Contesting technology
Encyclopedia
The sport of amateur radio
contesting
has been responsible for the development of contesting technology specific to the sport
. The most competitive stations participating in contests
employ new and innovative technology, hardware
, and software. Some of these innovations are exclusively used in the sport of contesting; others have seen wider application in amateur radio at large.
. Most contest logging software
packages support the use of a parallel port
or serial port
interface that connects to the keying input on amateur radio transceivers for sending Morse code
. Some interfaces also include an input for a telegraph key
. CW can be generated from text typed on the computer keyboard
, from a telegraph key
, or from memories in the computer associated with steps in the process of making contest contacts. Some software can use database
s of additional information about other amateur radio stations on the air to include personalized greetings during two-way contacts.
s, filter
s, amplifier
s, SWR
meters, or other equipment when a radio changes frequency. Most modern amateur radio
transceiver
s include some sort of computer control interface, often implemented with the RS-232
protocol. Information from the radio about its current frequency
of operation can be used by contest logging software or external hardware devices known as band decoders to automatically configure the operation of amplifiers, antenna switches, filters, or other devices.
A particular station automation device used in VHF
and microwave
contest stations is known as a sequencer. A sequencer uses a series of relay
s to switch a number of components from their reception state to their transmission state. In a station with a transceiver
, transverter
, preamp, and amplifier
, it is important that some devices are switched from their reception state before others are switched into their transmission state to avoid damage to very sensitive electronic components.
key, or sound card
interface for digital mode transmissions, between two radio transceivers. Another necessity is the ability to switch or mix audio
from two different radios to a single pair of headphones
. This is generally accomplished with a single hardware device known as an SO2R Switch Box. Some contest logging software
packages can use simple parallel port
or serial port
interfaces to communicate with these switch boxes and allow the SO2R operator to switch radio or audio focus directly from the computer keyboard.
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
contesting
Contesting
Contesting is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible in a given period of time and exchange information...
has been responsible for the development of contesting technology specific to the sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
. The most competitive stations participating in contests
Contesting
Contesting is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible in a given period of time and exchange information...
employ new and innovative technology, hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
, and software. Some of these innovations are exclusively used in the sport of contesting; others have seen wider application in amateur radio at large.
Computer-generated CW
One of the most widely-used contesting technologies is computer-generated CWContinuous wave
A continuous wave or continuous waveform is an electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency; and in mathematical analysis, of infinite duration. Continuous wave is also the name given to an early method of radio transmission, in which a carrier wave is switched on and off...
. Most contest logging software
Contest logging software
Contest logging software refers to specialized computer software programs designed for use by competitors in amateur radio contesting. Most contest logging software is written by individual programmers who are active radio contesters.- Purpose :...
packages support the use of a parallel port
Parallel port
A parallel port is a type of interface found on computers for connecting various peripherals. In computing, a parallel port is a parallel communication physical interface. It is also known as a printer port or Centronics port...
or serial port
Serial port
In computing, a serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time...
interface that connects to the keying input on amateur radio transceivers for sending Morse code
Morse code
Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
. Some interfaces also include an input for a telegraph key
Telegraph key
Telegraph key is a general term for any switching device used primarily to send Morse code. Similar keys are used for all forms of manual telegraphy, such as in electrical telegraph and radio telegraphy.- Types of keys :...
. CW can be generated from text typed on the computer keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
, from a telegraph key
Telegraph key
Telegraph key is a general term for any switching device used primarily to send Morse code. Similar keys are used for all forms of manual telegraphy, such as in electrical telegraph and radio telegraphy.- Types of keys :...
, or from memories in the computer associated with steps in the process of making contest contacts. Some software can use database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
s of additional information about other amateur radio stations on the air to include personalized greetings during two-way contacts.
Station automation
"Station automation" refers to the use of technology to connect the operation of several discrete hardware components to accomplish a larger task. One common example of station automation is the automatic switching of antennaAntenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
s, filter
Electronic filter
Electronic filters are electronic circuits which perform signal processing functions, specifically to remove unwanted frequency components from the signal, to enhance wanted ones, or both...
s, amplifier
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
s, SWR
Standing wave ratio
In telecommunications, standing wave ratio is the ratio of the amplitude of a partial standing wave at an antinode to the amplitude at an adjacent node , in an electrical transmission line....
meters, or other equipment when a radio changes frequency. Most modern amateur radio
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
transceiver
Transceiver
A transceiver is a device comprising both a transmitter and a receiver which are combined and share common circuitry or a single housing. When no circuitry is common between transmit and receive functions, the device is a transmitter-receiver. The term originated in the early 1920s...
s include some sort of computer control interface, often implemented with the RS-232
RS-232
In telecommunications, RS-232 is the traditional name for a series of standards for serial binary single-ended data and control signals connecting between a DTE and a DCE . It is commonly used in computer serial ports...
protocol. Information from the radio about its current frequency
Frequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency.The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency...
of operation can be used by contest logging software or external hardware devices known as band decoders to automatically configure the operation of amplifiers, antenna switches, filters, or other devices.
A particular station automation device used in VHF
Very high frequency
Very high frequency is the radio frequency range from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. Frequencies immediately below VHF are denoted High frequency , and the next higher frequencies are known as Ultra high frequency...
and microwave
Microwave
Microwaves, a subset of radio waves, have wavelengths ranging from as long as one meter to as short as one millimeter, or equivalently, with frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz. This broad definition includes both UHF and EHF , and various sources use different boundaries...
contest stations is known as a sequencer. A sequencer uses a series of relay
Relay
A relay is an electrically operated switch. Many relays use an electromagnet to operate a switching mechanism mechanically, but other operating principles are also used. Relays are used where it is necessary to control a circuit by a low-power signal , or where several circuits must be controlled...
s to switch a number of components from their reception state to their transmission state. In a station with a transceiver
Transceiver
A transceiver is a device comprising both a transmitter and a receiver which are combined and share common circuitry or a single housing. When no circuitry is common between transmit and receive functions, the device is a transmitter-receiver. The term originated in the early 1920s...
, transverter
Transverter
A transverter is a radio frequency device that consists of an upconverter and a downconverter in one unit. Transverters are used in conjunction with transceivers to change the range of frequencies over which the transceiver can communicate....
, preamp, and amplifier
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
, it is important that some devices are switched from their reception state before others are switched into their transmission state to avoid damage to very sensitive electronic components.
SO2R technology
Single operator two radios contesting requires certain specialty radio hardware. The most important is a device capable of switching the microphone, Morse codeMorse code
Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
key, or sound card
Sound card
A sound card is an internal computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs. The term sound card is also applied to external audio interfaces that use software to generate sound, as opposed to using hardware...
interface for digital mode transmissions, between two radio transceivers. Another necessity is the ability to switch or mix audio
Sound
Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations.-Propagation of...
from two different radios to a single pair of headphones
Headphones
Headphones are a pair of small loudspeakers, or less commonly a single speaker, held close to a user's ears and connected to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, CD player or portable Media Player. They are also known as stereophones, headsets or, colloquially, cans. The in-ear...
. This is generally accomplished with a single hardware device known as an SO2R Switch Box. Some contest logging software
Contest logging software
Contest logging software refers to specialized computer software programs designed for use by competitors in amateur radio contesting. Most contest logging software is written by individual programmers who are active radio contesters.- Purpose :...
packages can use simple parallel port
Parallel port
A parallel port is a type of interface found on computers for connecting various peripherals. In computing, a parallel port is a parallel communication physical interface. It is also known as a printer port or Centronics port...
or serial port
Serial port
In computing, a serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time...
interfaces to communicate with these switch boxes and allow the SO2R operator to switch radio or audio focus directly from the computer keyboard.