Single Op, Two Radios (SO2R)

1
Single Op, Two Radios (SO2R)

• What..Why.When
• Where
• And.How
• By Jim Jordan, K4QPL

2
PREFACE TO SO2R POWER POINT PRESENTATION   This
power point presentation is designed for a live
group, with questions, comments, asides, and all
the other things that keep something from being
just dry reading. Even the original presentation
suffered from Murphys Law when our regular
meeting place had double booked our room and I
had to shout over the noise from the regular bar
patrons. Remember, this is an outline. If you
have questions, comments, different opinions, or
would like more info on a specific topic, please
dont hesitate to contact me. Email is the best
way, K4QPL_at_NC.RR.COM   Using a second radio is
not something that you can or cant do. Its
probably easier, and definitely less dangerous,
than driving a car while talking on a cell phone.
And the analogy is a good one for other reasons.
While you may be OK having a casual conversation
on the cell phone while driving in light traffic,
a serious conversation in heavy traffic should
   
3
prompt you to either hang up the phone or pull
off the road. The same rules apply to using a
second radio in a contesting situation. As you
become more confident in your skills, you may
increase your workload and use the second radio
more often in a contest. But theres nothing that
says you have to. Many contesters, who are very
good operators, do not do SO2R. For some, theyve
reached a point where they are comfortable with
what they are doing and couldnt be bothered with
it. Sort of the old dogs, new tricks idea.
Others have tried it and found that for various
reasons it doesnt work for them, or maybe theway
they process information makes it more difficult.
(This is a real factorI recently took a course
in which the instructor outlined these
differences which have nothing whatsoever to do
with intelligence.) Others simply fear that they
will make a mistake and sound liddish. Well,
that can happen. Who never fell off their bicycle
while learning? And the very nature of SO2R
operations sometimes causes inconvenience and
sounds like youve gone to sleep,  
4
or your keyer is cutting out when heard from the
perspective of the ham on one band only.  
Overload does happen. No matter how slow your run
is before, the moment you commit to a qso on the
other radio your run frequency will be attacked
by QSB, QRN, a 4 call pileup and a poacher trying
to take your spot! The only response is to
realize that if thats the worst thing to happen
in your life, just praise your favorite god or
saint and do the best you can. Another thing to
remember is that SO2R is NOT the greatest thing
since sliced bread. It is just one more tool in
your contesting kit for use under certain
conditions. Its mostly used to best advantage to
pick up multipliers without stopping a good
run.  So my challenge is, even if you say that
SO2R is not for you, go through the presentation,
make a few adjustments in your station, and then,
in the privacy of your own shack, when a contest
gets slow, sneak out and drop your call on
another run station with your second radio. See
if the rush and the satisfaction doesnt make you
come back for more!
5
WHAT..
  In choosing from available equipment for SO2R,
the preferred SP radio should be your QRP
radio to avoid overload your separate tx and
rx for easier tuning your better LP transceiver
your not as good LP transceiver.  

• Contesting setup with capability to listen on two
  frequencies simultaneously and rapidly switch
  between them for transmitting.
• Contacts are logged in sequence regardless of
  radio used.
• Two radios do NOT transmit at the same time.
  Casual observer may think otherwise.
• Not the same as dual receiver or two VFO radio.
  (Second Rx cant listen while transmitting).
• Can be set up for cw or ssb

6
WHY..

• Gathering info on other bands while keeping a run
  going. Easier with second radio than dual
  receive/VFO radio.
• Maintaining a run while finding and working
  multipliers.
• Increasing overall rate by SP when run rate is
  below max capability. Probable SO2R points
  increase best for LP where separate run and SP
  rates are slower. QRP run is problem
• Running two slow bands (Dueling CQs)
• MORE FUN, MORE POINTS!

7
WHEN

• ONLY when you have spare time. Normally not at
  beginning of test. If you are working stations at
  a good rate, dont be distracted by trying to do
  SO2R.
• When the band you can run on is unlikely to have
  the multipliers you need. 20 may be your best
  run/rate band, but you suspect VY1JA is on 10.
• When the run rate slows, but theres nowhere else
  to go. (End of contest doldrums)

8
WHERE

• NOT on your run band. Major QRM problems .and
  you may fry your second receiver. It can be done,
  but risky, especially HP. OK for QRP.
• Avoid harmonics. If you expect to SP a higher
  band than your run radio, choose a higher run
  frequency. Example SP 40. Run 3512 (7024) Bad
  Run gt3540 (7080) Good.
• Preview. Run 20, preview 40 as 20M skip goes out.
  40M SO2R SP.
• Cleanup. Move run to 40, SP 20 until it dies.
  Then preview 80.
• Use preview and cleanup to establish run on a
  band BEFORE the mob arrives and without losing
  QSOs.

9
How..(Equipment)

• Basic Intro Low Power. Second radio, separate
  antenna, software for SO2R mode, mono/stereo Y
  and stereo headset. NR type great. 2
  paddles/mikes or switches (unless you use
  software and keyboard). Run with best radio/ants.
• Basic competitive Add SO2R antenna switching
  (SixPak or equivalent) If tribander, add dipoles.
  Voice keyer or .wav files for SSB.
• Serious Add better second radio both
  interfaced a box for audio and other switching
  functions. May need filters or stubs for some
  bands.
• Pro High Power. Filtering (Band pass or Stubs).
  Monoband gain antennas for 20-10. Consider same
  band mult hunting (CAUTION).

10
How.(Software)

• Most contesting software is SO2R capable. Learn
  about yours. (Cant compare or train in this
  program)
• General rules Keep it short, simple, clear
• Use differential speed in exchanges.
• CW Fast 5NN Slow N C
• SSB DVK Fyny clearly November Charlie.
• Experiment with length of CQs. Try to match
  with average exchange receive time.
• If Assisted mode, packet interfaced band map on
  second radio is GREAT. Just click on the spots.
  LISTEN to confirm. There are a lot of busted
  calls out there.

11
How(Operating)

• Practice listening in stereo (two rag chews)
• Learn the keystrokes. Label the F keys and have
  a short cheat sheet. Searching the Help manual
  during the QSO is not an option!
• See Making the First One below.
• Keep on doing it. Practice makes perfect is a
  good slogan for SO2R.
• Use the highest level of equipment (excluding HP)
  you can afford. The enhancements make SO2R
  easier, not harder. Go HP only when your station
  is ready and youve minimized the lid factor!

12
How.Making the First One.

• Choose your opportunity
• Run is slow on your radio. No pileups.
• Mult is strong but doesnt have pileups. Not too
  fast.
• Good op, doesnt ask for a lot of fills.
• Pre-logging reduces stress, errors and fills
• Write down his call, non-variable info and also
  pre-enter that into SO2R program if it lets you.
• Write down time and his number sequence. Update
  as needed.
• Rehearse in your mind including fills if needed
• Mind the store while you plan
• Dont lose run qsos or lose your frequency

13
Making the First One, Page 2

• Ready, set, GO
• Wait for an alignment (your CQ ends just before
  his and you have no response. This will give you
  a few extra seconds)
• Drop your call (Initiate the software SO2R
  sequence)
• When he comes back, block everything else out of
  your mind and ENTER HIS EXCHANGE.
• Send his exchange and wait for acknowledgment.
  Send fills if necessary.
• ONLY THEN listen to run radio and see whats
  happening there.
• HOOOOOOOOO AHHHHHH!

14
Resources 1

• SO2R operating position at K4QPL. No, not
  left handed. Many CW operators tune radios with
  their left hand. Leaves right hand free for
  paddle, etc. Good for SO2R.

15
Resources 2

Six Pak SO2R Remote Antenna Switch Ameritron
Remote (Daisychain 2x40M) K4QPL homebrew
interface, audio, and signaling SO2R box.
16
Resources 3
Screen during NC QSO Party using TR-Log in SO2R
mode. Note clear radio identificationband in
black box, frequency highlighted, and red Radio
B marker. When other radio is active all IDs
change and the radio box turns green. Also note
Dueling CQ warning and alternating 40M and 20M
QSOs in log.
17
Resources 4
VISUALIZE TWO QSOS IN CW SO2R. BOLD your
transmissions Underline other stations Run
Radio                                SP Radio
CQ TEST K4QPL                 Tuning for new
ones Listen to Run radio                         
          F5IN     F5IN 5NN NC                  
          Listen to Run radio 5NN 300 TU
K4QPL                         Tuning (you come
across TM0A CQ TEST K4QPL                
K4QPL  (when he stands by)CQ Test K4QPL
optional               K4QPL 5NN100interrupt CQ
if necessary           TU 5NN NC when he is
doneCQ Test K4QPL                 TU TMOA
QRZ                 Listen to Run
radio              Tuning (Suggestions for
this screen courtesy N4ZR)
18
Resources 5

ICE Band pass Filter www.iceradioproducts.com/
Array Solutions Six Pak www.arraysolutions.com
USB to 4 serial ports by www.cooldrives.com
W1GEE interface cable at www.sarrio.com
Single USB CAT interface from www.westmountainradi
o.com
W3NQN single band filters From Array Solutions.