[Icom] Zero Beating with the PRO II

[Frank N. Haas]

To John WD1V et al:

Zero Beating with the PRO II is pretty easy.

As you may know that the PRO II offers a CW PITCH control on the right side 
of the front panel. It surrounds the NOTCH control.

Setting the CW Pitch control is part of the process of learning to ZERO 
BEAT or match frequencies with a station you are working on CW. Once the 
control is set, you probably won't need to set it again unless you wish to 
change the pitch at which you work CW stations.

Here's how I set things up so I always match the frequency of the CW 
stations I work:

Configure the PRO II for CW operation, that is, tune a frequency in a cw 
subband and set the mode to CW.

Make sure that the BK-IN button is OFF. (2nd pushbutton from the bottom on 
the immediate left side of the display.)

Set the CW Pitch Control to top dead center (for now.)

Make sure that you have set the sidetone level high enough so you can hear 
it when you tap on your key or keyer paddle. (Press and hold EXIT/SET 
button [below and to the right side of the display] to enter SET Mode, 
Press F-1 to choose level. Press F-2 to scroll down to Side Tone Level. 
While holding your key or keyer paddle to produce a side tone, rotate the 
Main Tuning Knob clockwise or counter-clockwise to set the side tone level. 
I like 60%. Press EXIT/SET button twice to exit SET Mode.)

Tune in a CW signal.

While tuning in the CW signal, tap your key or keyer paddle briefly. 
Compare the pitch of the side tone to the pitch of the CW signal you are 
tuning. Adjust the tuning until the pitch of the CW signal MATCHES the 
pitch of the side tone.

Once you have matched the pitch of both the CW signal and the side tone, 
you are ZERO BEAT or matched to the frequency of the CW signal you are tuning.

But wait!!!   There's more!!!

Now that you have matched frequency with the tuned CW signal, you can NOW 
adjust the CW PITCH control so that the pitch of the tuned signal/side tone 
is one you prefer. This is a most wonderful feature.

To actually key the transmitter, press the BK-IN button once or twice for 
Semi or Full Break-In and you're set.

It takes a little practice to master this pitch matching procedure but it 
works. You will ultimately find a CW PITCH that you like best and will 
probably not fiddle with it much once you find that preferred setting. Then 
all you will need to do is just match pitch with the stations you want to 
work.

I am active on CW and CW nets and this procedure has worked perfectly for me.

Hope this helps.

73,

Frank N. Haas KB4T
Florida