How to obtain SO2R 2BSIQ or a 400 QSO rate w Flex

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Follwing a discussion with Jon EA2OT on how to obtain the effective 2BSIQ QSO rate that well known contester CT1BOH introduced here is the continuing of this evaluation we started on another thread. Background: "Thank you again for the feedback. I can ́t tell you how to solve the audio switching issue because I "still" don ́t own a 6600 or 6700. I will really appreciate if you can continue with some more tests. I have been using a 6300 for almost 3 years but I just sold it to buy a new one. The purchase decision of a 6600 will depend on these audio switching capabilities. As I explained before, I have been doing 2BSIQ operation during the last 3 CQ WW CW using 2 radios and a Microham u2R. With this device it is possible to configure the audio you want to hear at each "QSO moment". The configuration I was using is as follows: - Stereo audio selected on N1MM+. If no TX, RX1 in left ear, RX2 in right ear - Microham receives the info from the 2 radio ́s PTTs from N1MM. When TX1, RX2 in both ears. When TX2, RX1 in both ears. Could you please try to make the following tests? Test 1: Please configure N1MM in SO2R operation, create 2 different radios with one CAT asigned to each one ot them (Slice A = Radio 1 with CAT1 asigned, Slice B = Radio 2 CAT2 asigned). Then choose Stereo mode with tilde key and select "Swap other" and "Focus other", and very important, select "Run" on both radios as well. At this moment, if no TX, you shall be hearing both radios in Stereo (Slice A on left ear, Slice B on right ear), is that correct? Then, if TX1 you shall hear RX2 on both ears (or are you hearing RX2 just on right ear?) Opposite situation when TX2... This audio switching is happening with the help of "Swap other" or "focus other" I ́m not sure which one of them (Sorry I can ́t test it at this moment on N1MM). Test 2: If the previous test is not working as expected, please try using "Dueling CQ" feature of N1MM with "Ctrl+B". An extract from N1MM manual explaining what "Dueling CQ" mode does: Dueling CQ's will send CQ alternately on each radio (Ctrl+B) If dueling CQ's is enabled, and CQ sent then both radios become Run radios Ctrl+F1 or Ctrl+Enter will not start Dueling CQ Dueling SSB and CW CQ's (different modes in each Entry window) are supported When you disable Dueling CQs, the pre-existing SO2R options are restored I hope one ot these 2 ways to operate 2BSIQ will work! Cross my fingers. Please let me know if it works. Thank you! Jon, EA2OT"

Jon_EA2W

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi Jon, sorry for "slow reply" but I have started testing.

Sorry to say but N1MM with one keyboard only does not produce what we want (mono mode when other radio transmits and then stereo when no radio transmits) . With stereo mode or mono (both ears to one radio) N1MM keeps the same audio pattern regardless of which "QSO moment" to talk 2BSIQ language. If you want to hear split audio between switching TX1 to 2 or vice versa you have go for it the whole time (unless switching to mono mode).

This applies to alternate CQ as well.
"Focus other" no difference.

Then I tried two keyboards but the audio switching was not correct all times. Sometimes when doing CQ on radio 2 the audio on radio 1 was muted. So someting is not working as expected.

73 Kari SM0HRP

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

HiJon, how do you connect radio 1 and 2 output (the CW key) of mikro2R to your 6300 with only on keyer input? 73 Kari

Jon_EA2W

Jon_EA2W

Hi Kari,

I was using another radio together with the 6300. The 6300 was connected to just one output.

73! Jon

Jon_EA2W

Andy - KU7T

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi Andy, thanks for the input. Glad to hear you are digging into SO2R. It really opens up new possibilities.
I cannot find the STEREO macro for SO2R. Only a STEREOON for LPT.
The 2BSIQ scheme really makes SO2R more effecient. To be able to switch to stereo mode when no TX is a "must".

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Jon, how can I reach you over email?

N2TTA

Hi guys
How you handle SSB pile up on both radio? When you need quickly answers to second radio
Before when I used 2 radio, I used two foot switch, and was easy to answer at any radio hands free.
Any idea how to connect two footswitch to maestro or to logger?
I know N1MM and DXLog has those options, but is not just plug and play, requires some work

Jon_EA2W

Hi Kari,

Please use ea2ot (at) yahoo.com

Thanks!

Jon_EA2W

Hi Andy,

I didn´t thought about N1MM macros! Maybe {STEREOON} and {STEREOOFF} macros may do the trick.

As far as I know, ADVSO2R is a feature from the former N1MM but is not used anymore. The OTRSP macros will depend on how the Flex radio reacts to these macros, and I think will be similar to the reaction to "focus other" and "swap other".

So, maybe a try with {STEREOOFF} at the begining of all the predefined CW messages and {STEREOON} may work.

Thank´s for your involvement in this matter. It´s very much appreciated.

Best regards,

Jon, EA2OT

Jon_EA2W

Jon_EA2W

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi Jon, tried this but it does not the trick. However got some real good advice from Nathan N4YDU which brings me close to the final solution. Soon we will be there. So you go ahead and place your order for a new Flex

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi Jon, just wanted to say that I got 2BSIQ working today after lots of testing with macros. I made a video that I will load up later when back from work assignment.
I have left my remote QTH where my station is so I have not all macro info here.
I wanted to tell you.
73 Kari.

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi Andy, could you tell me what "activate RX" means in the {OTRSP} macros? I cannot see a defintion. 73 Kari

Jon_EA2W

Hi Kari!

That´s really very good news! I really appreciate your efforts and I´m looking forward to see your video. I´m going to place my order, I hope to have the new rig in the coming weeks to play with it and get it ready for the next contest :-)

73! Jon

Jon_EA2W

Great to know it! As far as I know, Nathan was using Flex6600M in his last contests so he has for sure some experience with it. If you are reading this thread, thank you also for your help Nathan!

73! Jon

Andy - KU7T

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi Jon, I made this video rapidly. I hope it shows that it works. I got a "transmit slice not selected" message once as you see. I may have changed the delay switching or used the wrong winkeyer.
See here: https://youtu.be/fUlysbfSkX4.
73 Kari
P.S. Look at Maestro and Speaker symbol (sometimes crossed when muted slice and other slice in mono) to see when stereo or mono).D.S.

Andy - KU7T

Cool. Thanks for sharing. Can you share your the important changes to your macro file? I am curios to know where you ended up using the OSTRP or STEREO macros...

Thanks,
Andy
KU7T

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Andy - KU7T

Hi Kari,
I still see the message "transmit slice messages" occasionally.  However, it does not seem to mess up the timing or PTT switching between N1MM+ and the Flex if the 
QSK setting in the radio is set to 0 (as discussed before). Flex is aware of this as a bug and promised to work on it. 

BTW, I am practicing with the N1MM+ Morserunner training mode (2 Morserunner instances, one for each slice, 2 keyboards, slices in in different ears, 6600M realistically keyed via CAT and power turned to 0W, 2 dummy loads connected). Very, very nice way to practice. Give it a shot.

73
Andy
KU7T

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi Andy, cool. How well does morserunner in SO2R work? Tried a year ago but many functions not working. How do you differentiate morserunner for two slices? 73 Kari

Andy - KU7T

Kari, 

we are getting off-topic now. Lets take it to email. Please little r me at ku7t [at] ku7t [dot] org and we can discuss in person.

73
Andy

Jon_EA2W

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi John, thanks. Yes I have tried DXLog but I cannot figure out how to get the stereo mode in "Time slot 4". And often when i stereo mode DXLog changes by itself to mono mode. Are you sure N6MJ works in full 2BSIQ mode? I will send you an email later in afternoon John 73s P.S. I have now tested two keyboards in N1MM and you are right it is easier. My prejudges fooled me. I can easily come up to 200 QSO/h. This with morserunner only - no radio. D.S.

Jon_EA2W

Bill - W9KKN

Kari, any chance you could share the macros you ended up making for this? I've put 2 & 2 together and I think I have this mostly working, but want to see another example...