N3RS Station Description Using the Acom 2S1s

What is a 2S1? At N3RS, we have installed Acom 2S1 “Transceiver Commutators” at both operating tables. These devices are designed to allow two Yaesu transceivers to share a single amplifer/antenna line. We have designed interface circuitry that allows the 2S1s to be used with the Elecraft K3s in the station, in addition to the Yaesu FT- 1000MPs, which we use as backup radios.

Why? The 2S1 allows two radios to share a single amplifier/antenna. Can transmit as well as listen. Positive lockout keeps us legal. Biggest Benefit – Allows RUN operator to protect his frequency while the ASSIST operator works multipliers

Installation Details Main Table –Two 2S1s installed –Left can help right, or –Right can help left 20/40 Table –Two 2S1s installed –Center can help right (40m), or –Center can help left (20m), or –Center can be independently on 20m

Installation Details (Cont’d) A simple installation would not require any external switching. At N3RS, we have a complex installation, which DOES: –Each table has a control box on the shelf –The Assist Operator controls the configuration Details of the two separate deployments are shown on the next two slides

Acom 2S1s on Stns 1 and 2 Three modes: –Separate –Left –Right Separate – Stns 1 & 2 operating independently – no lockout Left – Stns 1 & 2 sharing left amp and antenna Right – Stns 1 & 2 sharing right amp and antenna Positive lockout when in Left or Right

Acom 2S1s on Stns 5,4, and 3 Three modes available for Operator of Station 4: –20 Share Shares Station 5 amp and antenna –20 Gets antenna not in use by Station 5 through Alpha 99 amp –40 Share Shares Station 3 amp and antenna LEDs indicate antenna in use by Station 4 when on 20 meters –Station 4 has NO ANTENNA SELECTION CAPABILITY Positive lockout always in effect

How does it work? Stations 1 and 2 Sequence –Control Switch starts in SEPARATE –QSY to the RUN band. RUN has the antenna, so you won’t hear anything –Move the Control Switch to the RUN side, either Left or Right. You now will hear signals. –Alert RUN operator of pending assistance.

How does it work? Stns 3 and 4 Sequence – ASSIST 40 –Station 4 is the DEDICATED ASSIST STN –Stations 3 and 5 receive assistance only –Control Switch starts in 20 –QSY Station 4 to 40m. Station 3 has the antenna, so you won’t hear anything –Move the Control Switch to 40. You now will hear signals. –Alert RUN operator of pending assistance. More on this later.

How does it work? Stns 4 and 5 Sequence – ASSIST 20 –Station 4 is the DEDICATED ASSIST STN –Stations 3 and 5 receive assistance only Two ways to Assist the 20m RUN operator: –Sharing his amplifier and antenna (Control Switch = “20 Share”) –Separate amplifier and antenna (Control Switch = “20”) IMPORTANT – 20 RUN HAS ANTENNA CONTROL –There are two “antennas” on 20m: 5/5/5 stack and 204BA –RUN op selects best antenna for his run using the touchscreen –ASSIST op (Station 4) has access to the other antenna IMPORTANT – 20 ASSIST HAS NO ANTENNA CONTROL –If ASSIST put the Ctrl Sw in “20”, he has the antenna not in use by RUN –In this case, ASSIST views the LEDs mounted on the shelf to see which antenna he has Sequence –Control Switch starts in “20” –QSY Station 4 to 20m. You now hear signals. You have the non-RUN antenna, which will normally be the 204BA, assuming that RUN will be using the 5/5/5 stack. –Move the Control Switch to “20 Share”. You now will hear signals from the antenna RUN is using. –Alert RUN operator of pending assistance. More on this later.

When to Assist? Whenever there are Qs or Mults to be worked on a RUN band that is RUNNING (packet spots) Tuning a RUN band for mults or Qs (Hard work) Whenever a RUN band is Search&Pounce (Two S&P ops on a band are better than one!) Whenever a RUN operator has a large pileup and could use help in pulling out calls. When the RUN op needs a potty break. Whenever a RUN op calls for assistance (usually due to a mult just being spotted)

When NOT to Assist? Whenever the RUN operator specifically requests none. –This is judgment call on the RUN operator’s part. –If the RUN rate is very high, it is best to wait.

Techniques and Tips Mental Attitude is Important –RUN Op: The assist op is there to help you. You may have to slow down your CQs to let him work folks. –ASSIST Op: You are there to help, but RUN Op takes precedence, and you need to stop if he requests you to do so. –RUN + ASSIST = Higher Score Work together as a team to reach to goal.RUN Op: The assist op is there to help you. You may have to slow down your CQs to let him work folks. –RUN + ASSIST = Higher Score Work together as a team to reach to goal.

Techniques and Tips Teamwork Tips –ASSIST Op informs RUN of intent to assist. –ASSIST and RUN agree on signals either verbal or hand: “Stop sending” “Pause after your current CQ stops” “I got him! QRX while I work him.” “Call CQ now!” “Can you hear him (the mult)?”

Techniques and Tips CW Speed –RUN: Send fast, but leave longer spaces between CQs (Set AutoRepeat to 5 seconds or more) –ASSIST Send as fast as possible Call only once Brief signal report only. “TU 5NN5” No paddle sending. Just F4 and F2. IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE OF THE CALL!

Techniques and Tips Working the Available Window –Left click on spots to find “Easy QSOs” Loud, fast CW Familiar callsign of good operator –Work from the bottom up Avoid packet pileups on garden variety QSOs Older spots are usually CQing with no answers –Mults are important…BUT SO ARE QSOS! At end of 2010 CQ SSB, 7 QSOs = 1 Mult

Techniques and Tips Cleaning Up the Available Window –After several checks, delete non-existent spots (band went out, he QSYed, etc.) Left click on spot in Available, then Alt-D Right click on spot, then “Delete Spot” from menu

Techniques and Tips Busted Spots – Single Occurrences PRIME DIRECTIVE – COPY THE CALL!! Never assume that the packet spot is correct! Always verify the call before logging. –If you are sure a spot is busted and it’s a dupe, delete it from Available, and move on. –If it is busted but not a dupe, work it if possible, then delete the busted spot –If you can’t work it, delete the bust, and “Store” the correct call by entering it into the Entry window, and then tuning off. (Or press Alt-O, followed by F11.)

Techniques and Tips Busted Spots – Multiple Occurrences PRIME DIRECTIVE – COPY THE CALL!! Never assume that the packet spot is correct! Always verify the call before logging. –Reverse Beacon Network can generate multiple occurrences of the same bust –Humans can as well –“Blacklist” a recurring bust: Right click on the spot in Available or Bandmap Select “Blacklist ” Each computer has its own “Blacklist” CAUTION – BE SURE IT IS A RECURRING BUST. OTHERWISE JUST DELETE IT.

Techniques and Tips Partnering with the RUN operator N1MM allows the ASSIST operator to work the same pileup as RUN Sequence: –Right click on “cue ball” for RUN station in the INFO window and select “Target for call stacking” –Press Alt-Q to move to RUN’s CQ frequency –Calls entered will appear in the frame above RUN’s Entry window. Use F11 to wipe the call. –RUN uses to “Shift+Enter” to grab the stacked call.