# Contesting technology

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Tools for amateur radio sport

The sport of [amateur radio](/source/Amateur_radio) [contesting](/source/Contesting) has been responsible for the development of **contesting technology** specific to the sport. The most competitive stations participating in [contests](/source/Contesting) 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.

## Computer-generated CW

One of the most widely used contesting technologies is computer-generated [CW](/source/Continuous_wave). Most [contest logging software](/source/Contest_logging_software) packages support the use of a [parallel port](/source/Parallel_port) or [serial port](/source/Serial_port) interface that connects to the keying input on amateur radio [transceivers](/source/Transceivers) for sending [Morse code](/source/Morse_code). Some interfaces also include an input for a [telegraph key](/source/Telegraph_key). CW can be generated from text typed on the [computer keyboard](/source/Computer_keyboard), from a [telegraph key](/source/Telegraph_key), or from memories in the computer associated with steps in the process of making contest contacts. Some software can use [databases](/source/Database) 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 [antennas](/source/Antenna_(radio)), [filters](/source/Electronic_filter), [amplifiers](/source/Amplifier), [SWR](/source/Standing_wave_ratio) meters, or other equipment when a radio changes frequency. Most modern [amateur radio](/source/Amateur_radio) [transceivers](/source/Transceiver) include some sort of computer control interface, often implemented with the [RS-232](/source/RS-232) protocol. Information from the radio about its current [frequency](/source/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](/source/Very_high_frequency) and [microwave](/source/Microwave) contest stations is known as a **sequencer**. A sequencer uses a series of [relays](/source/Relay) to switch a number of components from their reception state to their transmission state. In a station with a [transceiver](/source/Transceiver), [transverter](/source/Transverter), [preamp](/source/Preamp), and [amplifier](/source/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.

## SO2R technology

[Single operator two radios](/source/Single_operator_two_radios) contesting requires certain specialty radio hardware. The most important is a device capable of switching the microphone, [Morse code](/source/Morse_code) key, or [sound card](/source/Sound_card) interface for digital mode transmissions, between two radio [transceivers](/source/Transceivers). Another necessity is the ability to switch or mix [audio](/source/Sound) from two different radios to a single pair of [headphones](/source/Headphones). This is generally accomplished with a single hardware device known as an **SO2R Switch Box**. Some [contest logging software](/source/Contest_logging_software) packages can use simple [parallel port](/source/Parallel_port) or [serial port](/source/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.

## External links

- [Ham Radio Contest News](https://web.archive.org/web/20070523101413/http://www.radio-sport.net/)

- [Contest Blogs and forums](https://web.archive.org/web/20081008020121/http://radiosport.us/)

- [Contest Wiki](http://contestingwiki.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Contesting technology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contesting_technology) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contesting_technology?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.