[TenTec] Tricks for tuning weak signals? Omni6(opt3)

[Ken Brown]

Hi Tom,

I also have an Omni VI and I love it. I also use only CW. I usually keep 
the LP audio filter set at 1000 Hz. Sometimes I tune around using the 
1.8 kHz 2nd IF filter with the NAR (500 Hz in my case) 1st IF filter in 
and sometimes with it out. Then when I find a signal I want to focus on, 
I will switch to the 500 Hz 2nd IF filter and if the NAR 1st IF was not 
already in I switch it in. If the necessary the next thing I do is use 
the 250 Hz 2nd IF filter. I t seems that with some kinds of noise 
conditions switching from the 500 Hz to the 250 Hz filter does not make 
an improvement, and in other conditions it does. When using the NAR 1st 
IF filter in conjunction with either the 500 Hz or 250 Hz 2nd IF filters 
you need to get the PBT adjusted to make the 1st and 2nd IF bandpasses 
coincident with each other. Otherwise when you go to the narrow (500 Hz 
or 250 Hz) 2nd IF filter the signal will be greatly attenuated. You 
could lose it altogether. I generally make sure I have the PBT set up 
this way before I go tuning around. I find a BC carrier or other stable 
frequency signal to check my PBT setting. Another thing I check is that 
I am only using as much NB as is necessary to notice the QRN drop off 
slightly. Only after I am getting all I can from the filters do I turn 
on the DSP. I have never noticed any improvement in readability by 
reducing the RF gain or turning off the AGC, EXCEPT while using the DSP. 
When using the DSP turning the RF gain down a little makes a slight 
improvement.

DE N6KB

tom stewart wrote:

>I am having a great time with this radio(Omni6) but as
>much as I experiment and try to develop better
>techniques, I wonder what better/veteran opperators
>are doing to tune in weak signals.
>Any suggestions and methods will be much appreciated. 
>Oh, I only use CW mode. Thanks
>Tom N7LMY
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