Tuning the Amateur band from
3500
to
3800
kHz you will always find
SSB
signals. With the receiver in the AM Mode the speech sounds
severely distorted and, as there is no carrier the tuning meter rises
and falls with the voice peaks. Switch to
LSB,
set the clarify control to
it's centre position (pointer uppermost). Tune the receiver until the
speech becomes as clear as possible, finally turn the clarify control
until the speech seems as near normal as possible. Only
a
small
adjustment of the clarify control will change the voice characteristic
from high to low pitch. With a little patience, tuning in
SSB stations
becomes quite natural. Most people find it easier with the volume set
at a low level.
,
When using the tuning knob to tune through a band of frequencies,
place a finger in the dimple and turn the knob
as
if
stirring a cup of
tea. This will move gently in
1
kHz steps. Holding the knob and twisting
may accelerate it too fast and cause larger increment steps.
If
a very strong station is encountered which causes overload and
distortion then switch the attenuator to the
ATTEN
position. Remember
to switch it back to normal for weaker stations. The HF3 has been
designed to handle comparatively large signals at the antenna. A
powerful local transmitter could still cause severe overload. This would
usually manifest itself as that station breaking through all over the
spectrum. In such cases a filter can be incorporated in line with the
antenna plug, talk to your dealer for further details.
When is the best time to listen
???
Early evening is usually a good time to listen with ever distant stations
being received as the night progresses. Daylight conditions are less
favourable. During a period of exceptional activity ("a lift"), the
spectrum is crowded both day and night. Conditions can swing to the
other extreme with only the more local stations available.
Over short distances, signals follow the contour of the earth (ground
waves), however, long distance propagation relies on the signal
bouncing off the ionosphere (sky waves). Often the skywave from a
distant station is stronger than the groundwave from a local station.
With experience the listener
will soon learn the best time and
conditions to receive the stations he wants.
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