what does so2r do

Jim Shaffer

I know that SO2R refers to Single Operator, 2 Receivers, but what does the SO2REnable call really do?

Steve N4LQ

Looks like it enables SO2R.
Enablers are often bad influences. 

Martin AA6E

Single op 2 RADIO. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SO2R

Bill Axelrod

SO2R stands for Single Operator, Two Radio.  It is a technique that contesters use to improve their scores while operating as a single operator.  

Traditionally we use two separate radios set to two bands for SO2R.  To be legal, only one radio can be transmitting at at time.  For example, you might have radio 1 operating on 15 meters and Radio 2 operating on 20 meters.  Each has its own antenna.  

The operator calls CQ on one radio 15 meter radio.  While he is doing that and answering the stations calling him, he is also tuning around on Radio 2 (which, in this example is on 20 meters) search and pouncing (S&P) on stations that he has not worked yet and for needed multipliers.

This technique is a good way for experienced operators to increase their score.  But SO2R doesn't come cheap.  You need two radios, more antennas, expensive filtering, and complex controls.

Flex is authoring a significant paradigm shift by implementing SO2R in the Flex 6000 series SDRs.  You will be able to do SO2R with just one radio.  All the switching, control, and filtering is built into one radio.  Flex will halve the cost of a SO2R station, reduce station complexity significantly, while providing a radio that is a the top of the chart in functionality and design.

73...   Bill K3WA

Pat WW9R

I can't wait until we order the SO2R box. This is just one more reason I think the 6300 is a great contest radio. I can't wait for the contest season to get started.

Walt - KZ1F

Bill great response! Don't we already have that? In my case and some others, we have a log periodic antenna such that transmitting on 20, in your case, it merely means selecting transmit on slice b. What does another piece of hardware provide? Thanks, Walt - kz1f

Bill Axelrod

Hi Walt.  What we have now is close, but not SO2R - YET.  If you have a 6300 or 6500 you can listen on Slice A and Slice B on different bands at the same time.  They will share an antenna.   But when you transmit on either Slice, you can not receive on either slice.  If you have a 6700 you have most of the prerequisites but still not SO2R.  

Flex is working on a solution that should be out later this year.  With a software change the 6700 will do SO2R.  The 6500 and 6300 will use that software, along with a hardware enhancement.  The hardware will be mounted in another box the same size as the radio.  The hardware will include filtering and switching circuitry. You will need a lot of internal filtering to protect the receiver front end.

You will still need separate antennas.  If you try transmitting into a log periodic while having a separate receiver connected to it, the odds are very high you will burn out the front end immediately.  You will still need a separate antenna(s) to do SO2R.

73...   Bill K3WA

Walt - KZ1F

Thanks for that clarification Bill. I do not mean this to knock anything but it seems a prerequisite for any of this lies with the operator's skill at processing two 'conversations' simultaneously. I'm not sure I'd be terribly successful at it.

KY6LA_Howard

Walt. It's easier than you think It just takes a lot of practice to build your skill levels

Lewis Cheek

Walt, it's really not too difficult if one is running cw or rtty and using n1mm. N1MM will do most of the work, you just need to push a key or two. I guess it works just as well if you're using a dvr for phone.

It does take a lot of extra hardware in way of filters/stubs/ and of course extra antennas. You might be able to do it with one amp, if it can re-tune quickly, however that may be long pole in tent.

Lew
N4CO

Bill Axelrod

Lew makes a good point.  Learning to do SO2R is easier on RTTY because the software does the listening and decoding.  But it is possible to learn.  Think about when your spouse and children try talking to you at the same time.  Your mind figures out how to "copy" both at the same time.  Ha.

Meanwhile, with the Flex approach to SO2R, the filters, switching, etc are all built in.And, we can expect to see a new solid state amp from another vendor that will be able to do full SO2R in one auto-tune amplifier.  I, for one,can't wait.

Stan VA7NF

The antenna side can be handled by a 200W triplexer (lookup DuneStar) which is essentially two (three) filters in a box (highpass, lowpass, what remains) each with around 15db isolation between them.  This separation is insufficient to protect a receiver front end so then they have a band pass filter on each band's input/output port that fully protects the equipment.

With this and a single antenna that handles 3 bands (say 10, 15, 20) with up to three transmitter/receivers may share that antenna with Rx/Tx in any combination.  This will work for a tri-bander or LP but will not work for a SteppIR type antenna that tunes for each band.  

With separate antennae the duplexer/triplexer is not necessary but the band pass filters on each is mandatory to protect the equipment.

The slide shown on Burt's video indicated V1.5 includes full duplex for the flex, that is essential to listen on one band while transmitting on another. 

Now to see what (else?) is contained in the box for switching - when announced.