[Elecraft] On zero beating

[cyr999@extremezone.com]

Hi folks - 

Although it may be clear as a bell to most people, I thought I would share my 
experinces as a beginner with zero beating. It may be of interest to newcomers 
in HAM.

Every text I've read seems to define zero beat by referring to the word "beat". 
I never HEARD any "beat". What the heck was everyone talking about! I never new 
what that "beat" was and finally got too embarassed to ask people anymore about 
it.

In the mean time I would tune in on a signal by simply using SPOT and matching  
the tone by ear. Since I play the violin, this is very easy for me. On the other 
hand, my Code Buddy from FISTS finds that type of thing almost impossible.
The other way I tune is simply to get the signal as loud as I can in the 
narrowest filter setting. With my K1 and K2 that seems to always be just about 
dead on.

For you fellow beginners, I was FINALLY enlightened when installing the AF 
filter the other nite. The manual said to zero beat the CONTINUOUS tone at 
7000.00. MAGICALLY WHEN THERE IS A CONTINUOUS TONE ZERO THE DEFINITION OF BEAT 
BECOMES TOTALLY OBVIOUS. As soon as you are dead on the two tones sound as if 
they are one tone which has a rhythmic rise and fall of the tone. This rise of 
the tone is the beat. When you listen to code being sent, you do not have a 
CONTINUOUS wave - so you seldom have the signal coming in long enough to hear 
this illusive beat!!!! Key word here: continuous :-)

I guess what I am trying to share is what the word BEAT really refers to if you 
were confused like me. Also, once I heard what the beat was on the contiuous 
wave, it helped me with matching the SPOT even more - you may not hear the beat 
per se when receiving code, but you can hear when it's getting right in the 
groove. Perhaps listening to really fast ops sends such a rapid signal that you 
hear even more of a beat.

Anyway, I found this simple thing to be a true revelation. If it's confused you 
- go down to 7000 without the antenna etc etc and you will be able to learn the 
true basis of the word BEAT. 

Sorry to bore you experienced folks with this simplicity!! If I've said anything 
that needs correction or the voice of experience - please jump in so I don't 
mislead anyone!

73/KB7OEX Tim Logan