Hello All:

Total newbie to SW and radios in general but just bought an E5. A
couple basic questions:

1. What's the most effective way to use the external antenna that is
included? Simply string it out the window? Up the roof line?

2. Any info sites you recommend? I've already found RadioIntel,
Universal Radio, DXing.com and this newsgroup. I hope you're a friendly lot!

TIA

geeman

Sorry.

"M Garcia" geeman wrote in message
. ..
Hello All:

Total newbie to SW and radios in general but just bought an E5. A
couple basic questions:

1. What's the most effective way to use the external antenna that is
included? Simply string it out the window? Up the roof line?

2. Any info sites you recommend? I've already found RadioIntel,
Universal Radio, DXing.com and this newsgroup. I hope you're a friendly
lot!

TIA

geeman

Hello geeman,

As to the antenna, best I can say is *experiment* G. That's part of the
fun in this hobby. Trying different configurations. And sometimes, what
works today, may be totally silent tomorrow. That's from experience.

Look up "Monitoring Times" on the web (also a *great magazine" for the
hobby). One list on their sight is the *Hot 1000* IIRC. I'm not familiar
with the E5. Does it have SSB (single sideband) capabilities?

If you get the Monitoring Times magazine, it has a section that goes hour by
hour for 24 hours, listing broadcast stations in English on shortwave. Sort
of a TV guide for shortwave.

Welcome to the world of Shortwave Radio. If that radio has SSB, you can get
Ham stations, Utilities (ships, planes, etc.). On AM there is the Broadcast
Stations, some Ham, and CB. And it goes from there....

My first station, many years ago, was Radio Australia with a 30 foot hunk of
wire just thrown on the roof. (Didn't know it was a powerhouse station
then), but what a rush hearing that accent, and knowing it was from a
different part of the world.

Again Welcome!!! Hope you find most of us friendly and helpful. And just
remember, the *only* stupid question is the one *not* asked. I've seen
questions here that I didn't know the answer to and was glad someone asked,
because it got me learning new things. So ask away!!!!

Happy Listening,

Eric

"Eric Ferguson" wrote in message
...
Hello geeman,

As to the antenna, best I can say is *experiment* G. That's part of the
fun in this hobby. Trying different configurations. And sometimes, what
works today, may be totally silent tomorrow. That's from experience.

Look up "Monitoring Times" on the web (also a *great magazine" for the
hobby). One list on their sight is the *Hot 1000* IIRC. I'm not familiar
with the E5. Does it have SSB (single sideband) capabilities?

If you get the Monitoring Times magazine, it has a section that goes hour
by
hour for 24 hours, listing broadcast stations in English on shortwave.
Sort
of a TV guide for shortwave.

Welcome to the world of Shortwave Radio. If that radio has SSB, you can
get
Ham stations, Utilities (ships, planes, etc.). On AM there is the
Broadcast
Stations, some Ham, and CB. And it goes from there....

My first station, many years ago, was Radio Australia with a 30 foot hunk
of
wire just thrown on the roof. (Didn't know it was a powerhouse station
then), but what a rush hearing that accent, and knowing it was from a
different part of the world.

Again Welcome!!! Hope you find most of us friendly and helpful. And just
remember, the *only* stupid question is the one *not* asked. I've seen
questions here that I didn't know the answer to and was glad someone
asked,
because it got me learning new things. So ask away!!!!

Happy Listening,

Eric


Thanks Eric. The E5 does have SSB. So here's one of many dumb questions to
come. If I have SSB do I also have LSB and USB? I've read the definitions of
both as well as SSB but am still a little unclear. For example, a listing I
have from DXing.com reads: "This band is mainly used by aeronautical
stations in USB." Is the single-sideband capability referring to the fact
that I can receive just one "side" of the carrier wave, either USB or LSB,
and filter out the other side depending on which "side" is actually carrying
the signal?

Thanks for the tip on Monitoring Times. I actually found that one too but
forgot to mention it. I didn't poke around enough to find the broadcast
listings but I will definitely check it out. Thanks again.

geeman

In article , geeman
wrote:

"Eric Ferguson" wrote in message
...
Hello geeman,

As to the antenna, best I can say is *experiment* G. That's part
of the fun in this hobby. Trying different configurations. And
sometimes, what works today, may be totally silent tomorrow. That's
from experience.

Look up "Monitoring Times" on the web (also a *great magazine" for
the hobby). One list on their sight is the *Hot 1000* IIRC. I'm not
familiar with the E5. Does it have SSB (single sideband)
capabilities?

If you get the Monitoring Times magazine, it has a section that
goes hour by hour for 24 hours, listing broadcast stations in
English on shortwave. Sort of a TV guide for shortwave.

Welcome to the world of Shortwave Radio. If that radio has SSB, you
can get Ham stations, Utilities (ships, planes, etc.). On AM there
is the Broadcast Stations, some Ham, and CB. And it goes from
there....

My first station, many years ago, was Radio Australia with a 30
foot hunk of wire just thrown on the roof. (Didn't know it was a
powerhouse station then), but what a rush hearing that accent, and
knowing it was from a different part of the world.

Again Welcome!!! Hope you find most of us friendly and helpful. And
just remember, the *only* stupid question is the one *not* asked.
I've seen questions here that I didn't know the answer to and was
glad someone asked, because it got me learning new things. So ask
away!!!!

Happy Listening,

Eric


Thanks Eric. The E5 does have SSB. So here's one of many dumb
questions to come. If I have SSB do I also have LSB and USB?

Yes.

I've read the definitions of both as well as SSB but am still a
little unclear. For example, a listing I have from DXing.com reads:
"This band is mainly used by aeronautical stations in USB." Is the
single-sideband capability referring to the fact that I can receive
just one "side" of the carrier wave, either USB or LSB, and filter
out the other side depending on which "side" is actually carrying the
signal?

Snip

The word band has a different meaning depending on context.

When speaking about SSB, USB, LSB the inference is a range of
frequencies below (LSB) and above (USB) a stations carrier frequency.
This range of frequency is defined by the information that modulates the
carrier and so it is a small range of a few kilohertz wide. Here USB and
LSB are the sidebands of the carrier.

When speaking about a range of frequencies that by regulation are used
for a specific purpose such as aeronautical communications is a wider
range of frequencies that will accommodate many carriers or stations and
is more like 100 to 500 kilohertz in width.

Stations that broadcast in SSB mode usually only modulate one sideband
upper or lower. If your radios has a switch for USB / LSB then you will
have to pick the correct sideband to hear it. If your radio does not
have that switch you just turn the BFO control in one direction for USB
and turn it in the other direction for LSB.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

"Telamon" wrote in message
...

--Major Snippage of Previous Post--

The word band has a different meaning depending on context.

When speaking about SSB, USB, LSB the inference is a range of
frequencies below (LSB) and above (USB) a stations carrier frequency.
This range of frequency is defined by the information that modulates the
carrier and so it is a small range of a few kilohertz wide. Here USB and
LSB are the sidebands of the carrier.

When speaking about a range of frequencies that by regulation are used
for a specific purpose such as aeronautical communications is a wider
range of frequencies that will accommodate many carriers or stations and
is more like 100 to 500 kilohertz in width.

Stations that broadcast in SSB mode usually only modulate one sideband
upper or lower. If your radios has a switch for USB / LSB then you will
have to pick the correct sideband to hear it. If your radio does not
have that switch you just turn the BFO control in one direction for USB
and turn it in the other direction for LSB.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

You took the words right out of my mouth. : 0

Seriously, band in my example was your second definition specifically the
3400 to 3500 kHz frequency range.

So, is it accurate to say with my unit, which only has a button to switch to
SSB, I need only select SSB, start tuning, get a decent signal and turn the
BFO up (USB) or down (LSB) to resolve the transmission? When you say BFO, am
I wrong in thinking you're simply referring to the "Fine Tuning" dial I
have on my unit which must adjust in finer increments (frequency readout
does not change but differences in audio can be heard) than the Tuning dial
itself (1 kHz increments)? Otherwise I don't know what BFO is. I looked it
up and "beat frequency oscillator" seems to be a way to resolve an audio
frequency signal for a carrier wave (a fancy way of saying tuner?).

- If I am out of the official AM band (540 kHz-1700 kHz) should I always be
in SSB?

- What is the effect of the Wide vs Narrow switch and when should you use
either? The manual that comes with the unit bascially identifies these
controls but not necessarily their effect on reception.

Sorry about all the newbie questions. I learned a ton just looking up BFO
and the related references in different places so thanks for that one even
if I didn't get it. I like to understand things which is why I started this
damn note two hours ago and am just now finishing!

g

On Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:18:27 -0700, geeman wrote:


"Telamon" wrote in message
...

--Major Snippage of Previous Post--

The word band has a different meaning depending on context.

When speaking about SSB, USB, LSB the inference is a range of
frequencies below (LSB) and above (USB) a stations carrier frequency.
This range of frequency is defined by the information that modulates the
carrier and so it is a small range of a few kilohertz wide. Here USB and
LSB are the sidebands of the carrier.

When speaking about a range of frequencies that by regulation are used
for a specific purpose such as aeronautical communications is a wider
range of frequencies that will accommodate many carriers or stations and
is more like 100 to 500 kilohertz in width.

Stations that broadcast in SSB mode usually only modulate one sideband
upper or lower. If your radios has a switch for USB / LSB then you will
have to pick the correct sideband to hear it. If your radio does not
have that switch you just turn the BFO control in one direction for USB
and turn it in the other direction for LSB.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

You took the words right out of my mouth. : 0

Seriously, band in my example was your second definition specifically the
3400 to 3500 kHz frequency range.

So, is it accurate to say with my unit, which only has a button to switch to
SSB, I need only select SSB, start tuning, get a decent signal and turn the
BFO up (USB) or down (LSB) to resolve the transmission? When you say BFO, am
I wrong in thinking you're simply referring to the "Fine Tuning" dial I
have on my unit which must adjust in finer increments (frequency readout
does not change but differences in audio can be heard) than the Tuning dial
itself (1 kHz increments)? Otherwise I don't know what BFO is. I looked it
up and "beat frequency oscillator" seems to be a way to resolve an audio
frequency signal for a carrier wave (a fancy way of saying tuner?).

In looking at the picture of your radio at Universal Radio's site, I
see there is a SSB fine tuning control (knob 42). You would simply
adjust that knob back and forth for the best sounding signal. On other
radios, there is often a switch to choose the USB and LSB modes.

bob
k5qwg



- If I am out of the official AM band (540 kHz-1700 kHz) should I always be
in SSB?

Stations broadcast in all modes outside the official AM band,
sometimes AM, sometimes SSB or other modes.


- What is the effect of the Wide vs Narrow switch and when should you use
either? The manual that comes with the unit bascially identifies these
controls but not necessarily their effect on reception.

Sorry about all the newbie questions. I learned a ton just looking up BFO
and the related references in different places so thanks for that one even
if I didn't get it. I like to understand things which is why I started this
damn note two hours ago and am just now finishing!

g

In article , geeman
wrote:

"Telamon" wrote in message
...

--Major Snippage of Previous Post--

The word band has a different meaning depending on context.

When speaking about SSB, USB, LSB the inference is a range of
frequencies below (LSB) and above (USB) a stations carrier frequency.
This range of frequency is defined by the information that modulates the
carrier and so it is a small range of a few kilohertz wide. Here USB and
LSB are the sidebands of the carrier.

When speaking about a range of frequencies that by regulation are used
for a specific purpose such as aeronautical communications is a wider
range of frequencies that will accommodate many carriers or stations and
is more like 100 to 500 kilohertz in width.

Stations that broadcast in SSB mode usually only modulate one sideband
upper or lower. If your radios has a switch for USB / LSB then you will
have to pick the correct sideband to hear it. If your radio does not
have that switch you just turn the BFO control in one direction for USB
and turn it in the other direction for LSB.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

You took the words right out of my mouth. : 0

Seriously, band in my example was your second definition specifically the
3400 to 3500 kHz frequency range.

So, is it accurate to say with my unit, which only has a button to switch to
SSB, I need only select SSB, start tuning, get a decent signal and turn the
BFO up (USB) or down (LSB) to resolve the transmission? When you say BFO, am
I wrong in thinking you're simply referring to the "Fine Tuning" dial I
have on my unit which must adjust in finer increments (frequency readout
does not change but differences in audio can be heard) than the Tuning dial
itself (1 kHz increments)? Otherwise I don't know what BFO is. I looked it
up and "beat frequency oscillator" seems to be a way to resolve an audio
frequency signal for a carrier wave (a fancy way of saying tuner?).

- If I am out of the official AM band (540 kHz-1700 kHz) should I always be
in SSB?

- What is the effect of the Wide vs Narrow switch and when should you use
either? The manual that comes with the unit bascially identifies these
controls but not necessarily their effect on reception.

Sorry about all the newbie questions. I learned a ton just looking up BFO
and the related references in different places so thanks for that one even
if I didn't get it. I like to understand things which is why I started this
damn note two hours ago and am just now finishing!

The detector in most portable radios requires a carrier to demodulate
the audio. AM is amplitude modulation that has this carrier along with
the audio side bands (both upper and lower). SSB (usually just one side
band) generally does not have a carrier so the radio needs a replacement
for the missing carrier and that is the BFO, which is a local oscillator
that you tune that "beats" or mixes with the incoming side band signal
allowing it to be detected. Tuning this BFO is not a fine tuning
operation but adjusting the local oscillator to what the carrier would
be if it was present.

The wide and narrow filter selection usually has to do with whether the
signal you want to hear is far from other strong signals. The wider
filter will allow a wider and higher range of audio frequencies to be
heard in AM mode. Use the narrow filter when a near by channel is
causing interference in AM mode. SSB uses a narrower range of audio
frequencies so the wider filter will not make the signal sound better
and just allow more noise into the audio making it harder to hear what
is being said. So in AM mode you normally use the wide filter and in SSB
mode you usually use the narrow filter. This wide / narrow filter
selection is the final gate of a range of frequencies that get passed on
to the audio stage in the radio. Tuning moves this range of a few
kilohertz through the range of 500 KHz to 30,000 KHz on most radios.

Short wave covers 2,300 to 30,000 KHz and consists of many band
segments. There are 14 international broadcast bands that are with few
exceptions AM modulated just like the regular AMBCB band you know about.
There are a number of ham bands and they have digital, CW and SSB modes
of transmission. There are bands for utilities, air craft, marine and
military. If it is a person to person voice communication then it is
usually SSB mode and if it is an international broadcast then it is
usually AM mode.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

Greetings geeman:
I hope you like the E5. I have one too and I'm quite happy with it.

I'm located in northern California, and the antenna configuration that seems to work best for me most of the time is horizontal, pointing north-south. This is how I typically use the telescopic built-in antenna. There's also a wire antenna hanging from string on a light fixture and from the corner of my blinds, running horizontal along my ceiling. (It helps that I live on the top floor of the building.)

Antenna placement involves both increasing the signal and avoiding local interference. Sometimes the built-in antenna will be better than an external antenna. If you're finding that all of the shortwave signals are weak, think about trying an active loop antenna.

"weatherall" wrote in message
...

Today I went to a second post office to try to get some international
reply coupons but they were also out. I went to usps.gov to see if
they are for sale online but they're not. But I learned that new IRCs
are coming out on the first of September, and the new price is $1.85.
I found this webpage which explains the issue nicely:

An international reply coupon primer: http://www.n6hb.org/s-a/irc.htm

Thanks for this information.