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Task #5: Using the CLAR button
Task #5 introduces the CLAR (Clarifier) knob. The CLAR knob is particularly useful when
operating HF to try to improve weak station reception when there is strong adjacent noise.
Operators familiar with RIT, Receiver Incremental Tuning, and PBT, Pass Band Tuning already
understand the two primary concepts associated with the CLAR knob.
Pressing the CLAR button in momentarily, (less than one second) activates RIT and engages the
Select Knob for adjusting RIT. Depressing the CLAR button momentarily again disengages RIT
and the Select Knob from RIT.
Pressing the CLAR button for more than one second engages PBT and engages the Select Knob
to adjust IF shift for PBT. Pressing the CLAR button again for more than one second disengages
PBT.
Note: Engaging one of these functions while the other is active will not deactivate the first
function. The Select Knob will switch to the new function, and the display will
change to allow adjustment of the new function, but the first function will remain
active at the setting it was at. Each function has to be specifically deactivated with the
appropriate press of the CLAR button.
1. Place the radio in operation – do steps 1 to 7 from Task#1 to place the radio in HF mode.
Note: The current band should be an HF band to start this training task.
2. Do Steps 1 thru 5 on Page 40, Clarifier – Receiver Incremental Tuning of the FT-857D manual
to introduce using RIT.
3. Go to the next page and do Steps 1 thru 3 IF Shift to introduce PBT.
Note: Leaving PBT or RIT engaged when tuning the HF bands can be very useful. It keeps
the Select Knob defaulted to one of these functions. Recall that when switching Multi
Function Keys, e.g. to engage noise reduction or enable switching VFOs, the Select
Knob will after 5 seconds resume its previous default setting of rapid tuning. An
inadvertent turn of the Select Knob could cause the HF operator to jump away from
and lose a weak station. The annoyance of the Select Knob tuning/jumping away from
an HF contact won't happen if the Select Knob is left engaged to RIT or PBT. Also for
HF, Menu Item #80 should be set to make the SQL/RF knob an RF gain knob,
especially in noisy conditions. Ops should reduce RF gain and use the AF gain to try to
find a balance that achieves a "sweet spot" for best signal reception under the current
noise conditions.
Congratulations again – Understanding the concepts and completing the Tasks on the previous
pages has given you a basic introduction to operating the FT-857D and will make it much easier to
use the instruction manual that came with the radio.
Please forward comments or suggestions for improvements. 73 and good DX,
Roger
K6OU.
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