On Tue, 2 Nov 2010 05:12:37 +0000, MrRas
wrote:

Hi all

I have an Eton E5 SW radio, I love listening to broadcasts from all over
the world, but I've had this radio for a few years now... and there is
one problem. I still have no clue how to work the SSB function.

I've read the manual and looked some stuff up online, but whenever I try
to use SSB all I get is a high pitched squeal. I see videos of people
using an E5 on SSB and they're getting clear signals that aren't
distorted- when I use my SSB button the station comes in all muffled
sounding and even with careful tuning I can never get it to sound good.

What is the point of SSB, when should I use it, how do I use it?

Thanks for any help.

You may just be having difficulty adjusting to the very fine tuning
you need to use. I'm not familiar with your receiver but assuming it
uses a little thumbwheel, you have to just barely move the wheel to
get it exactly right.

It'll help if you practice on an easy signal that you are already
familiar with. Tune to an AM (MW) powerhouse that comes in real well.
Now switch to SSB and tune it in that way. Practicing this way should
give you an idea of "what it sounds like" when you're close, and which
way to turn the wheel to get closer. It'll also give you a good idea
of just how exact your tuning needs to be on that receiver and
thumbwheel.

And do bear in mind that it isn't likely to ever "sound good", as you
put it. Clear and bearable is about all you should expect.

(I realize this advice presumed a number of things about your radio.
If it seems like crazy talk, just ignore it.)

--
Col. I. P. Yurin
Commissariat of Internal Security

Stakhanovite
Order of Lenin (1937)
Hero of Socialist Labor (1939)