On 5/3/2012 5:51 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > That's not true. Every rig manufactured today provides a CW filter > option that works very well for reducing/controlling the AGC blocking > issue. The FT-950 provides selectivity down to 500 Hz in its "PKT" > modes as do many other "affordable" rigs.
Yes, but some rigs are more versatile than others, and some operators don't bother to learn enough about their radios to use the options that they provide. Some rigs may not allow digital transmission at the frequency where that filter is centered, or may not allow it to be switched in for SSB modes. In other cases, the architecture of the rig may require that a different input of the radio be used for the digital modulation. For example, I think I remember correctly that I had to feed the Patch input of my FT1000MP for AFSK to center it in my RX filters and for VOX to work. Or maybe it was the Packet input as you noted for the FT-950. There's also the matter of learning to use all the controls on the radio to best advantage, including, as others have suggested, the RF gain control. Back in the old days, AGC was rarely used on CW, we set AF gain to a suitable level and rode the RF gain control as needed, and switched in a crystal filter to bring out the signal we were interested in. One of the things about becoming a better operator is taking the time to learn these things. Those who choose not to do so will continue to be limited by their ignorance. 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
