SO2R (single operator, two radios) is used by skilled contesters to maximize their score. This comes at the expense of mental fatigue and a difficult learning curve. It is possible to practice offline with running simulators such as Morserunner, yet that is no substitute for reality, especially if you have a small station and need to S & P (search and pounce) quite a bit.
Among SO2R aficionados there are those who use one keyboard and those who use two. Both can work well, and you'll find a mix of techniques among the top contesters. The differences are many yet, I believe, can be roughly compared as follows:
- One keyboard: Less physically fatiguing since you hover over just the one keyboard. It can be more mentally fatiguing since you rely on special keys to change radio focus, carefully monitor the display to confirm radio and QSO state, enter what you hear in the correct radio window, deal with out-of-pattern situations such as requesting or responding to fills, etc. Once you become skilled the mental fatigue declines.
- Two keyboards: More physically fatiguing since you literally constantly switch between keyboards for each QSO state. Fatigue can be reduced with software features to direct commands from a keyboard to the other radio, automatic CQ, etc. With practice there is an improved economy of motion that reduces physical fatigue. Mental fatigue is lower since focus in determined by keyboard use without the needs to use and monitor radio and QSO state.
Operating desk
My operating desk for Sweepstakes was as shown below. The photo was manipulated to reduce the screen brightness, which unfortunately does not help much! Those familiar with N1MM should recognize the two entry windows at the centre bottom and their respective band maps at either side. The other windows I have open are not pertinent to SO2R.
When I use one keyboard it is in front of the display. The paddles and mouse would be on the right of the keyboard since I'm right handed. With two keyboards placing them between the keyboards worked the same for the left radio and required a bit of arm crossing when on the right radio. My manual headphone switch is behind the paddles. The manual antenna switch is on top of the right radio.
Compare this with a photo of my single keyboard setup and an explanation of my home brew headphone switch. Many operators using one keyboard, SO2R or not, persist in putting it in front of the radio and the display up above. Disadvantages include arms and hands dragging on the keyboard when operating the rig and constantly having to tilt the head up to look at the display. I keep the display low so that my head and neck stay relaxed and keep my reach to rig control unencumbered.
You have to touch the rig less than you might imagine. The exception is small stations since you must spin the VFO for S & P. With N1MM and other contest loggers there are a host of keyboard shortcuts for many rig features that, as you learn them, require far less manual control of the rigs.
Those with rigs with full software interfaces (e.g. Flex) and advanced station automation have no boxes and physical controls to deal with; the operator uses the keyboard or mouse. The typical setup for those stations is to place two or monitors side by side. For SO2R with two of these rigs there would be two PCs and therefore two keyboards. SDR rigs with two slices can share one PC and one keyboard.
Which is better for the SO2R novice?
As already mentioned, many of the top contesters continue to do SO2R with one keyboard and suffer no deficit in their results. For the experienced contester who is a novice at SO2R the choice can make a significant difference. Having tried both my tentative conclusion is that two keyboards is the better choice for the SO2R novice.
The major challenge with single keyboard SO2R is the steep learning curve. There are many balls to juggle and quite a few mistakes will be made. Although the software will usually put the typed call and exchange in the correct window each radio's QSO state and software focus must be constantly monitors and keys pressed to change focus as needed. Alternatively you can explicitly send commands to the opposite radio. Keeping it all straight takes practice, a lot of practice.
With two keyboards you can get started and be quite productive with far fewer critical operations to remember and use. Rather than change focus or direct commands you simply manipulate the keyboard associated with the desired radio. This comes at the cost of swivelling more in your chair and its attendant latency.
Another aid for novices is to use low power or even QRP as I did during Sweepstakes. The lower rate and lower value of dual CQing keeps the stress to a minimum. There will be fewer moments of intense activity. Another suggestion is to try SO2R in small and regional contests (e.g. QSO parties) where the activity level is lower or intermittent. By keeping the stress low while you learn you'll have more fun as you hone your skills.
Once you get the basics mastered you still have access to and can use keyboard controls to direct commands to the other radio. For example, to repeat an exchange on the other radio you can direct a command (CTRL-F2 in this case using N1MM) from the same keyboard you are entering info you are copying on the other radio. By cutting out some of the swivelling you reduce fatigue as your skills improve.
In time you may opt to switch to single keyboard SO2R. Choose which works for you. My suggestion is to try both rather than assume that one or the other is better. Keyboards are cheap and you probably have a spare collecting dust.
Go with wireless keyboards to reduce demand for limited USB ports (hubs don't always work well) and fewer opportunities for RF to get into the PC and cause glitches.
Plans going forward
I plan to replace the operating desk to be more contest friendly. It has to be longer to accommodate two operator positions (multi-op contesting), no drawers to bang knees into and reduce operator reach and have multiple levels to keep ancillary equipment within easy reach. As automation is deployed there will be less need for ancillary equipment, such as manual antenna switches, or the functions will be moved to software (PC control of rotators, antenna choice, etc.).
Because the keyboards make it more difficult to control buttons and dials a popular solution is to raise the rigs on a low shelf. There is less risk of accidental key presses when reaching for the rig. In some designs the keyboard can slip underneath the rig when not in use. Desk clutter is reduced when the station isn't being use.
Another shelf above the rig can support manually tuned amplifiers to keep them in easy reach to tune them after band changes, and for frequency and antenna changes within the same band.
Since the layout for two keyboard SO2R is similar to that for two operator multi-ops there is less work to do before and after the contest. Rotate a few boxes, roll up another chair and you're pretty well ready. The need for a second PC and display(s) will initially increase the complexity of transitions until the process becomes routine. The greater the degree of automation the fewer the items that must be rearranged.
Over the winter my shack plans will be refined. I'm not sure how much I'll actually do this winter except that I do want to be multi-op ready so that I can invite my friends over for contests. An effective SO2R station is a step along that path.
I consider myself an SO2R novice and I will keep practicing in contests and evaluating alternative station configurations.
Dear VE3VN it is very interested topic for me. when I starting SO2R I used one key board but now use two keyboard, I think depending on the situation we can prefer One or two keyboard, we can not decide which is better on any operating style. Thanks
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