Having recently taken up CW operating, this is an absolutely superb explanation of what some of these buttons on my radio can do in this regard !! thanks so much David.
I recently found your channel and decided to go back and watch all the Ask Dave series. Your explanations are very clear and you have a great manner of presenting it. Also love the animated and telestrated diagrams.
David, your videos are excellent. I love the excellent video quality and especially the clear, concise and orderly presentation. I use them to help new and experienced Hams. Regarding possible topics, I see a definite need for instructional material regarding the theory and construction of a ground radial grid for vertical antennas. Thank you!
Rob Lindsay Hi Rob, I'm glad you found the video helpful. I have added the ground radial grid for verticals to the list of topics for future episodes of Ask Dave. Thanks for the suggestion!
I didn't expect to learn it in this video, but THANK YOU for explaining RIT so simply. I didn't really know what it was or how it was used. It makes sense now. Thanks again. 73 de N1DEL
Thanks, this was very helpful in understanding some of what I've seen as I try to learn more CW by listening to others on the air. I've wondered why I see two stations conversing, but not on the same frequency. RIT is the answer! I don't think it will help me follow both sides of their conversation, but it is good to know. 73, Dave, K4DLE
Your typical great video, Dave. Worth mentioning: offset is especially important when working a pile-up. The target station will often specify a listening frequency, generally "up 5" (or just "up"). In that situation you zero his TX freq, dial your whole rig up 5khz, then tune your RIT back down so you can hear him. Now you're listening on one freq but transmitting on another.
Great topic! Thanks! I still have one hole in my comprehension --- using RIT to bring the other station to you. I think you mentioned this near the end of the video. First, why would I not want to go out and tune that guy like we did throughout the video? If it is a good idea to go out and "RIT" somebody to me, it would be great to see you actually do this (on the video) distinguishing the former from the latter...namely, tuning someone in first and RIT to follow him/her vs using RIT to bring a signal to you as the tuning - in process. Thanks again for all your help. Dave N9DMS
Excellent videos Dave. I used your videos along with the ARRL Tech and General Exam books and passed both exams last week with no problem. Waiting on the Callsign to get posted in the FCC Database. Trying to decide on what HF Radio to buy is proving to be more difficult than the exams themselves. I just started your Extra Class videos along with the ARRL current exam book.
Allen Henderson Hi Allen, congratulations on your test results and welcome to ham radio! Yes, there are lots of HF rigs out there, and choosing one is a highly personal decision. I recommend something fairly straightforward for a first HF radio, something you can grow into. In perhaps a decade you may want to change, depending on your interests. I know the Yaesu FT-991 and the FTdx-1200 seem popular right now. Kenwood has the TS-590 and Icom several mid-range rigs. In terms of what the rigs can do, pretty much any rig from Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom, TenTec, or Elecraft will do almost anything you ask of it. Very experienced operators will quibble with that, but then again they have specialized needs. I specifically do not recommend going to the top of the line. It's like trying to learn to fly aircraft by hopping into a 747! Do become a member of ARRL, as ARRL's magazine, QST, regularly reviews radios and a library of previous reviews is available to members at www.arrl.org. Good luck! 73, Dave, KEØOG
I would love to learn CW but between the high pitch of the tones and the speed, I have a difficult time hearing it, that is, I have a hard time being able to separate the individual tones. Any background noise, either in the room or on the air, exacerbates the problem. Great videos Dave. Thanks for taking the time to offer such valuable help to us newbies. I've found your videos extremely helpful.
Jason Logan Hi Jason, and thanks for watching! You might try setting the sidetone to a lower pitch. I find 1000 Hz too high and have settled in on 700 Hz. You can go even lower if you want. Then you will tune your receiver to match the sidetone. If the high-pitched tones of other stations are bothersome, which I often find them to be, just make the receiver bandwidth smaller. Often rigs will automatically switch to a narrower bandwidth for CW, but not always. As far as separating the tones that are close to each other, experience helps. There are some technical things that can be done using software defined receivers, and you can feed the I channel to one ear and the Q channel to the other to give a pseudo-stereo effect, but that type of receiver tends to be quite expensive. I hope this provides you with some ideas that may help. 73! Dave, KEØOG
Thank you for the help. I'm finding your videos very helpful and I don't think I would have fared as well on my tech test had I not had your videos to help me. Keep up the good work. I'm watching your general study series now, hoping to upgrade soon. 73's and be well
It get easier with experience. I find listening to a CW audio training course while driving is a great way to learn cw. Literally took me YEARS to absorb enough for a QSO but it worked.
Dave, my rig doesn't have a "spot" function or other similar button that I can find (Icom 756PRO). It has a dial for "CW pitch control" which the manual says "Shifts the received CW audio pitch and monitored CW audio pitch without changing the operating frequency." Do I need to key down and then match frequencies while transmitting, maybe into a dummy load?
I've done that with some QRP rigs. It's certainly not the best way, but in the absence of a spot function, one has to do it somehow, right? Look in your manual. I looked at one (not sure if it's the exact one for your rig) and found some instructions under the CW sidetone function.
If you happen to be familiar with the Ten Tec Omni C Series D, I would love to know how to use it for CW in the absolute simplest way. The manual is terribly confusing. Every few years I pull it off the bookshelf, try again to make sense of it, and just end up frustrated. I suspect that I can 1. Turn off Offset. 2. Tune receiver for best signal of the other party. 3. Hold down ZeroBeat button and tune till I hear nothing, then release it. Then everything may be set and ready for me to transmit. Not sure though. I really appreciate your videos!
+BadDolphin Sorry, I don't have any experience with this rig. On my Jupiter I matched the incoming signal tone to my sidetone. I do the same on my Yaesu FTDX3000. The offset is usually adjustable. Good luck, 73
Yet another very useful and interesting video David, thanks again. I was wondering if you could possibly show us guys ways of implementing an Audio Mixer into the Shack. Like Mic to Mixer then to Radio and possibly explain the benefits of doing so with TX Audio as well as RX Audio. Hope you could enlighten us Not So Expert Ham's HiHi 73 de M3OVA from across the pond....
durasoft2010 I'm not sure I fully understand your question. An audio mixer prior to the radio would mean more than one audio source. I've not seen a case when more than one microphone or other audio source are mixed together prior to transmission. One possible use case is that of an audio recorder, so you can play back the other guy's audio for him, but I've never tried that. Please elaborate to help me understand the question more. Thanks, 73, Dave
Hi David, Sorry I was wondering showing the benefits of using a Berringer Mixer for example to Improve the Audio from lets say a 3 pin XLR Microphone going into the Transceiver via for example Accessory Port on an Icom Radio. And through the Mixer the Receive Audio to lets say Monitor Speakers. As you can guess I'm no expert HiHi, but have seen people doing this but not into too much detail. Hope this is a bit better explanation. 73 de M3OVA
Brilliant explanation of the RIT and its practical usage.
The RIT is not just a fine-tune, it's to stop walking up/down the band chasing your contact.
Having recently taken up CW operating, this is an absolutely superb explanation of what some of these buttons on my radio can do in this regard !! thanks so much David.
I recently found your channel and decided to go back and watch all the Ask Dave series. Your explanations are very clear and you have a great manner of presenting it. Also love the animated and telestrated diagrams.
Useful tip about RIT. On the Yaesu FT450D it is known as Clarifier. There is a button labelled CLAR. This is the RIT control on a Yaesu FT450D
David, your videos are excellent. I love the excellent video quality and especially the clear, concise and orderly presentation. I use them to help new and experienced Hams.
Regarding possible topics, I see a definite need for instructional material regarding the theory and construction of a ground radial grid for vertical antennas.
Thank you!
Rob Lindsay Hi Rob, I'm glad you found the video helpful. I have added the ground radial grid for verticals to the list of topics for future episodes of Ask Dave. Thanks for the suggestion!
I didn't expect to learn it in this video, but THANK YOU for explaining RIT so simply. I didn't really know what it was or how it was used. It makes sense now. Thanks again. 73 de N1DEL
Thanks, this was very helpful in understanding some of what I've seen as I try to learn more CW by listening to others on the air. I've wondered why I see two stations conversing, but not on the same frequency. RIT is the answer! I don't think it will help me follow both sides of their conversation, but it is good to know. 73, Dave, K4DLE
Your typical great video, Dave. Worth mentioning: offset is especially important when working a pile-up. The target station will often specify a listening frequency, generally "up 5" (or just "up"). In that situation you zero his TX freq, dial your whole rig up 5khz, then tune your RIT back down so you can hear him. Now you're listening on one freq but transmitting on another.
Thanks for pointing that out. It's an easy way to work split if your radio only has RIT but no formal Split function.
Thanks Dave u just explained wat I've been wondering
Wonderful explanation of RIT!
super info....finally i know why the RIT button is there :-)
Very helpful and easy to understand! I have an old Kenwood 520s which is a real "joy" to work with sometimes. This is a huge help. Thank you! KE8EAS
Nice Dave! Always pick up good ideas and hits from your videos!! 73, John/N6VTS
PERFECT EXPLANATION
Excellent video, Dave. Thank you. - Ward Merdes - KL7IXW (friend of Scott Dennis (SK))
Thanks Dave !
Have I got it right? The received frequency is always higher as the transmitted frequency in your example 700 Hz? Rx > Tx
Great topic! Thanks! I still have one hole in my comprehension --- using RIT to bring the other station to you. I think you mentioned this near the end of the video. First, why would I not want to go out and tune that guy like we did throughout the video? If it is a good idea to go out and "RIT" somebody to me, it would be great to see you actually do this (on the video) distinguishing the former from the latter...namely, tuning someone in first and RIT to follow him/her vs using RIT to bring a signal to you as the tuning - in process. Thanks again for all your help. Dave N9DMS
Thank you for this video it was great to watch!
Excellent videos Dave. I used your videos along with the ARRL Tech and General Exam books and passed both exams last week with no problem. Waiting on the Callsign to get posted in the FCC Database. Trying to decide on what HF Radio to buy is proving to be more difficult than the exams themselves. I just started your Extra Class videos along with the ARRL current exam book.
Allen Henderson Hi Allen, congratulations on your test results and welcome to ham radio! Yes, there are lots of HF rigs out there, and choosing one is a highly personal decision. I recommend something fairly straightforward for a first HF radio, something you can grow into. In perhaps a decade you may want to change, depending on your interests. I know the Yaesu FT-991 and the FTdx-1200 seem popular right now. Kenwood has the TS-590 and Icom several mid-range rigs. In terms of what the rigs can do, pretty much any rig from Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom, TenTec, or Elecraft will do almost anything you ask of it. Very experienced operators will quibble with that, but then again they have specialized needs. I specifically do not recommend going to the top of the line. It's like trying to learn to fly aircraft by hopping into a 747! Do become a member of ARRL, as ARRL's magazine, QST, regularly reviews radios and a library of previous reviews is available to members at www.arrl.org. Good luck! 73, Dave, KEØOG
Thanks! That was very usefull!
Thanks Buddy! RWB
I would love to learn CW but between the high pitch of the tones and the speed, I have a difficult time hearing it, that is, I have a hard time being able to separate the individual tones. Any background noise, either in the room or on the air, exacerbates the problem. Great videos Dave. Thanks for taking the time to offer such valuable help to us newbies. I've found your videos extremely helpful.
Jason Logan Hi Jason, and thanks for watching! You might try setting the sidetone to a lower pitch. I find 1000 Hz too high and have settled in on 700 Hz. You can go even lower if you want. Then you will tune your receiver to match the sidetone. If the high-pitched tones of other stations are bothersome, which I often find them to be, just make the receiver bandwidth smaller. Often rigs will automatically switch to a narrower bandwidth for CW, but not always. As far as separating the tones that are close to each other, experience helps. There are some technical things that can be done using software defined receivers, and you can feed the I channel to one ear and the Q channel to the other to give a pseudo-stereo effect, but that type of receiver tends to be quite expensive. I hope this provides you with some ideas that may help. 73! Dave, KEØOG
Thank you for the help. I'm finding your videos very helpful and I don't think I would have fared as well on my tech test had I not had your videos to help me. Keep up the good work. I'm watching your general study series now, hoping to upgrade soon. 73's and be well
It get easier with experience. I find listening to a CW audio training course while driving is a great way to learn cw. Literally took me YEARS to absorb enough for a QSO but it worked.
Too good Dave! So clear and explained so well. Your amazing. Thanks
73
Excellent Excellent Excellent ! Thank You!
Beautiful explanation!
Thank you
Dave, my rig doesn't have a "spot" function or other similar button that I can find (Icom 756PRO). It has a dial for "CW pitch control" which the manual says "Shifts the received CW audio pitch and monitored CW audio pitch without changing the operating frequency." Do I need to key down and then match frequencies while transmitting, maybe into a dummy load?
I've done that with some QRP rigs. It's certainly not the best way, but in the absence of a spot function, one has to do it somehow, right? Look in your manual. I looked at one (not sure if it's the exact one for your rig) and found some instructions under the CW sidetone function.
Thank you for the explanation im new on radio this helped a lot
Absolutely important...
Now, how do I zero beat WWV to calibrate my rig?
Omg I learned something new every time I listen to him, I use to cow all the time and never new this. Seems the Canada books suck on this part! VE4RHM
OHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh THAT'S the purpose of RIT. TU!
Great set of videos Dave,Tom AB3YK
If you happen to be familiar with the Ten Tec Omni C Series D, I would love to know how to use it for CW in the absolute simplest way. The manual is terribly confusing. Every few years I pull it off the bookshelf, try again to make sense of it, and just end up frustrated. I suspect that I can 1. Turn off Offset. 2. Tune receiver for best signal of the other party. 3. Hold down ZeroBeat button and tune till I hear nothing, then release it. Then everything may be set and ready for me to transmit. Not sure though. I really appreciate your videos!
+BadDolphin Sorry, I don't have any experience with this rig. On my Jupiter I matched the incoming signal tone to my sidetone. I do the same on my Yaesu FTDX3000. The offset is usually adjustable. Good luck, 73
+David Casler Thanks for replying David! I really enjoy Every video I have seen, thanks so much for advancing the hobby so effectively.
Yet another very useful and interesting video David, thanks again.
I was wondering if you could possibly show us guys ways of implementing an Audio Mixer into the Shack. Like Mic to Mixer then to Radio and possibly explain the benefits of doing so with TX Audio as well as RX Audio. Hope you could enlighten us Not So Expert Ham's HiHi 73 de M3OVA from across the pond....
durasoft2010 I'm not sure I fully understand your question. An audio mixer prior to the radio would mean more than one audio source. I've not seen a case when more than one microphone or other audio source are mixed together prior to transmission. One possible use case is that of an audio recorder, so you can play back the other guy's audio for him, but I've never tried that. Please elaborate to help me understand the question more. Thanks, 73, Dave
Hi David, Sorry I was wondering showing the benefits of using a Berringer Mixer for example to Improve the Audio from lets say a 3 pin XLR Microphone going into the Transceiver via for example Accessory Port on an Icom Radio. And through the Mixer the Receive Audio to lets say Monitor Speakers. As you can guess I'm no expert HiHi, but have seen people doing this but not into too much detail. Hope this is a bit better explanation. 73 de M3OVA
New hams all over the world are searching in vain for the "Spot" button on their Kenwood and Icom radios.
spanish subtitles please.73
The way TH-cam works, viewers must submit proposed other-language subtitles. I can't do them myself, as I only speak English.