[R-390] SSB and the 390

[jlap1939@yahoo.com]

My Friends,

Since no one has fought this it seems for some time:

At the risk of ridicule, I am going to give an
effective method of BFO setting to "0" by using
your ears, And also remind that the correct method
always works, provided that alignment is very good
on the unit in question.

I do this in response to a few inquires I have had
and because many still believe people like me, who
listen to obscure SSB transmissions are confused at
best..If you haven't gotten into it, you should try
it..With this method you can find very weak/obscure
stations...

May I remind you that after you (in my case), obtain
a properly aligned unit, (including many others in
addition  to the 390 series,) or else have aligned
your own unit, including neutralization..that you
may want to check VERY CLOSELY for "0" on the BFO.
This is to allow Accurate frequency setting and 
readout, that can well surpass your ability to 
visually resolve the VR counter.

First the correct method..::( Isn't it?)

  Find total quiet place, then also disc. ant.
  Set bandwidth at 0.1.
  Leave BFO OFF, Turn to Cal. on function.
  At any 100 kc point, tune to FIND the point
    that produces an increase on the carrier meter.
    (it may be very tiny, so watch carefully. You may
    want to "rock" back and forth).
  Now set bandwdth at 2 or 4 or even more on some.
  Turn on BFO
  Zero-beat the sig. (re-check)
  Set knob at "0".(either internally or by the knob)

Hope I did this right...

However, a sig corps Sgt. named Stone, (yes he was
related to Sgt. Rock), showed me this:

"Good aligned radio...Take of the BFO knob..go to
dead spot, disc. ant,  use cans, turn on BFO..LISTEN!
Turn BFO shaft..(if you can't, you're a -----,)
and tune to lowest sound generated by the BFO, by
"rocking". Do several times. You will be more
accurate than with any other procedure. replace knob
at "0"". (this is the way I wrote it down 40 yrs
ago.)

I do this, and know that it is best for me. I can
tune to a freq. where I know that activity will be
encountered, that is exact, w/PLO unit, and then
tune my 390 (of course + or - for each sideband,
after CAL. at the nearest 100), and I am more
accurate,
based on the voice freq. produced, than with the
cal. set system. It works on my SP-600 well also,
but is not as accurate. In other words, I can go
to a given freq., and when the traffic starts, I
will be tuned "perfect". I start about + or - one
and one half on the 390 non a.

To really bore you, I give the reasoning:

Visual resolution nowhere near equals audible.
(See many sights on web.)
If you watch the meter, you will never get optimum,
as your vision is not that sharp.

By using the natural sound of the BFO while not
encountering a signal, you can find its LOWEST
sig. point. (Many persons can detect a change of as
little as 3 cents, and most at 4 or 5 cents. There 
are 100 cents in a semitone, (which is for example,
C to C# on the music scale.) I suggest that this
is a figure that will be off in freq. by a very
small figure. Of course it would depend upon how
accurate YOU could actually be, and a "tonally
challenged" person might not do very well...so
don't hold me too much at blame if it doesn't work..

It might be worth a reminder that good SSB, WITH OR
WITHOUT a converter, is something you need to LISTEN
for, and take the time to learn. You will have to
find a result that gives the correct sound for the
voice, so it is the same as if that person was
standing right beside you. In addition, because you
are encountering many diff. levels of strength
with set internal generator, you must keep the RF gain
reduced...

Those who don't agree, please forgive the foregoing.

John


  
  

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