One technique that allows for a higher point total in contesting is SO2V. Standard operation involves receiving and transmitting on a single frequency. The FT-1000MP transceiver supports SO2V, which works by receiving two frequencies simultaneously—one in the right earpiece and the other in the left earpiece. During transmission, reception of both frequencies is blocked.
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You can use the keyboard controls in the contest log to switch between frequencies. In N1MM+, you can switch between VFO A and VFO B by pressing CTRL+right arrow (or left arrow)
Why SO2V?
I use SO2V because it allows me to make call-sign-based contacts and do a bit of hunting at the same time. Some stations participating in the OM Activity Contest only join for a few minutes, during which they transmit on a specific call sign. If I were calling on a different frequency at that time, I might miss such a station.
Obviously, no station broadcasts exclusively on a call basis. If stations that primarily transmit on call decide to search for contacts at the same time, they’ll miss each other on the band.
SO2V therefore allows you to make some extra contacts.
Why not SO2V?
Receiving two signals simultaneously is significantly more challenging than receiving on a single frequency. A second disadvantage is the possibility of losing the on-call frequency while making a connection on the other frequency.
What does SO2V operation look like in the OM Activity Contest?
- I start the April round at 3754 kHz, but due to interference, after a few contacts I move slightly lower to 3753.5 and later all the way down to 3753 kHz, then back to 3754 kHz
- After the contact with OM6APR, I switch VFO B to TX 3770 kHz and call OK1FCJ. We complete the contact immediately
- I press CTRL+left arrow and continue calling CQ on 3754 kHz, where two other stations are calling (OK2EE and OM2KI)
- At that moment, I’m already tuning the RX on VFO B to 3703 kHz and listening to OM0AAJ. The contact here is quick as well
- I press CTRL+left arrow and continue calling CQ on 3754 kHz, but no one is calling
- At the same time, on the VFO B receiver, I find OM6TX at 3711.3 kHz and make a quick connection here as well
- I press CTRL+left arrow and continue calling CQ on 3754 kHz, making contacts with OM8AAM and OM2JK
- On VFO B, I find OM7KW at 3768.2 kHz
- I press CTRL+left arrow and continue calling CQ on 3754 kHz, making contacts with OM1DK and OM7AXL
- At that moment, I find OM2RL on 3764.8 kHz on VFO B
- Since no one is responding to my call on VFO A at 3754 kHz, I switch the TX to VFO B and call OM2RL
- Immediately after finishing the contact, I’m back on VFO A at 3754 kHz and continue calling
- On RX VFO B, I find OM3KEG at 3763 kHz and make a contact with him as well
- This takes a little longer, and the open frequency VFO A 3754 kHz is being used by OK2VPX, who is starting his call here
- So I can’t continue my call and go searching instead
I managed 6 contacts using SO2V. Is that a lot or a little?
Analysis of the OM Activity Contest
At this point, the submission period isn’t over yet, but most stations have already submitted their logs. The difference among the top nine logs in the QRO/SSB category so far is 6 contacts—ranging from exactly 66 to 72 contacts. Just one or two extra contacts can shift the rankings by several positions. For example, if Peťo OM6TX made just one more contact—which was also a multiplier—he would tie with me for first place.
- I assume I could have made all the stations mentioned by searching for them as well. But I would have missed out on the contacts made by calling.
- I assume that by continuously transmitting a call, I wouldn’t have made contact with some of these stations.
- The assumption that a mix of calling and searching would also yield an identical result cannot be confirmed or refuted.
- However, the option of spending more time calling and the option of simultaneously searching for stations by tuning increases the likelihood of establishing a unique connection.
Conclusion
SO2V does not require any technical modifications and is therefore free of charge, unlike SO2R. It is more demanding to operate and almost certainly has the potential to yield a few additional contacts.