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– 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

N7IR “SO3R”

June 2004 ARRL VHF QSO Party

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

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

Radio A Radio B

SO2RController

Band Switch

80 meterDipole All Band

Vertical2el 40 Tribander

Keyer

Footswitch

Headphones

MicrophoneComputer

PTTTX AudioRX Audio

Keying

DX Doubler

Top Ten Devices $195

SO2R Master

Array Solutions $275 (Out of Production)

Super Combo Keyer

ZS4TX $340 (2002 price)

W5XD MK-1100 Multikeyer

WriteLog K5DJ $215

EZ Master

Ham Radio Solutions $599(USB port compatible)

The “all singing, all dancing” solution

EZ Master

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

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

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

K7UP SO2R QRP

N6TR SO2R QRO

CN2R

PY5EG

ZS4TX

N7IR SO2R

June 2005 VHF QSO Party

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€

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

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

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