6m off-frequency

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6m off-frequency

Ian Kahn, KM4IK
All,

I've been operating a little in the ARRL VHF contest this weekend, on 6m,
and I'm having an interesting, and not good, experience. Everyone I try to
work is reporting that I'm off frequency by about 500 Hz. I don't have
RIT/XIT enabled. My K3, s/n 281, went to Elecraft earlier this year for
some upgrades and a tune-up, and came back with a clean bill of health and
meets/exceeds specs.

I admit, I am new to 6m operation, but this constant report of being
off-frequency concerns me. Is there some calibration step, specific to 6m,
that I missed? I don't get this report on any other band, and have never
gotten it in over 6 years of operating this rig. My assumption is that if
it came back from the Mother Ship clean, and I've never used 6m before,
that it should be properly calibrated.

Any guidance/advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks and 73,

--Ian
Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA  EM74ua
[hidden email]
10-10 #74624  North Georgia Chapter #2038
PODXS 070 #1962
K3 #281, P3 #688 KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468
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Re: 6m off-frequency

Ron Manfredi
Have you experienced this on other bands, during casual operating since
the rig was returned to you?

I find that when I am on SSB, I tune until my ear may likes what I am
hearing , and as such,  I may not be exactly on their frequency.   (that
is one reason for RIT!)  Also, I have found that some ops feel that they
have to be tuned to an even frequency on their digital display.   For
them, if you are on 14.219.8 and not on 14.220.0  then you are off
frequency.


Ron  WA2EIO


On 6/11/2017 11:45 AM, Ian Kahn wrote:

> All,
>
> I've been operating a little in the ARRL VHF contest this weekend, on 6m,
> and I'm having an interesting, and not good, experience. Everyone I try to
> work is reporting that I'm off frequency by about 500 Hz. I don't have
> RIT/XIT enabled. My K3, s/n 281, went to Elecraft earlier this year for
> some upgrades and a tune-up, and came back with a clean bill of health and
> meets/exceeds specs.
>
> I admit, I am new to 6m operation, but this constant report of being
> off-frequency concerns me. Is there some calibration step, specific to 6m,
> that I missed? I don't get this report on any other band, and have never
> gotten it in over 6 years of operating this rig. My assumption is that if
> it came back from the Mother Ship clean, and I've never used 6m before,
> that it should be properly calibrated.
>
> Any guidance/advice is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> --Ian
> Ian Kahn, KM4IK
> Roswell, GA  EM74ua
> [hidden email]
> 10-10 #74624  North Georgia Chapter #2038
> PODXS 070 #1962
> K3 #281, P3 #688 KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

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Re: 6m off-frequency

Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Ron/All,

As I state in my original email, I don't have this issue on any other band.
The first couple of times other ops reported me off frequency a bit, I
thought the issue to be as you suggest - differences in how different ops
hear the signal, a 1-2 Hz difference, etc. However, EVERY operator I tried
to contact reported the same thing - that I am off frequency by about 500
Hz, that I need to adjust my RIT (which is not enabled), etc. That's why I'm
concerned about a possible issue. I was also using my P3 to tune to signals,
so I feel fairly certain that I was, in fact, on frequency as my receiver
saw it.

Thanks and 73

Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA  EM74ua
[hidden email]
10-10 #74624  North Georgia Chapter #2038
PODXS 070 #1962
K3 #281, P3 #688 KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Manfredi [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2017 11:55 AM
To: Ian Kahn <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 6m off-frequency

Have you experienced this on other bands, during casual operating since the
rig was returned to you?

I find that when I am on SSB, I tune until my ear may likes what I am
hearing , and as such,  I may not be exactly on their frequency.   (that
is one reason for RIT!)  Also, I have found that some ops feel that they
have to be tuned to an even frequency on their digital display.   For
them, if you are on 14.219.8 and not on 14.220.0  then you are off
frequency.


Ron  WA2EIO


On 6/11/2017 11:45 AM, Ian Kahn wrote:

> All,
>
> I've been operating a little in the ARRL VHF contest this weekend, on 6m,
> and I'm having an interesting, and not good, experience. Everyone I try to
> work is reporting that I'm off frequency by about 500 Hz. I don't have
> RIT/XIT enabled. My K3, s/n 281, went to Elecraft earlier this year for
> some upgrades and a tune-up, and came back with a clean bill of health and
> meets/exceeds specs.
>
> I admit, I am new to 6m operation, but this constant report of being
> off-frequency concerns me. Is there some calibration step, specific to 6m,
> that I missed? I don't get this report on any other band, and have never
> gotten it in over 6 years of operating this rig. My assumption is that if
> it came back from the Mother Ship clean, and I've never used 6m before,
> that it should be properly calibrated.
>
> Any guidance/advice is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> --Ian
> Ian Kahn, KM4IK
> Roswell, GA  EM74ua
> [hidden email]
> 10-10 #74624  North Georgia Chapter #2038
> PODXS 070 #1962
> K3 #281, P3 #688 KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>


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Re: 6m off-frequency

Don Wilhelm
Ian,

Can you receive any station at a known frequency.  Here in the US it is
easy to use WWV, but other standard frequency stations exist around the
world.

Tune to the standard frequency station and do the Reference Oscillator
Calibration.  K3 manual page 50.  Use Method 2.

I cannot guarantee it will fix the problem, but it is the first thing to
try.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/11/2017 12:16 PM, Ian Kahn, KM4IK wrote:

> Ron/All,
>
> As I state in my original email, I don't have this issue on any other band.
> The first couple of times other ops reported me off frequency a bit, I
> thought the issue to be as you suggest - differences in how different ops
> hear the signal, a 1-2 Hz difference, etc. However, EVERY operator I tried
> to contact reported the same thing - that I am off frequency by about 500
> Hz, that I need to adjust my RIT (which is not enabled), etc. That's why I'm
> concerned about a possible issue. I was also using my P3 to tune to signals,
> so I feel fairly certain that I was, in fact, on frequency as my receiver
> saw it.
>
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Re: 6m off-frequency

Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Thanks, Don. I'll give that a try and post results here later.

73 de,

--Ian
Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA  EM74ua
[hidden email]
10-10 #74624  North Georgia Chapter #2038
PODXS 070 #1962
K3 #281, P3 #688 KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2017 12:55 PM
To: Ian Kahn, KM4IK <[hidden email]>; 'Ron Manfredi' <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 6m off-frequency

Ian,

Can you receive any station at a known frequency.  Here in the US it is easy to use WWV, but other standard frequency stations exist around the world.

Tune to the standard frequency station and do the Reference Oscillator Calibration.  K3 manual page 50.  Use Method 2.

I cannot guarantee it will fix the problem, but it is the first thing to try.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/11/2017 12:16 PM, Ian Kahn, KM4IK wrote:

> Ron/All,
>
> As I state in my original email, I don't have this issue on any other band.
> The first couple of times other ops reported me off frequency a bit, I
> thought the issue to be as you suggest - differences in how different
> ops hear the signal, a 1-2 Hz difference, etc. However, EVERY operator
> I tried to contact reported the same thing - that I am off frequency
> by about 500 Hz, that I need to adjust my RIT (which is not enabled),
> etc. That's why I'm concerned about a possible issue. I was also using
> my P3 to tune to signals, so I feel fairly certain that I was, in
> fact, on frequency as my receiver saw it.
>

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Re: 6m off-frequency

Bob McGraw - K4TAX
In reply to this post by Ian Kahn, KM4IK
You say RIT is not engaged, but what about XIT?   Either of these being
ON can cause an issue in this regard.    Additionally, the way one
person tunes to a SSB station may cause some frequency disparity between
two stations.   Excercise: with eyes closed, tune to a station and then
look at the display.

Also, the advent of digital readouts can cause this type of discussion
to arise.  Seems that everyone thinks the digital display is absolutely
accurate.  In most cases it is not a frequency measuring system but
rather a frequency display based on certain accepted oscillator
frequencies {which may or may not be absolute}  and math calculations if
the firmware.   It seems that we've migrated to setting the radio with
the display to be on a specific indicated value.

73

Bob, K4TAX




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Re: 6m off-frequency

k6dgw
Indeed!  The huge gulf between "precision" and "accuracy."   A display
with gobs of decimal places can be colossally but precisely wrong.  It
is also true that frequencies that end in .000 are "better" for many
people so I avoid them when looking for a run frequency. [:-)

This problem on 6 meters sure sounds like XIT or maybe SPLIT is engaged
for that band and has been remembered.  Years ago, 30 meters went dead
with infinite SWR on my K3 -- all the rest were fine.  Wayne finally
telephoned me and his first question was, "Which antenna is selected?"  
Antenna selection is remembered by band.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 6/11/17 11:28 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:
>
> Also, the advent of digital readouts can cause this type of discussion
> to arise.  Seems that everyone thinks the digital display is
> absolutely accurate.  In most cases it is not a frequency measuring
> system but rather a frequency display based on certain accepted
> oscillator frequencies {which may or may not be absolute}  and math
> calculations if the firmware.   It seems that we've migrated to
> setting the radio with the display to be on a specific indicated value.

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Re: 6m off-frequency

K7TV
In reply to this post by Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Ian,

I don't have any suggestions for a solution beyond what others have already
mentioned, but as a side note I would like to discuss the concept of "off
frequency".

It seems to me that these days, on the HF bands that I frequent, more and
more people tune SSB to where the displayed frequency is on an 500 Hz
boundary, and their rigs have sufficient frequency accuracy that excellent
copyability results without any further adjustment. This approach is much
faster than tuning by listening for most natural voice, which for me takes a
few moments. When I look over the shoulder of operators at Field Day, a
surprising percentage of people take a long time trying to tune for natural
voice, and still don't end up even close to correct tuning, so they should
be helped even more by just "going for the zeroes". While I haven't used 6m
recently, I would guess that the "zeroes" approach has become common there,
although the average rig may not be as frequency-accurate there as it would
be on the lower bands. Further to how to tune in other stations quickly, I
just found another way to minimize SSB tuning time when scanning the bands.
I configured the K3 to use the RIT knob to act as a coarse tuning knob
(CONFIG: VFO OFS), with 500 Hz steps (CONFIG: VFO CRS). I also set the main
tuning knob to a 500 Hz boundary. After setting things up this way, I use
the P3 with a span of +- 25 kHz to identify the next SSB station up or down
the band, then turn the RIT knob to put the passband over it. That puts me
close enough that only one more 500 Hz step will tune to perfect voice
clarity, and many times I will be tuned perfectly with no adjustment at all.
Much, much faster than cranking the VFO knob, first to approximate frequency
and then fine adjustment by listening. Occasionally it happens that the
station is not on a 500 Hz boundary, and I have to turn on RIT and fine
adjust by the RIT knob. Then I will usually soon hear that the station
saying that he is using an older rig. That is becoming rather rare, though.
After I am finished listening to the "off frequency" station, I just turn
off the RIT, and the RIT knob lets me tune in the next station quickly using
500 Hz steps, while leaving the main tuning knob alone. Now tuning SSB
stations is a bit like tuning FM "channels". I am not advocating
"channelizing" the HF bands, as we should have the freedom to select our
frequenciy according to the situation, but a lot of times, using a frequency
ending in zeroes saves time and effort.

73,
Erik K7TV

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ian Kahn
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2017 8:46 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] 6m off-frequency

All,

I've been operating a little in the ARRL VHF contest this weekend, on 6m,
and I'm having an interesting, and not good, experience. Everyone I try to
work is reporting that I'm off frequency by about 500 Hz. I don't have
RIT/XIT enabled. My K3, s/n 281, went to Elecraft earlier this year for some
upgrades and a tune-up, and came back with a clean bill of health and
meets/exceeds specs.

I admit, I am new to 6m operation, but this constant report of being
off-frequency concerns me. Is there some calibration step, specific to 6m,
that I missed? I don't get this report on any other band, and have never
gotten it in over 6 years of operating this rig. My assumption is that if it
came back from the Mother Ship clean, and I've never used 6m before, that it
should be properly calibrated.

Any guidance/advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks and 73,

--Ian
Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA  EM74ua
[hidden email]
10-10 #74624  North Georgia Chapter #2038 PODXS 070 #1962
K3 #281, P3 #688 KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468
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Re: 6m off-frequency

Nr4c
In reply to this post by Ian Kahn, KM4IK
How recently did you calibrate your P3 frequency reference?

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill


> On Jun 11, 2017, at 12:16 PM, Ian Kahn, KM4IK <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Ron/All,
>
> As I state in my original email, I don't have this issue on any other band.
> The first couple of times other ops reported me off frequency a bit, I
> thought the issue to be as you suggest - differences in how different ops
> hear the signal, a 1-2 Hz difference, etc. However, EVERY operator I tried
> to contact reported the same thing - that I am off frequency by about 500
> Hz, that I need to adjust my RIT (which is not enabled), etc. That's why I'm
> concerned about a possible issue. I was also using my P3 to tune to signals,
> so I feel fairly certain that I was, in fact, on frequency as my receiver
> saw it.
>
> Thanks and 73
>
> Ian Kahn, KM4IK
> Roswell, GA  EM74ua
> [hidden email]
> 10-10 #74624  North Georgia Chapter #2038
> PODXS 070 #1962
> K3 #281, P3 #688 KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ron Manfredi [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2017 11:55 AM
> To: Ian Kahn <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 6m off-frequency
>
> Have you experienced this on other bands, during casual operating since the
> rig was returned to you?
>
> I find that when I am on SSB, I tune until my ear may likes what I am
> hearing , and as such,  I may not be exactly on their frequency.   (that
> is one reason for RIT!)  Also, I have found that some ops feel that they
> have to be tuned to an even frequency on their digital display.   For
> them, if you are on 14.219.8 and not on 14.220.0  then you are off

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Re: 6m off-frequency

Jim - N4ST
In reply to this post by K7TV
I think it is not that difficult to be 500 Hz off on 6M.  I am frequently
200Hz off with the a K3S with the KTCX03-1 option factory installed.  Never
paid too much attention until the last few months when I started using
MSK144 on 6 Meters.  Now I can see that on 6M my frequency is typically off
by 50-70Hz from one day to the next and as much as 200 Hz if I let it go for
a month or so.  I figured that with a 0.5ppm (typical) KTCX03-1, it would
only vary 25 Hz from day to day.  Yes, I have adjusted REF CAL to beat with
WWV.  I've also performed the Norm/Rev CW tone adjustment and even the WSJTX
frequency cal.

___________
73,
Jim - N4ST

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Erik Basilier
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2017 17:42
To: 'Ian Kahn' <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 6m off-frequency

Ian,

I don't have any suggestions for a solution beyond what others have already
mentioned, but as a side note I would like to discuss the concept of "off
frequency".

It seems to me that these days, on the HF bands that I frequent, more and
more people tune SSB to where the displayed frequency is on an 500 Hz
boundary, and their rigs have sufficient frequency accuracy that excellent
copyability results without any further adjustment. This approach is much
faster than tuning by listening for most natural voice, which for me takes a
few moments. When I look over the shoulder of operators at Field Day, a
surprising percentage of people take a long time trying to tune for natural
voice, and still don't end up even close to correct tuning, so they should
be helped even more by just "going for the zeroes". While I haven't used 6m
recently, I would guess that the "zeroes" approach has become common there,
although the average rig may not be as frequency-accurate there as it would
be on the lower bands. Further to how to tune in other stations quickly, I
just found another way to minimize SSB tuning time when scanning the bands.
I configured the K3 to use the RIT knob to act as a coarse tuning knob
(CONFIG: VFO OFS), with 500 Hz steps (CONFIG: VFO CRS). I also set the main
tuning knob to a 500 Hz boundary. After setting things up this way, I use
the P3 with a span of +- 25 kHz to identify the next SSB station up or down
the band, then turn the RIT knob to put the passband over it. That puts me
close enough that only one more 500 Hz step will tune to perfect voice
clarity, and many times I will be tuned perfectly with no adjustment at all.
Much, much faster than cranking the VFO knob, first to approximate frequency
and then fine adjustment by listening. Occasionally it happens that the
station is not on a 500 Hz boundary, and I have to turn on RIT and fine
adjust by the RIT knob. Then I will usually soon hear that the station
saying that he is using an older rig. That is becoming rather rare, though.
After I am finished listening to the "off frequency" station, I just turn
off the RIT, and the RIT knob lets me tune in the next station quickly using
500 Hz steps, while leaving the main tuning knob alone. Now tuning SSB
stations is a bit like tuning FM "channels". I am not advocating
"channelizing" the HF bands, as we should have the freedom to select our
frequenciy according to the situation, but a lot of times, using a frequency
ending in zeroes saves time and effort.

73,
Erik K7TV

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ian Kahn
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2017 8:46 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] 6m off-frequency

All,

I've been operating a little in the ARRL VHF contest this weekend, on 6m,
and I'm having an interesting, and not good, experience. Everyone I try to
work is reporting that I'm off frequency by about 500 Hz. I don't have
RIT/XIT enabled. My K3, s/n 281, went to Elecraft earlier this year for some
upgrades and a tune-up, and came back with a clean bill of health and
meets/exceeds specs.

I admit, I am new to 6m operation, but this constant report of being
off-frequency concerns me. Is there some calibration step, specific to 6m,
that I missed? I don't get this report on any other band, and have never
gotten it in over 6 years of operating this rig. My assumption is that if it
came back from the Mother Ship clean, and I've never used 6m before, that it
should be properly calibrated.

Any guidance/advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks and 73,

--Ian
Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA  EM74ua
[hidden email]
10-10 #74624  North Georgia Chapter #2038 PODXS 070 #1962
K3 #281, P3 #688 KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468
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Re: 6m off-frequency

Mike Rhodes-2
In reply to this post by K7TV
...would certainly be interesting to set those operators who tune for
the "zeros" down in front of a vintage rig with a tuning dial - although
I think Erik alluded to that a bit in his post. Better yet, how about a
stint in the crystal controlled Novice band where you tuned from one end
of the band to the other in search of an answer to your call.

Mike / W8DN
Yes, a crusty OT

On 6/11/2017 5:41 PM, Erik Basilier wrote:

> Ian,
>
> I don't have any suggestions for a solution beyond what others have already
> mentioned, but as a side note I would like to discuss the concept of "off
> frequency".
>
> It seems to me that these days, on the HF bands that I frequent, more and
> more people tune SSB to where the displayed frequency is on an 500 Hz
> boundary, and their rigs have sufficient frequency accuracy that excellent
> copyability results without any further adjustment. This approach is much
> faster than tuning by listening for most natural voice, which for me takes a
> few moments. When I look over the shoulder of operators at Field Day, a
> surprising percentage of people take a long time trying to tune for natural
> voice, and still don't end up even close to correct tuning, so they should
> be helped even more by just "going for the zeroes". While I haven't used 6m
> recently, I would guess that the "zeroes" approach has become common there,
> although the average rig may not be as frequency-accurate there as it would
> be on the lower bands. Further to how to tune in other stations quickly, I
> just found another way to minimize SSB tuning time when scanning the bands.
> I configured the K3 to use the RIT knob to act as a coarse tuning knob
> (CONFIG: VFO OFS), with 500 Hz steps (CONFIG: VFO CRS). I also set the main
> tuning knob to a 500 Hz boundary. After setting things up this way, I use
> the P3 with a span of +- 25 kHz to identify the next SSB station up or down
> the band, then turn the RIT knob to put the passband over it. That puts me
> close enough that only one more 500 Hz step will tune to perfect voice
> clarity, and many times I will be tuned perfectly with no adjustment at all.
> Much, much faster than cranking the VFO knob, first to approximate frequency
> and then fine adjustment by listening. Occasionally it happens that the
> station is not on a 500 Hz boundary, and I have to turn on RIT and fine
> adjust by the RIT knob. Then I will usually soon hear that the station
> saying that he is using an older rig. That is becoming rather rare, though.
> After I am finished listening to the "off frequency" station, I just turn
> off the RIT, and the RIT knob lets me tune in the next station quickly using
> 500 Hz steps, while leaving the main tuning knob alone. Now tuning SSB
> stations is a bit like tuning FM "channels". I am not advocating
> "channelizing" the HF bands, as we should have the freedom to select our
> frequenciy according to the situation, but a lot of times, using a frequency
> ending in zeroes saves time and effort.
>
> 73,
> Erik K7TV
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ian Kahn
> Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2017 8:46 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] 6m off-frequency
>
> All,
>
> I've been operating a little in the ARRL VHF contest this weekend, on 6m,
> and I'm having an interesting, and not good, experience. Everyone I try to
> work is reporting that I'm off frequency by about 500 Hz. I don't have
> RIT/XIT enabled. My K3, s/n 281, went to Elecraft earlier this year for some
> upgrades and a tune-up, and came back with a clean bill of health and
> meets/exceeds specs.
>
> I admit, I am new to 6m operation, but this constant report of being
> off-frequency concerns me. Is there some calibration step, specific to 6m,
> that I missed? I don't get this report on any other band, and have never
> gotten it in over 6 years of operating this rig. My assumption is that if it
> came back from the Mother Ship clean, and I've never used 6m before, that it
> should be properly calibrated.
>
> Any guidance/advice is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> --Ian
> Ian Kahn, KM4IK
> Roswell, GA  EM74ua
> [hidden email]
> 10-10 #74624  North Georgia Chapter #2038 PODXS 070 #1962
> K3 #281, P3 #688 KAT500 #860, KPA500 #1468
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Re: 6m off-frequency

Richard Lamont
In reply to this post by K7TV
On 11/06/17 22:41, Erik Basilier wrote:

> I don't have any suggestions for a solution beyond what others have already
> mentioned, but as a side note I would like to discuss the concept of "off
> frequency".
>
> It seems to me that these days, on the HF bands that I frequent, more and
> more people tune SSB to where the displayed frequency is on an 500 Hz
> boundary, and their rigs have sufficient frequency accuracy that excellent
> copyability results without any further adjustment. This approach is much
> faster than tuning by listening for most natural voice, which for me takes a
> few moments.
[snip]
> Now tuning SSB stations is a bit like tuning FM "channels". I am not advocating
> "channelizing" the HF bands, as we should have the freedom to select our
> frequenciy according to the situation, but a lot of times, using a frequency
> ending in zeroes saves time and effort.

I agree with all of your post, including the bits I've snipped.

These days the majority of SSB signals are not just on exact multiples
of 500 Hz, but on multiples of 1 kHz too.

I see this evolutionary development as a big improvement over the old
analogue free-running LC VFO days, before digital readouts, when we
could neither measure nor control our frequencies to better than about
500 Hz. We needed the RIT just to cope with drift!

I am not advocating channelizing the HF bands either, as this would
curtail our freedom to an extent that is difficult to justify. However,
assuming a "channel" is 3 kHz wide, if we're working to multiples of 1
kHz, then we've already moved one third of the way to de-facto
channelization without even realising it!

Nowadays one the main sources of QRM is other stations exactly one or
two kHz away from us.

If as individuals we voluntarily choose frequencies that are exact
multiples of 3 kHz, then we can help to reduce this problem. It both
reduces QRM and makes for more efficient use of the spectrum.

The only Elecraft-specific aspect of this relates to CONFIG:VFO CRS,
where the available step sizes (for SSB) are 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 kHz.
It would be nice if 3.0 kHz could be added to this list in a future
firmware upgrade, and the selection made per-band as well as per-mode.

73,
Richard G4DYA
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