[Premium-Rx] WJ8617B/8618B SSB question

[spencer bahner]

For the few folks out there who might have one of these receivers with the 
SSB option installed- I have a question about 'normal' operation on SSB or 
ISB.

The only SSB equipped 8617B I have behaves oddly when switched to SSB from 
any other mode while AGC is on. When I switch from, say, AM, to SSB, the AGC 
drops down the receiver gain quite a bit and SLOWLY returns gain over a 
about 5-10 seconds before SSB audio is present and signals reappear on the 
CRT. If I switch back to AM or FM, AGC action is normal and is immediately 
present, Switch back to SSB, same thing happens where audio/gain slowly 
increases.

I should add that if I leave the receiver in SSB (actually ISB on this 
particular RX) and tune it around, SSB detection seems entirely normal. 
Also, if I place the rx in manual gain mode, no problems and SSB functions 
normally, though under manual control of the gain pot of course. I went 
through and aligned the AGC cards from two different receivers per the 
manual and found that the same behavior was present with either card. Both 
cards aligned per factory and showed no odd behavior in other modes, only 
when switching into SSB operation.

So, two questions:

1. Is this normal operation with the AGC in these receivers?
and
2. If not normal, any thoughts on troublehooting?

Thanks!

Spencer Bahner N7UMO