[Elecraft] SSB - Fooie!

Tue Oct 8 21:47:02 2002

Don't knock a keyer :)  It has helped me shape characters with my straight key immensely.  Just by hearing what 'good' code sounds like by sending to myself for 
many, many hours, making the transition to a straight key was fairly painless.  I found only 20 or 30 hours worth of work got me to the point where I don't notice much 
difference between sending with one or the other.  I just read off my text and send.  Then when I am on the air I paying far more attention to my spelling than I am to 
my use of paddles or of the straight key.  A keyer has helped me get better.  I find a key a little more sturdy for backpacking too.  Another year or so of this and I might 
feel a lot more comfortable but I will keep trying.  As far as SSB goes I get a little bored just talking, where is the challenge?  Decyphering code with static crashes and 
three other QSOs going on right next door makes life more interesting :)
   Kevin.    KD5ONS

10/8/2002 7:20:50 PM, "Ron D'Eau Claire" <[email protected]> wrote:

>John - KC4KGU wrote:
>
>... If you just enjoy CW, that's one thing but, it's kinda hard to screw
>up pulsing a carrier....  
>
>--------------------------------
>
>Then why was it necessary to simplify the CW test so much over the years
>in order for people to be able to pass it?  And once learned... well...
>I guess you haven't had the practice trying to copy some of the "fists"
>that I have...<G>  Bless every one of them though for putting in the
>effort that  learn it takes to send well  -even with the help of a
>keyer.  
>
>You are right about there being more variables in SSB transmission -
>starting with a 20 dB or more disadvantage in signal to noise ratio
>compared to CW. And I'll add to that in support of your comment that
>I've heard a few AWFUL sounding K2's out there on SSB. In general, the
>BFO is not set right, producing a very bassy, muddy audio or a very
>tinny "weak" audio. Figuring out how to properly adjust things is part
>of the challenge and the fun of building your own rig. And it can't be
>ignored any more than learning CW can be ignored if you want to use a
>key. 
>
>I strongly recommend to any op running SSB to listen to yourself on an
>auxiliary receiver at the first opportunity and record your voice to see
>if you really like what you hear. Shoot, I've  got probably a whole day
>invested in "tweaking" the BFO settings and microphone for the best
>audio and the only SSB QSO's I've had were with other K2 owners while I
>was doing the tweaking!
>
>Ron AC7AC
>K2 # 1289
>
> 
>
>
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