[HQRP] zero beat ?????????

[K5BDZ@aol.com]

George
Glad you are happy with your Century 22 and welcome to one of my favorite 
types of receiver... the DC receiver.  Zero Beating is easy and an important art 
if done properly.

Basics of zero beating (K5BDZ version) a DC receiver and how to use the RIT:
1.  If the receiver has a RIT (receiver incremental tuning) center the knob 
of the RIT control - which sometimes has a center detent of the control.  
Usually this places it in the position where the receive frequency is the same as 
the transmit frequency.
2.  With your VFO knob, tune in a CW signal and you will note as you tune 
across the signal it starts at a high pitch, then goes lower in pitch as you tune 
across it, and then starts going high in pitch again.
3.  The lowest pitch of the CW signal is zero beat.  From zero beat,  tuning 
one direction will tune the lower sideband of the signal, and tuning the other 
direction tunes the upper sideband of the signal.
4.  Now tune the signal to the lowest pitch and stop.  Then use the RIT 
control to fine tune across the signal.  See how that works... like very fine 
tuning of the VFO knob.  With the Received signal at ZERO BEAT tune your RIT both 
directions (first one then the other) across Zero Beat until the CW signal is 
pleasing to your ear.  Make a note of the "clock settings" of the RIT control 
on both upper and lower sidebands of the signal.  This you'll now use as your 
future starting point reference.
5.  On a DC receiver, USUALLY the Zero Beat of the VFO is also the ZERO BEAT 
of both receiver and transmit signals.
6.  And on most DC receiver xcvrs, such as the Century 22, the RIT functions 
in Receive mode only and does not control the transmit VFO.
7.  With RIT control centered, tune in a CW signal and tune to Zero Beat.  
Now tune your RIT to your favorite clock setting to receive the signal.  Here's 
the fun part.....!  If some other signal is interfering with your received 
signal, tune your CW station in on the OTHER sideband with your RIT.  And now 
operate normally.... you haven't changed the transmit signal, only your received 
signal.  And you have a clearer receiption of your contact station by 
listening on the other sideband with your DC receiver. (You can't do that with a SSB 
type receiver).

I love the "choice of sideband" option of DC receivers.  It's kind like some 
people prefer blondes others brunettes... whichever blows your skirt the 
highest is your favorite!

Have fun.  There's more you'll learn through experience... I tried to "over 
simplify" above, but hope you understand the basics

Have a great time... the Century 22 is a great little rig!!!  Now about that 
CW filter control................ah well , another time.....

Bill K5BDZ


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