[CQ-Contest] The pileup control knob

[N7DF]

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One of the most useful things for pileup control is the RF gain control. =
 Coupled with the AGC this can let you control the sensitivity floor of =
your receiver to the point that stations below a certain signal level =
will simply disappear from your pileup.

The way to use it is to turn your AGC to OFF then turn the RF gain =
control down until everyone except the strongest station in the pileup =
has disappeared.  Work him then turn the RF gain up slightly and work =
the next loudest station.  You will find that the background noise from =
all the other stations who are weaker will have disappeared.  Be ready =
to turn the RF gain down quickly, though, in case a new strong station =
calls while you have it open, or else you may find your eardrums meeting =
in the middle of your head!

This also works very well to eliminate QRN, especially on 160.  =
Sometimes you can have a station totally in the clear that is nearly =
uncopyable with the RF gain control all the way open and the AGC on.

I've found that Yaesu rigs work a little better at this than Kenwood and =
Icom.  My brother, K0HGW, explained why one time but it got pretty =
complicated.  I just found that it really works.

There are some other tricks but I'll save them for later.  Right now I'm =
going to go enjoy all this beautiful new snow and get some skiing in!

73

Larry
N7DF

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