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Single Operator Assisted: Fun and Technology in Contesting

Discover the benefits of Single Operator Assisted (SOA) mode in contesting, including improved scores, fun competition, and utilization of advanced technology. Learn how to play SOA and optimize your station for maximum performance. Join the SOA team and experience the thrill of beating big-guns and achieving personal bests.

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Single Operator Assisted: Fun and Technology in Contesting

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  1. Contest Operating – Single Op Assisted Bill Hider, N3RR

  2. Single Operator Assisted - SOA Early years – Local nets 1960s, 1970s & 1980s – Spotting nets on 2M Some of us entered as Single-Multi before SOA was available Then single operator plus Packet FINALLY: 1989 – CQ Introduces Single Operator Unlimited 1990 – ARRL Introduces Single Operator Assisted Why would anyone use this mode??? Why would you want to help your competitors?

  3. WHY Single Operator Assisted? To Have Fun On The Bands & With TECHNOLOGY!! Let’s individual “little-gun” & “big-gun” single-ops use the band-hearing abilities of Real-Big-Guns and compete for the QSOs that they would not otherwise work. But, For N3RR, It’s the FUN & Technology!

  4. WHY Single Operator Assisted? • Club members who are serious about the club score • Casual operators will improve their scores using Packet networks • Small stations that want to work more QSOs than they otherwise would

  5. How About You? WHY Single Operator Assisted? • Want to hear more than you can work? • Want to know what band to go NOW? • Want to have MORE FUN? • Want to be in the Packet pileups more often?

  6. How Do You Play Single Operator Assisted? There are several ways: Use Packet & work the spots as they come out Use Packet but run & run & run until you can’t, then work the spots Use Packet, run & run, then go to the “rare” ones as they are put-out Use Packet to give you an idea where to be, but otherwise, just pretend you’re a SO

  7. How Does N3RR Play Single Operator Assisted? 1. Use Packet & work the spots as they come out – I have. It’s fun! Catch my technology presentation. 2. Use Packet but run & run & run until you can’t, then work the spots – Ugggh, sounds too serious 3. Use Packet, run & run, then go to the “rare” ones as they are put-out – Could get distracted (per K3WW – Single Op Distracted) This is FUN, but results in lower scores. 4. Use Packet to give you an idea where to be, but otherwise, just pretend you’re a SO – Ugggh 5. Optimize your station for Packet spot reception & response – That’s Me!

  8. How Does N3RR Play Single Operator Assisted? Station Design (ref: www.erols.com/n3rr) N3RR station is designed for DX contesting using stacks on 20/40 With high antennas on 160/80 But, any tri-bander with wires on 160/80 will work for SOA. I do not use 2-radios. Too complex to operate & too much like work. Tried it, don’t like it. The integration of technology & automation into the N3RR station allows me to have a pretty good score and still have FUN!

  9. How Should You Play Single Operator Assisted? Station Design Small station? One antenna/band? One radio? Small lot? I had that from 1978 – 1994. Well, I’d advise using SOA & Packet to ASSIST you, not distract you. Use the spots. Run when you can. Keep you “personal best” in front of you – go for “a better personal best”! You can incorporate technology: Point & shoot antenna control Automated keyboard Simple, easy to use, logging software Fast band switching to and from the spots – solid state equipment

  10. How Does N3RR Play Single Operator Assisted? N3RR Station

  11. How Does N3RR Play Single Operator Assisted? N3RR Station

  12. How Does N3RR Play Single Operator Assisted? N3RR Station 52 ft Tower 134 ft Tower

  13. How Does N3RR Play Single Operator Assisted? One radio – IC-781 One amplifier – PW-1 (Solid-state switching) Multiple antennas Rx & Tx Automated keyboard Other automation (Sunday @ 9AM) Point & shoot antenna rotating (mostly) Items to minimize work, maximize fun, and minimize headaches

  14. N3RR – Technology in Contesting 9:00 AM Tomorrow!

  15. Should You Play Single Operator Assisted? • If you’re a SO now, and not #1 in the pack, here’s what SOA will do for you: • Increase your score • Increase your fun • Keep you level of interest UP. • Not tire you out as quickly • Give you a thrill when you beat out a big-gun in the pileup • Give you a thrill when you are the first one to a spot! • Give you a thrill when you beat your previous personal best • Give you a thrill to be part of the SOA team which meets on spot frequencies within 4 seconds of the putout everysingletime!

  16. Here’s a Secret Weapon for Single-Op Success! Attitude Determines Results When you’re in a pile-up, wanting to work that “rare” DX station, the DX station doesn’t know you’re using a dipole at 40 feet with 250 Watts. Just assume, in your mind, that you’ve got a 199 foot tower with a 4-stack on the band of interest and a 1.5 KW amp tuned to 1:1 SWR. Then jump into the fray. You will be pleasantly surprised at the result! Is this scientific? Is this logical? Maybe not, but it works. Reference: “Think and Grow Rich”, by Napoleon Hill

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