Using a H.F. Transceiver (8e3, 8e4)

This section contains some supporting hints and tips to what MUST be a practical demonstration supervised by a licensed radio amateur. You must have the band plans of the bands that you use available.

Tuning in a s.s.b. Voice Signal

· Switch on the equipment. Don’t forget that if an external mains power supply is being used you will need to plug this into the mains and switch the mains socket switch on, and the mains switch on the power supply itself.

· If the equipment is multi-mode don’t forget to switch it to u.s.b. or l.s.b. according to the band-plan.

· Referring to the band-plan, tune in a s.s.b. voice signal.

· Carefully rock the tuning control from side to side to find the point where the voice sounds most natural (not too high or low in audio frequency).

· Adjust the r.f. gain control – initially set it to maximum and reduce it once you have found a strong signal.

· Adjust the a.f. gain (volume) control.

· Once you have tuned in the signal, read the ‘S’ meter if one is fitted. Remember the stronger the signal the larger the ‘S’ meter reading. Valid readings are from 1 to 9.

Tuning in a Morse Signal

· If the equipment is multi-mode don’t forget to switch it to c.w.

· Referring to the band-plan, tune in a Morse signal.

· Carefully rock the tuning control from side to side to find the point where the Morse code sounds most natural (not too high or low in audio frequency).

· Adjust the r.f. gain control – initially set it to maximum and reduce it once you have found a strong signal.

· Adjust the volume control.

· Once you have tuned in the signal, read the ‘S’ meter if one is fitted. Remember the stronger the signal the larger the ‘S’ meter reading. Valid readings are from 1 to 9.

Making a s.s.b. Contact and Exchanging Signal Reports

· Get familiar with adjusting the frequency, the r.i.t. (clarifier), volume (sometimes called audio gain), r.f. gain, microphone gain and antenna tuner (A.T.U.) controls on the transmitter / receiver.

· The clarifier should be set to off initially. It probably will not need to be used. It is used where the other station is transmitting on a slightly different frequency to where you are transmitting. Ask your tutor to demonstrate this to you, so that you can use it if necessary.

· Before you transmit, use the A.T.U. to make sure the transmitter is matched to the antenna. Ask your tutor to demonstrate this to you and then have a go yourself. If the transmitter has an internal automatic A.T.U., all you will need to do is to make sure that the A.T.U. is switched on and has successfully matched.

· You will probably need to adjust the microphone gain control.

· Listen for a CQ call, and then transmit a response. Don’t forget to give your call sign in accordance with your licence conditions.

· When you respond, you will say something like “M0ABC this is M6XYZ, M6XYZ”.

· The other station will then transmit. You may be asked some questions, so make a quick note of what is being asked.

· When it is you turn again, say something like “M0ABC from M6XYZ, your signal report is 5 and 7; my name is Fred and I am in Poole”. Don’t forget to answer any questions as far as you can. You can also ask some questions.

· The other station will then transmit. Hopefully your questions will be answered.

· It is your turn again, so perhaps you want to finish the contact. You might say something like “M0ABC from M6XYZ, thank you for the contact. Hope to talk to you again soon. Best wishes from M6XYZ”.