[Elecraft] On zero beating

[George, W5YR]

That "ultimate spotting tool" is as near as your computer connected to your
radio audio output and running any of the PSK31 programs with a waterfall
display or the SpectroGram program. 

With such displays, one can readily identify the offset tone frequency
being heard and can then adjust the tuning to present exactly the desired
tone. For example, I prefer an offset of 700 Hz so I have a waterfall
marker set on my PSK31 program at 700 Hz. When tuning in a CW signal, I
merely tune until the signal "track" is placed under the marker. Then I
will be transmitting directly upon the other station's frequency and will
hear that station at an audio frequency of 700 Hz.

I have found this method superior to all others, plus it gives you a
panoramic display of other cw signals within the receiver filter passband
being displayed.

Of course, this approach requires that a computer be present and running
the proper program so it wouldn't have much appeal for portable operation
unless a laptop were available. But, for home station use, it is a valuable
tool to have when working CW.

72/73/oo, George W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas         
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe   
Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 56th year and it just keeps getting better!
QRP-L 1373 NETXQRP 6 SOC 262 COG 8 FPQRP 404 TEN-X 11771
Icom IC-756PRO #02121  Kachina #91900556  IC-765 #02437

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Steve Lawrence wrote:

> Perhaps the "ultimate" spotting tool would be to measure the audio
> frequency of a received CW signal and display it -- perhaps at the touch
> of a button.  Knowing your sidetone is set to, say 700Hz, you could then
> adjust the dial frequency so the received CW signal is also at 700 Hz.
> Since the K2 has a frequency counter logic, perhaps this feature could be
> implemented?