Swl Basics And Communications Applications - Ten-Tec SSB-CW-AM Instruction Manual

SWL Information and Logging
Any issue of the Popular Communications or Monitoring Times
magazines will provide plenty of basic information on Short Wave
Listening (SWL) as a hobby with enthusiasts worldwide. Like
amateur radio, there are various specializations within the SWL
hobby such as collecting OSL cards, listening for exotic broad-
casts or to communications from airliners, embassies, world hot
spots, revolutionaries, "pirate" (unlicensed) stations, etc.
Regardless of your level of SWL interest, you likely will want to
keep a log of interesting signals you hear. A minimal log would
include the station identification, time, date, frequency and your
own remarks. The style of log is totally a matter of personal
preference. It can be a simple notebook, or a log form such as
the start-up logbook supplied with this kit, or some kind of
computer application.
Various ham and SWL logging programs can be downloaded from
BBS and internet sites. Most are shareware, meaning that you
would pay the author a royalty fee you continue using a program
beyond the specified trial period. A logging "program" is
basically a customized "information manager." Many of them
have elaborate searching and cross-referencing features,
compatibility with databases such as call-books, QSL-printing
and other conveniences. Perhaps all you want is a neat method
of keeping a record of the most interesting broadcasts you hear.
Take a look at all those general-purpose programs on your
computer: card file, address book, database, spreadsheet, even
word-processing. Very likely, you will get good ideas on how to
customize a program file structure to serve as a perfectly good
SWL log.
The Model 1254
as a "Communications" Receiver
The Model 1254 is engineered strictly as a receiver for SWL and
monitoring purposes. It has no built-in features designed for
two-way communications. However it is inevitable and also in
the very nature of the ham hobby that some builders will want to
try out this compact receiver together with a transmitter for on-
the-air communications. It is your responsibility to provide for
T-R switching, receiver muting and front-end protection,
frequency spotting, sidetone and other operating features taken
for granted in typical transceiver design.
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