Understanding The Regeneration Control - Ten-Tec 1253 Assembly And Instruction Manual

Using & Understanding
the Regeneration Control
In theory, your receiver's Regeneration Control adjusts the level
of feedback or self-oscillation of the FET detector section (Q2).
In practice, this control is like a "joystick" for optimizing receiver
performance. Your ability to handle this "joystick" saves you
many dollars over today's cost of receivers which perform similar
functions "automatically." You might even get more control over
receiver performance in varying situations than may be possible
with more expensive receivers. Once you know how to use it,
it's a fun control!
With the control turned fully to the left (counter clockwise),
the receiver is virtually silent. "Regeneration" begins at a
certain point as you turn the control clockwise. The exact point
varies not only from band to band but even as you tune within a
given band. Regeneration begins as an audible increase in back-
ground noise followed by a soft hiss. The hiss, or any signals
that may be on frequency, increases as you continue to turn
clockwise. If you go too far, the signal becomes distorted, or
the receiver begins to squeal (oscillate).
Always use the LEAST amount of regeneration necessary for
good reception of a given signal. The best reception of AM
shortwave broadcast signals occurs just before regeneration
begins. If you hear a whistle (carrier) along with an AM signal,
turn the control back slightly until the carrier disappears.
When there are many very strong shortwave AM broadcasts in
a given band, such as is common in the early evening,. you will
find it possible to tune them in one after the other with the
regeneration control set "way back" and requiring virtually no
adjustment. In other words, you would tune from station to
station just as if using any other type of shortwave set.
When the receiver is adjusted for good AM reception, CW signals
will sound like hisses. Advancing the regeneration control
slightly will bring in the familiar beeping associated with CW,
RTTY (radio teletype) or similar signals.
The regeneration control can also serve as a fine tuning control,
permitting slight adjustments of CW pitch for the most pleasing
sound, or best clarity in a SSB voice signal. After you've had
some practice with using the regeneration control, it will become
second nature, giving you a sense of real control over the
performance of your receiver.
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