John,
Absolutely, there is a way to check the rig sensitivity without a signal
generator. It is known standard frequency stations like WWV and WWVH, and
known frequency and level stations like the DX beacons from 20m on up. Look
on DX web sites to find the Northern Cal. DX Foundation, and others, and
find the links to explanations of the power stepping and time slots for
various beacons located around the world. They each have a time slot, and
each steps power from 100 watts down and thus you can see if you hear the
lowest powered step they have.
You did not say what antenna you are using , how old it is, etc. That is
always the first thing to check, then your feedline. Also, check WWV
propagation bulletin, to see if the conditions are holding up for the higher
bands to even work. As we head down the sunspot cycle from this double peak
it had last time, there will be varying conditions of some good band days
and some not good.
73,
Stuart K5KVH
|