38
Transmitter Operation
AM Transmission
The
FT-818
utilizes low-level amplitude modulation of an early stage for transmission pur-
poses. This capability is primarily provided for emergency use only, as low-power opera-
tion typically utilizes more efficient transmission/reception modes.
The AM carrier level is preset to 2 Watts during alignment at the factory, and should not
require further adjustment. It is important to remember that AM transmission requires that
power must be distributed among the carrier and voice sidebands; therefore, if excessive
carrier power is used, there will be insufficient power available for the information-carrying
voice sidebands.
The AM microphone gain is preset at the factory to a value which typically provides good
audio. If you need to modify the microphone gain in the AM mode, use Menu #05 (AM
MIC). See page 54 for details.
Split Frequency Operation
This transceiver provides convenient split-frequency operation, using the VFO-A and
VFO-B, for DX working and other operating situations requiring unique split frequency
pairs.
The example below will describe a typical split-frequency DX situation on the 20-meter
band, with a DX station transmitting on 14.025 MHz, listening 10 kHz higher in the band.
1. Set VFO-A to 14.035.00 MHz CW (DX station’s listening frequency).
2. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the
knob, as needed, until Operating
Function Row [A
/
B, A=B, SPL].
3. Press the
(A
/
B) key momentarily to select VFO-B.
4. Tune the VFO-B frequency to 14.025.00 MHz (DX station’s transmitting frequency).
5. Press the
(SPL) key momentarily. The transceiver will now transmit using the
VFO-A frequency, and will receive using the VFO-B frequency. The “
” icon will ap-
pear on the display.
6. To listen to the pile-up calling the DX station (so as to align your frequency more closely
to that of the station being worked by the DX), press the
(A
/
B) key to reverse the
VFOs. You will now be tuning in the vicinity of 14.035 MHz, and you can zero in on the
DX station’s listening frequency by tuning in on the station in QSO with the DX. Press
the
(A
/
B) key again to return to reception on the DX station’s frequency.
7. Press the
(SPL) key once more to cancel split operation; the “
” icon will disap-
pear from the display.
