Kenwood TS-480SAT, TS-480HX CW Transmission, Auto ZERO-BEAT, TX SIDETONE/ RX Pitch Frequency

6 BASIC COMMUNICATIONS

CW TRANSMISSION

CW operators know that this mode is very reliable when communicating under worst conditions. It may be true that newer digital modes rival CW as being equally as useful in poor conditions. These modes, however, do not have the long history of service nor the simplicity that CW provides.

This transceiver has a built-in electronic keyer that supports a variety of functions. For details on using these functions, refer to ÒELECTRONIC KEYERÓ {page 39}.

If necessary, refer to ÒOPERATING BASICSÓ, beginning on page 18, for details on how to receive.

1Select the operating frequency.

2Press [MODE] until ÒCWÓ or ÒCWRÓ appears.

¥To precisely tune in another station, use Auto Zero-beat. Refer to ÒAUTO ZERO-BEATÓ {below}.

3Press [VOX/ 8] to activate the CW break-in function.

¥ÒVOXÓ appears.

¥Refer to ÒCW BREAK-INÓ for further information on automatic TX/ RX switching {page 39}.

4Begin sending the message.

¥As you transmit, you should hear a sidetone that lets you monitor your own transmission.

¥The LED lights red as you send the message.

5Stop sending the message to return to Reception mode.

¥The LED lights green or turns off, depending on the SQL control setting.

AUTO ZERO-BEAT

Use Auto Zero-beat before transmitting to tune in a CW station. Auto Zero-beat automatically and exactly matches your transmit frequency with the station you are receiving. Neglecting to do this will reduce your chances of being heard by the other station.

1Tune to the CW signal using the Tuning control.

2Press [BC/ CW.T] (1 s) to start Auto Zero-beat while CW is selected for the operating mode.

¥ÒCW TUNEÓ appears.

¥Your reception frequency automatically changes so that the pitch (tone) of the received signal exactly matches the TX sidetone/ RX pitch frequency that you have selected. Refer to ÒTX SIDETONE/ RX PITCH FREQUENCYÓ {below}.

¥When matching is completed, ÒCW TUNEÓ disappears.

¥If matching is unsuccessful, the previous frequency is restored.

3To quit Auto Zero-beat, press [CLR/ MTR] or press [BC/ CW.T] again.

Note:

◆You cannot start Auto Zero-beat if you have selected 1.0 kHz or wider for the DSP filter bandwidth {page 46}.

◆When using Auto Zero-beat, the matching error is within ±50 Hz in most cases.

◆Auto Zero-beat may fail if the keying speed of the target station is too slow or some interference is present.

◆When the RIT function is ON, only RIT frequencies change to make the Auto Zero-beat adjustment.

TX SIDETONE/ RX PITCH FREQUENCY

As you send CW, you will hear tones from the transceiver speaker. These are called TX (transmission) sidetones. Listening to these tones, you can monitor what you are transmitting. You may also use the tones to ensure that your key contacts are closing, the keyer is functioning, or to practice sending without actually putting a signal on the air.

RX (reception) pitch refers to the frequency of CW that you hear after tuning in a CW station.

On this transceiver, the frequency of the sidetone and RX pitch are equal and selectable. Access Menu No. 34 to select the frequency that is most comfortable for you. The selectable range is from 400 Hz to 1000 Hz in steps of 50 Hz (default is 800 Hz).

To change the volume of the TX sidetone, access Menu No. 13. The selections range from 1 to 9 and OFF (default is 5).

Note: The position of the AF control does not affect the volume of the TX sidetone.

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