[1000mp] Questions about Mark V

[Bob Main]

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago I have been reading the manual for my Mark V for the 3rd or 4th time because very little of it made sense.  Well something clicked and I started figuring a lot of it out.  Of course, it also created a lot of questions.  Further reading didn't prove that useful and I have determined that most of my questions are probably "personal choice" type answers.  I still Thought I would voice them here and see what you have to say.  Who knows maybe it will clear the clouds for other people.  Here we go (page numbers are the ones in the Mark V, 200W, manual):

Page 44 - A "wide band" or a "tuned" preamp is available and set by menu 8-4.  It appears you get a high gain if 8-4 is set to "flat" whether than "tuned".  I don't understand what having it set to "tuned" does for you.

Page 45 - IPO, according to the manual it says if you are below 10MHz that they suggest it be engaged.  Last night I was on 40 mtrs and played with the button and heard no change where I was listening.  What is your understanding of when this is useful?

Page 46 - Noise Blanker, just wonder if you left yours at the default and if you changed it then what to and why.

Page 47 - Concerning the width control.  If I understand this the width control adjust the width that is defined by the bandwidth buttons (NOR, NAR1, NAR2), unless the IDBT button is on.  If it is "on" then it adjust the EDSP bandwidth.  By this bandwidth I am assuming either the 240, 120, 60 or Data "bandwidths". Am I right so far?  If so I am trying to understand why you would need to adjust the widths of the EDSP bandwidths.  This is used with CW and if you can't take out the offending QRM by steping it down to 60Hz then I can't see what good adjusting the width will do.

Actually the same argument applies to the Shift control too.

Page 48 - Notch & Menu 2-9.  I think this may be a no brainer, but still might be worth seeing what you think.  The menu selections are IF Notch, Auto DSP, and Select.  I understand it is that if you have EDSP turned on, which it is by default (menu 0-9, I think), the if you set the 2-9 to "Auto" then it uses only EDSP notching and the IF is effectively turned off.  Yet if you have it set to "Select" then both the IF Notch and EDSP Notch is operational.  Presently mine is still set to "IF Notch". It seems like you would be better off to set it to "Select" so both are working.  I just think it is wrong to ignore the IF Notch completely, which is what "Auto" would do.  What are your thouhgts?

Page 73 - EDSP Contours, has anybody even notice a difference with this?  I have tried it a few times and noticed very little difference.

EDSP Modulation (menu 7-7) - Right now all of mine are OFF.  I was wondering what some of you might have and why.  I know this is another personal preference, but just wondering.

Page 74 - IDBT, as I mentioned earlier I really can't figure out a use for this.  ANybody want to explain to me it's use?

Page 101 - Menu 5-0 - Why would you use the 6.0kHz filter with SSB?

Thanks all.  If you would rather respond directly instead of cluttering up the reflector that's fine with me.

73s
Bob
KB4CL