Optimizing your HF Reception

With the 2024 California QSO Party rapidly approaching, Jim W6JCZ talks to the Sierra Foothills ARC about the various features in a modern HF radio, and how to optimize the receiver's operation.
Jim's involvement with radio started with CB at the age of 11, eventually progressing to a ham license in 2021. He now holds an Amateur Extra license, and enjoys working the HF Bands nearly every day.

[@buddyhoover57]

I learned a lot, Thank you!!

[@jimpiper5297]

For me, terrific presentation, Jim!
I have to tell a story on myself. Once upon a time, long time ago, in a galaxy far away called the US Navy I was trained as an electronics technician (ET) specializing in communications. The Navy had (and still has) specialists who were charged with OPERATING comm equipment and processing transmit and receive traffic. As an ET I was trained to >FIX< radios v. operate them. Re the RF Gain control (like the one on the venerable old R-390), I knew that CW rotation of the knob increased the gain and CCW decreased. I had no knowledge of >what< it really did.
When I got my General ticket a friend of mine loaned me his Icom 7000 to help get me on the air right away. After connecting it all up and turning it on, I cranked the RF gain max and turned on the preamp. And, now, predictably, I couldn’t hear cr*p through the noise. Through a lot of experimenting sans any elmering from anyone, I sorta got it figgr’d out - sort of.
Thank you Jim, for stripping the rest of the mystery away and I can now properly tweak that knob.

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

This was very useful advice, especially highlighting the difference between SDR and superhet rig operation. Thank-you.

[@warrenphillips69]

Great presentation, well delivered.

[@YB0BBJ]

good and relevant presentation closed on a hi pitch about the IC7300 and FTDX-10. thanks DE YB0BBJ

[@BobKehr_FLHXSE]

Thanks Jim. I didn't even know my K3s had an APF feature before listening to this presenation. Doh! 😀 73 de KA9MDP

[@AA5MC]

I also learn alot

[@CamilleCullen-ow6qj]

Great talk, many thanks!! Robert K5TPC

[@richardcarroll2605]

Your your radio is only as good as your antenna