SSB ops clear down to 7000 kHz on 40m, Grrrr

[Neil McKie]

  Thank you for the 50 microvolts = S-9 reference ... 

  This coming week is our local clubs annual radio test meeting.  
 One service monitor, a DC power supply and several clip leads is 
 usually all I need.  

  Will be testing 1.8 through 928 MHz amateur gear. 

  If you are close enough, come by for 'your' test ... 

  Neil - WA6KLA 

Glen Zook wrote:
> 
> I have yet to see an SSB signal from any of the
> stations that are normally operating in the CW portion
> that runs a true 40 dB over S-9 when the "old"
> standard of S-9 = 50 microvolts is used.
> 
> That means the signal is at least 5000 microvolts and
> that is "one heck of a signal".  Now with the "modern"
> equipment I have seen a lot of S-9 = less than 10
> microvolts and "40 over" = under 100 microvolts.  The
> problem is that manufacturers have elevated the "S"
> meter readings to claim that their equipment is more
> sensitive than the next.
> 
> If you want to copy an S-3 CW signal through a strong
> SSB signal you first have to turn off your
> preamplifier (if you are using one).  Next turn off
> the AVC/AGC.  Then run the audio gain basically wide
> open.  Finally, use your r.f. gain as the volume
> control.  With a narrow filter you can, in the vast
> majority of cases, copy the CW signal through the SSB
> without any problem.
> 
> Basically you need to keep the SSB signal from
> "pumping" the AVC/AGC which it will do unless the
> AVC/AGC is turned off.  You also want to keep the SSB
> signal from overwhelming the narrow filter.  This is
> the reason for cutting back on the r.f. gain.
> 
> Frankly, it is a matter of knowing your equipment and
> knowing how to use it.  Unfortunately, many amateur
> radio operators today haven't taken time to use their
> receivers in anything but the everything "wide open"
> mode.  It isn't what the "S" meter reads but the
> signal to noise ratio of the signal that determines
> whether or not the signal can be easily copied or not.
>  Cutting down the absolute signal level often is
> rewarded with a signal that is easy to copy yet might
> not even be moving the "S" meter.
> 
> Glen, K9STH
> 
> --- Brian Carling <bcarling at CFL.RR.COM> wrote:
> 
> LOL - let's see you try that when the CW signal is S3
> with QSB and the SSB signal is 40dB over S9!
> 
> I SERIOUSLY doubt that your Collins is any better at
> pulling them out than a modern rig with a narrow filter.
> 
> Glen, K9STH
> 
> Web sites
> 
> http://home.comcast.net/~k9sth
> http://home.comcast.net/~zcomco
> 
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