Jerry:
You are correct. Shifting the PTO offset to get zero beat will put the
beat note outside the filter passband. Try the scheme used in the
Corsair. The spot button just activates an internal audio oscillator
that is set to 750 Hz, the same frequency as the CW offset. You just
push the button then zero beat the incoming signal with the 750 Hz tone.
It takes a little practice and it works better if you're wearing
headphones, but its simple and works quite well. My Paragon doesn't have
this feature and to me it seemed like a step backwards.
73,
Bob WB2VUF
Jerry Volpe wrote:
With great pleasure I have added a pair of Argosy 525s to my Ten-Tec
station (yes, I'm the one looking for replacement front panels, etc.)
These are non-digital, fairly early serial numbers so I am awaiting a
Tech Note from Ten-Tec on suggested updates... and I'm reviewing some
suggested mods I found on the Internet..., but those are subjects for
other discussions.
What I didn't realize before I began my search for the Argosy's (small
matter though) is that the 525 deviated from the Triton and Omni designs
(which I used from 1977 till the present) by not having a 'Spot'
function (yes, I know there is no RF gain control either but I know how
to remedy that one should it become needed).
Now I try to be a well mannered CW op... and of course it is good
practice to be able to reasonably zero-beat the other station. It
appears that the Argosy philosophy on zero-beating is to 'WAG' it by
tuning the station for a peak in the CW audio filter. Personally I
prefer temporarily negating the PTO receive offset and tuning for the
actual 'zero beat'. Yes, I know the filter isn't suppose to respond
below say 200 Hz so I guess even that approach is a 'WAG' too. But it is
a Wag I am comfortable with. Hmmmmmmmm
Anyway, before I go digging into the schematic and compare to a Ten-Tec
with a built in Spot function I wanted to just see if anyone has taken
this one before and what the outcome was satisfaction wise. There are
several un-used RCA connectors on the back panel so I thought I could
attach an external SPOT push button via one of those and avoid drilling
holes.
[Regarding other Zero-Beat options, my station does have a
'Son-of-Zero-Beat' (nifty toy) which I use with great delight along with
the Ten-Tec rig's that I am fairly confident of the actual offset
amount.... this doesn't include the Argosy's.... at least not until I do
a proper alignment.]
73,
Jerry, KG6TT
Fairfield, CA
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