[CW] "Spot" Buttons

Wed, 12 Nov 2003 22:55:06 -0500

Dear John,

I agree with you.  I had even thought that my ears were 'accurate' but
through the years, I've found that I prefer to listen to my sidetone at a
slightly higher frequency.  In fact, I've found that I am really picky about
the audio tone I call my own.

The ICOM 756PRO has an adjustable sidetone, but it isn't continuously
adjustable.  It adjusts in steps, and "my" frequency is between the steps!

You're correct about how to spot with the PRO - turn the QSK button to OFF
and you will hear the side tone and the received tone at the same time.

Tonight I did that very thing - and I found I was EXACTLY on frequency.

But here's a tip to avoid being off frequency.

Tune in a signal with the SHARPEST i.f. filter setting - 50, 100 or 150 Hz.
The sharper the easier.

Then center the signal - not by the TONE - but by the strength - and then
turn the QSK button to OFF.  Send with a hand key and see if the tone
matches.  It should be quite close.

If it isn't exactly on frequency, adjust the sidetone adjustment until the
tone is closer.  This also adjusts the beat frequency on the received
signal.  Since you have already put the received signal in the center of the
passband, tuning the main tuning know should NOT be needed.

Press the key and see if it matches.  Repeat adjusting the sidetone
adjustment until you've found a frequency that you like.  This will make
ZERO BEATING effortless.

You might think that this process of carefully finding the sidetone / audio
frequency to be a bit much, but perhaps you won't.  I discovered that I was
off 200 Hz because of this.

Now, the tone I hear on the receiver is "my" tone, and I can verify this
easily.

When I have the audio tone (sidetone frequency) set up correctly, I can
always tune in a signal in 1.2 kHz filter, then choose the 100 Hz filter and
it will be there without retuning.

A small price to pay for getting on frequency!

Also I recommend to the new CW operators that they use SPLIT and if the
answering station changes frequency, you always be DEAD ON "your" frequency.
This eliminates "leap frogging" - or changing frequency with each series of
transmissions.  You could also use the "RIT" to change the frequency, but I
much prefer having the BIG knob to follow a station.  Plus this is how I
learned to operate many years ago - using separate receiver and transmitter
dials.

73

David Ring
N1EA

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rippey" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 4:13 PM
Subject: [CW] "Spot" Buttons

> I don't know if I'm the only one who finds the lack of a "Spot" button on
> ICOM's PRO series a significant nuisance. Yaesus and Ten-Tecs continue to
> provide spotting buttons, but not ICOM.
>
> Apparently, ICOM thinks CW is going the way of the DoDo bird, and
therefore
> is uninterested in providing such a basic feature on its radios. To spot a
> CW signal on a "PRO," you use the "Bk-In" button, which cycles between
off,
> semi-break-in, and full break-in. You turn off "Bk-In,"  press your key to
> get a steady sidetone (if you are using a paddle you need to have a key
> plugged in as well), zero-beat the sidetone with the signal, then push
> "Bk-In" once or twice to get back to semi or full break-in. This requires
> pushing a tiny button three times every time you want to zero-beat a CW
> signal. From what I can tell of the forthcoming IC-7800, the same
> arrangement will be carried over in this top-of-the-line transceiver.
>
> Further nuisances: In the case of the IC-746PRO which I own, you can
adjust
> the sidetone but there is no readout to know what it is--you have to
guess.
> Also, there is no readout of the speed setting of the built-in keyer. (The
> keyer itself is exemplary, there are some convenient settings such as
> adjustable rise times, and the keying envelope seems to be fb, so it is
not
> all bad.)
>
> We CW fans ought to let ICOM know that there is still a demand for rigs
> that make it simple to tune a CW signal, provide a readout of the
sidetone,
> etc. Otherwise, we might see Yaesu make the same judgment. I doubt if
> Ten-Tec would follow suit, though.
>
> 73,
> John, W3ULS
>
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