Ensure that the microphone is connected and the radio is in REC (receive) mode. DO NOT
leave the radio in SEND mode or key the microphone for more than 10 seconds at a
time! This could damage the vacuum tubes in the radio. Now, we can tune it:
1. Plug your antenna into your dummy load, using the feed line. While the radio is turned o,
attach the feed line to the dummy load to the ANT port at the back of the radio. If the cable
doesn't t, use a UHF PL-259 converter.
2. Toggle the POWER switch on the front of the radio, and then the HEATER in order to turn the
unit on. Use the main tuner (large knob) to select a frequency in the middle of the band
range you'll be operating on.
3. Set the MODE switch to USB, or LSB if you are transmitting below 10MHz, and the METER
switch to IP (plate current).
4. Key the microphone and ensure that IP on the meter reads 60mA.
5. Change the MODE switch to TUNE and the METER switch to ALC (active level control). Key the
microphone and adjust the CAR knob until ALC reads a little lower than the top of the range
on the meter.
6. Change the METER back to IP and key the microphone. Adjust the PLATE until the meter
needle dips to 5 mA. Your plate setting should fall within the band you are operating on,
with some minor adjustment.
7. Change the METER switch to RF. Key the microphone and adjust the LOAD control until the
meter reaches its maximumthere is no scale printed on the meter for RF.
8. Change the MODE switch to either USB or LSB, set the METER switch to ALC, and turn the
MIC (microphone gain) all the way down. Key the microphone and speak into it normally.
Increase the MIC until it peaks within the ALC range on the meter.
9. Change the METER switch to COMP (voice compression), key the microphone, and speak into
it normally. Adjust the COMP level until it peaks below 10DB.
Now you're ready to transmit! You could use an additional tuner for your antenna, but this is
probably sucient. Detach the dummy load and attach the real antenna.
6 Receiving
Once your antenna is connected, use the main tuner on the front of the radio to adjust the
frequency. You'll notice it only allows you to select 0.0 to 0.500 MHz. If you are operating at
the top of a band (e.g. on 12m), make sure you hit the +0.5 switch beside the BAND selector.
The digital display will reect the correct frequency. Scan through the band by adjusting the
frequency to see if anyone is on the air!
Here are some tips for cleaning up signal problems:
•
Too high-pitched: Try increasing the frequency. If the voice is too low-pitched, reduce the
frequency.
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