K=D8HB wrote:
wrote

Suppose I have a rig with two VFOs. I'm hunt-and-pouncing
QSOs on one frequency and listening to the pile on VY1JA
on another frequency on the same band. I toss my call at
VY1JA at appropriate moments. Is that SO2R or not?

No. At best it's SO1.5R.

Then we agree!

The line has to be drawn somewhere.

The line has already be drawn --- SO. The purists maintain
that whatever an SO
can do to improve his ability to run up a score should be
allowed. I'm inclined to agree.

Yet at the same time, there are usually power classes so the QRP' er
isn't up against the big gun. In some contests, packet spotting puts
you in a different class.

So there is a precedent for different categories.

The difference (to me, anyway) is that multiband SO2R
essentially takes two complete stations capable of
simultaneous operation even if they're
both not in transmit mode at the same moment.
That's where the line is - for me.

Would you draw additional lines at SO3R, SO4R, SO5R, etc?

Sure - but does anyone do those?

What about multiple simultaneous transmissions - say, calling CQ on
more than one band at a time?

OTOH, it could be argued that as long as there is only one
signal actually transmitted at any given time, and only one
operator, there's only one "station", regardless of how
much hardware is involved.

Seems like a good argument to me!

Now for a topic in the opposite direction: How about an "Iron"
category (as in "Iron Chef" or "Ironman", etc.).

One rig at a time, only. No second VFO, receivers or memories.
No computer logging. No memory keyers for voice or code. 150
W maximum power.

I wouldn't be in favor of such a category. To me, one of the
attractions of
radiosport is that it encourages pushing the limits
(within good ethics) and
thinking outside the box on several levels: innovative station
design, battle
strategy, skill development, and taking advantage of every
available technology.

Yet at the same time, there are power classes, and packet spotting
puts you in a different category.

Your "Iron" category seems like putting hobbles on Secretariat
in the Preakness.

Not at all! No one would have to be in that category if they didn't
want to be. It would be optional - an alternative only.

----

How about this:

Suppose someone builds a true robot station - automated sending and
receiving. Sure, it won't handle QRM well, but when things aren't
jumping in a domestic contest like SS, it could do the job on a slow
band while the op eats, goes QWC, or takes a rest. Or maybe works
another band.

Or maybe not a total robot station, but rather a "new one finder".
Computer-controlled receiver scans up and down each band, looking for
callsigns that are not in the log already. Alerts the op to a new one
automatically. There could be several of them, scanning each band
simultaneously. (Useless early in the
contest, but as time goes on they could be very helpful).

How about putting the entire FCC callsign database in the computer in
such a way that the op is given "pointers"? These "pointers" could be
things like "callsign not in database", section/state/country, etc.
Could give best-guesses from partial callsigns too.

Would those things be OK in SO?

73 de Jim, N2EY