rf gain

[swrvninmypala]

hello i just bought a new cobra ltd classic radio. i was wondering how should i adjust my rf gain in relation to my squelch to get better reception?

[swrvninmypala]

i am assuming it acts just like a squelch.

[Don_Burke]

RF gain should spend most of its life all the way up.

Turn it down if a signal is so strong it is being distorted.

[swrvninmypala]

Originally Posted by Don_Burke

RF gain should spend most of its life all the way up.

Turn it down if a signal is so strong it is being distorted.

good deal

[swrvninmypala]

if i bought a swr meter that didnt come with a coax cable...which cable would i need to get.

[swrvninmypala]

or where can a get a swr meter that comes with a coax cable?

[dd364]

Try radio shack.

[swrvninmypala]

Originally Posted by dd364

Try radio shack.

but i think there swr meter does not come with a coax cable

[swrvninmypala]

nevermind i see

[BNSFrailfan]

That is where I leave mine all the time. All the way up. I never touch it.

[markandjere]

I generally leave my squelch all the way down and the adjust the rf gain until I hear the static and back it off enough so I don't hear it.

[zz0468]

Originally Posted by markandjere

I generally leave my squelch all the way down and the adjust the rf gain until I hear the static and back it off enough so I don't hear it.

Then you're doing it wrong.

[Don_Burke]

Originally Posted by markandjere

I generally leave my squelch all the way down and the adjust the rf gain until I hear the static and back it off enough so I don't hear it.

That defeats the AGC.

[prcguy]

That is exactly what the RF gain is for and basically how its intended to be used for SSB and CW. It doesn't defeat the AGC in any radio I have used and it can give you perfectly good signals popping out of a velvety quiet background. RF gain is less useful in AM mode.

I'm listening to a net on 80m this way right now and you would think everyone is full quieting in FM mode, no noise floor whatsoever.

Some CW ops set and forget the volume control and use the RF gain to adjust the noise floor and volume together.

If a signal is so strong it distorts you would engage an ATTENUATOR if the radio has it (atten is at the front end of the radio), the RF gain on some radios has little to no effect on overload.
prcguy

Originally Posted by Don_Burke

That defeats the AGC.

[Don_Burke]

Every radio schematic I have looked at that had an RF gain control used the RF gain control to override the AGC voltage.

The reason you hear so much quieting is that reducing the effectiveness of the AGC lets the noise floor sound as weak as it really is since the AGC is less able to boost it. I have used that technique myself. It was pretty effective on channel 19 back in the day.

As you stated below, the RF gain can sometimes be used to help clear up distortion. No single control can be expected to clear it every time.

Originally Posted by prcguy

That is exactly what the RF gain is for and basically how its intended to be used for SSB and CW. It doesn't defeat the AGC in any radio I have used and it can give you perfectly good signals popping out of a velvety quiet background. RF gain is less useful in AM mode.

I'm listening to a net on 80m this way right now and you would think everyone is full quieting in FM mode, no noise floor whatsoever.

Some CW ops set and forget the volume control and use the RF gain to adjust the noise floor and volume together.

If a signal is so strong it distorts you would engage an ATTENUATOR if the radio has it (atten is at the front end of the radio), the RF gain on some radios has little to no effect on overload.
prcguy

[Highlander_821]

I'd like to toss in a vote in favor of the technique being discussed here--reducing RF Gain until just a crackle or pop is heard from the RX. Once any kind of decent signal is there, you'll hear it. Sometimes it works really well depending on conditions and the equipment being used.

I sometimes do this with my 10 meter standby radio, which is set to 28.400 most of the time and just sitting there waiting to let me know if 10 meters comes alive.

[mike_gain]

On a CB, RF gain fully clockwise, squelch fully counter clockwise. That way you can here all signals not just "decent" ones. RG-8X or M for swr meter. Don't buy doosey/workman, buy Diamond/Diawa. Check eham.net reviews on meters before you buy. I sure wish the rain would stop.

[BNSFrailfan]

Originally Posted by mike_gain

On a CB, RF gain fully clockwise, squelch fully counter clockwise. That way you can here all signals not just "decent" ones. RG-8X or M for swr meter. Don't buy doosey/workman, buy Diamond/Diawa. Check eham.net reviews on meters before you buy. I sure wish the rain would stop.

Turn off the Faucet then

[markandjere]

Originally Posted by mike_gain

On a CB, RF gain fully clockwise, squelch fully counter clockwise. That way you can here all signals not just "decent" ones.

Pretty much the way I do it. Only I back off the rf until the noise stops.

[swrvninmypala]

Originally Posted by mike_gain

On a CB, RF gain fully clockwise, squelch fully counter clockwise. That way you can here all signals not just "decent" ones. RG-8X or M for swr meter. Don't buy doosey/workman, buy Diamond/Diawa. Check eham.net reviews on meters before you buy. I sure wish the rain would stop.

good deal