Transmit:
Set the receive frequency and mode, setting the desired output power using button G3. Note that it is recommended
that for voice modes that “full” power not be used unless you have carefully configured for clean, linear output
power.
Initial SSB transmit audio set-up:
• Connect the mcHF transceiver to a 50 ohm dummy load capable of handling at least 10 watts. Alternatively,
you may tune to a clear frequency while connected to an antenna with a known-good 50 ohm match.
• Use button G1 to select LSB or USB mode as desired.
• Press button F2 to select the AUDio meter.
• For testing, press button G3 to select the 0.5 watt setting: The power setting does not matter for this
configuration.
• Connect the microphone to connector J3: This is is the one just above the speaker connector on the right side
of the UI board, below and to the right of the FREQ ENC control. The mcHF is typically used with an
electret-type microphone element and power for the microphone element is supplied by the radio.
• Press button M3 to switch from RIT to MIC. If the box to the right-hand side of RIT shows “LIN” which
indicates that line-input mode is active, press-and-hold button M3 to change it to MIC. Press button M3 as
necessary to highlight MIC on the display: This allows the adjustment of the microphone gain.
• Now, key the radio using the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button on the microphone: The spectrum display should
freeze.
• Speak normally into the microphone. You should see the indicator on the AUDio meter bounce upwards.
While speaking, adjust the ENC3, which adjust the MIC parameter, so that the AUDio meter indication
peaks up to +4 or so (in the red) on peaks. Occasional, higher, higher peaks are permissible, but avoid
settings that cause full-scale indications which could imply distortion.
• Release the PTT button and press button F2 to select the ALC meter.
• Press button M1 to highlight the CMP on the display: This will allow the adjustment of the compression
level of the speech processor.
• Press the PTT button and speak normally again. You should see the ALC meter indicate upwards on voice
peaks occasionally: If it does not, increase the MICrophone gain slightly.
• Adjusting CMP to a higher value will increase the aggressiveness of the speech processor: A value of 2 is a
nice, modest value and a value of 12, while very “punchy” and can be used to maximize “talk power” will
likely sound very “processed” and may be unpleasant for normal, casual QSOs. The value of “SV” will allow
the selection of custom settings – see the full manual for additional information.
• Once you have configured the settings to your satisfaction, press-and-hold button F1 to store them in
memory.
Comment:
AM transmission operates the same way as SSB, but frequency translation mode must be activated.
Remember also that the unmodulated carrier in AM will be ¼ that of the PEP power in SSB! Because of this
the power setting in AM is automatically limited to a maximum of 2 watts.
What to do if you notice that the ALC or AUDio meters jump when you key your
microphone:
In a quiet room with an antenna or dummy load connected to the mcHF, set the METER mode to ALC and key the
microphone/transmitter without talking and note if ALC meter jumps at the instant that you key the transmitter and
goes down again. Next, switch the METER mode to AUD and key the microphone/transmitter again, watching the
AUDio meter.
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