Grundig Yacht boy 400 Owner's Manual page 11

GETTING STARTED WITH SINGLE SIDEBAND (SSB); MARITIME & AERONAUTICAL
WEATHER AND COMMUNICATION FREQUENCIES; HAM RADIO COMMUNICATION
FREQUENCIES; TIME SIGNALS
High end shortwave radios, such as the Grundig YB400PE,
have a feature called SSB, a highly efficient way of electronically
processing transmitted and received signals for two-way
communication. Examples of this are amateur radios (hams),
maritime and aeronautical communication. Either upper side
band (USB) or lower side band (LSB) can be used.
Receiving SSB signals is not always easy. Since this is
two-way communication, transmissions are often very
short and sporadic. Also, most two-way communication
uses relatively low power, 50 to 1000 watts. The amateur
radio operators are easiest to find; the others can be very
difficult. Signals are also affected by the eleven year
sunspot cycle. Our current cycle began with the poorest
reception in 1996, improving to excellent conditions
peaking in 2002. Overall, very good reception can be
expected from 2000 to 2005-6. Finding SSB signals can
be like seeking a "needle in a haystack", so be patient.
The easiest place to find SSB communication is at night in
the amateur band shown below at 3700 - 4000 KHz.
HOW TO TURN THE SSB FEATURE ON
1. Slide the SSB switch (right side of radio) to the
ON position.
2. Use the STEP button to select 1 KHz tuning steps.
"STEP 1" will display in the lower right of the display.
3. Put the FINE TUNING control knob (right side of the
radio) in its center position.
4. Use the FINE TUNING control knob to fine tune
the signals.
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HOW TO USE THE STEP BUTTON
In AM (MW), SW and LW (see below), the STEP button
provides selection of the best tuning steps, in kilohertz.
This button is not functional in FM. The tuning step rate is
indicated in the lower right of the display, eg. "STEP 5".
Use these guidelines:
AM (MW): 10 KHz in the Americas; 9 KHz outside of
the Americas.
LW (longwave): 9 KHz for broadcast stations.
Note: you will probably not hear any stations in the
Americas, as longwave is not used for broadcast stations.
It is used in Europe and other parts of the world for
broadcast to those areas.
SSB: 1 KHz.
HOW TO USE THE LOCK BUTTON
When the LOCK button is ON, the word LOCK appears in
the upper right area of the display. Using this feature has no
effect on alarm functions.
When the radio is on: Pressing the LOCK button locks all
keys except the ON/OFF button and the SNOOZE button.
When the radio is off: Pressing the LOCK button locks all
keys. This will keep the radio from accidentally turning on
when packed in a briefcase, etc. When you want to listen to
your radio, press LOCK and then the ON/OFF switch.
HOW TO USE THE AM BUTTON'S LAST
STATION MEMORY FEATURE
Pressing the AM button over and over steps through the last
station tuned in MW, SW and LW.
HOW TO USE THE VOLUME CONTROL KNOB
Use this to control the loudness of the radio.
HOW AND WHEN TO USE THE RESET
FEATURE
If the radio operates erratically, gently poke an opened paper
clip into the RESET hole on the front. Normal operation may
be restored. Memory erased, clock reset.
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