO2R but broken a lot; v9.74 best - free • TR Log: Reputed the best; steep learning curve! - $60 • NA: Good reputation - $60 • WIN • CTWin: Character mode only - free • N1MM: Very sophisticated; the best support - free • WriteLog: Good reputation; very good SO2R - $30/yr • Win-Test: Full integration with EZ Master - 50€

  24. SO2R Logging Software • Dxbase - $99 • Win-EQF: DOS program ported to Win - $60 (through GoList) • LOGic 7: Claims support for 8 radios at once, separate log sheets for each - $129

  25. SO2R – When? • Slow QSO rate periods during contests • Sunday afternoon; comb the bands for QSOs • While the run radio is CQing • Find a multiplier or another QSO point • Chasing a Dxpedition on multiple bands • Work them on two bands at a time • Find band openings • Monitor two bands at a time

  26. Bottom Line Reasons for SO2R • To be more competitive in contesting • Have more fun with existing equipment • Within its limitations • Stay challenged to improve your operating skills

More Related