Using SO2R to increase operating time
SO2R or no SO2R is not a question anymore for either the contester from a
rare location or from a common location. SO2R is a must if you want to maximize
your contest score.
I always read with amuzement articles regarding rate versus multiplier
strategy guides. They were useful before SO2R but not anymore. Be sure of two
facts:
SO2R can be used in different instances:
To fully understand the moments of the QSO let's simulate a Contest QSO between P40E and ZD8Z.
Imagine P40E calls CQ Contest and gets a big pile-up.
In the pile-up he spots ZD8Z and makes the QSO:
TEST P40E
ZD8Z
ZD8Z 599 9
599 36
TU P40E
This QSO can be divided in four moments. Check the different moments during a contest QSO (from P40E side) and the possible use of SO2R:
In moment 1 and 3 you should listen only to radio2 (R2;R2) - Allways listen on radio 2 when you transmiting with radio 1
In moment 2 if there is a big pile-up you should listen all the time to radio 1 (R1;R1). You don't want to mess up with the rate. One full callsign is the objective here. If the pile-up is small (1 to 2 stations calling) you should listen to both radios (R1;R2) and in this way maximize the time you are listening to radio 2, but you should only do it if your skills enable you to get one full callsign from radio 1 while listeing to radio 2 at the same time.
If your location is rare (DX) the majority of the time you will be listening to radio 1 only (R1;R1).
If your location is not rare (US, EU, JA) the majority of the time you will be listeing to both radios (R1;R2).
In moment 4 you should listen the majority of the time to both radios (R1;R2) and in this way maximize the time you are listeing to radio 2. While doing this attention shoud be paid to any possible corrections and the end of transmission of the station you are working. Sometimes you want to listen only to radio 1 (R1;R1) when signals are weak and need to check the zone report. While you are listening on radio 2 you will be doing two diferent activities:
Moment 1, depending if you are CQ or ending a QSO, the way you CQ or end a QSO, your callsign and your speed, can on average last from 150 ms to 3 seconds
Moment 2,3 and 4 on average can last about 3 seconds.
SO2R is un infinite series of 3 seconds, where your brain toggles back and forward between two radios.
After SO2R there cannot be SO1R anymore. If you have never done SO2R you have to do it to know WHY. If you do SO2R you know WHY!
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SO2R can be used in different instances:
- While running with radio 1 looking for multipliers on radio 2
- While running with radio 1 looking for QSO's on radio 2
- Working multipliers and QSO's with radio 2 on a different band while keeping the rate on radio 1
- Looking for a clear frequency when moving to a diferent band
- Moving to a new band
- Looking for clear frequencies to pass multipliers to different bands
- Checking bands, beacons, rare openings, your competition, etc.
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To fully understand the moments of the QSO let's simulate a Contest QSO between P40E and ZD8Z.
Imagine P40E calls CQ Contest and gets a big pile-up.
In the pile-up he spots ZD8Z and makes the QSO:
TEST P40E
ZD8Z
ZD8Z 599 9
599 36
TU P40E
This QSO can be divided in four moments. Check the different moments during a contest QSO (from P40E side) and the possible use of SO2R:
Moments in a QSO | Description | Example | Headphones (Left; Right) | ||
1 | Transmitting | CQ's and end of QSOs | TEST P40E TU P40E |
(R2; R2) | |
2 | Receiving | Pile-up | ZD8Z | (R1; R1) big pile-up |
(R1; R2) small pile-up |
3 | Transmitting | Sending Call and Report | ZD8Z ENN N | (R2; R2) | |
4 | Receiving | Getting report | TU 5NN 36 | (R1; R2) |
In moment 1 and 3 you should listen only to radio2 (R2;R2) - Allways listen on radio 2 when you transmiting with radio 1
In moment 2 if there is a big pile-up you should listen all the time to radio 1 (R1;R1). You don't want to mess up with the rate. One full callsign is the objective here. If the pile-up is small (1 to 2 stations calling) you should listen to both radios (R1;R2) and in this way maximize the time you are listening to radio 2, but you should only do it if your skills enable you to get one full callsign from radio 1 while listeing to radio 2 at the same time.
If your location is rare (DX) the majority of the time you will be listening to radio 1 only (R1;R1).
If your location is not rare (US, EU, JA) the majority of the time you will be listeing to both radios (R1;R2).
In moment 4 you should listen the majority of the time to both radios (R1;R2) and in this way maximize the time you are listeing to radio 2. While doing this attention shoud be paid to any possible corrections and the end of transmission of the station you are working. Sometimes you want to listen only to radio 1 (R1;R1) when signals are weak and need to check the zone report. While you are listening on radio 2 you will be doing two diferent activities:
- Tuning up or down trying to find a new multiplier or QSO
- Listening to a specific station to get his callsign or his zone or whatever that can identify him, before you go and work him or move on.
Moment 1, depending if you are CQ or ending a QSO, the way you CQ or end a QSO, your callsign and your speed, can on average last from 150 ms to 3 seconds
Moment 2,3 and 4 on average can last about 3 seconds.
SO2R is un infinite series of 3 seconds, where your brain toggles back and forward between two radios.
After SO2R there cannot be SO1R anymore. If you have never done SO2R you have to do it to know WHY. If you do SO2R you know WHY!
CT1BOH - José Carlos Cardoso Nunes - [email protected]