The only downside is the task of getting the receiver tuned exactly
on frequency.

snip

How about using the CW mode to zero beat the receiver to the station?

When tuned directly on frequency in the CW mode, the signal
presents itself as a 700 Hz tone. Just now I tried an
outboard 700 Hz sinewave signal to beat against this, and
indeed it is a much faster method for getting on frequency
than equating the sidebands' pitches in the two sideband
modes. Now it's easy to use those modes to listen to
correctly pitched music on the worst signals, provided the
broadcaster can maintain some frequency stability.
Thanks for the prod!
One could also use the i.f. output on the rear panel for
a similar purpose.

Henry


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