Your First SSB Contact, Setting of Mic Gain and Compression, Other Tips from Jim W6LG

Jim Heath W6LG, discuss operating on phone today. He discussion things to consider in this first of three videos about making phone contacts on high frequency (HF) like 20 meters. Jim talks about things to consider. You may chose a different style. The issues discussed are Jim's opinions after being very active for 58 years.

[@joelhuntress6736]

This is great info! I made my first contact last week on 20M. The station said I had a strong signal but my audio level was very weak. Thanks for making this video.

[@tylersutcliffe871]

Made my day when I had a quick qso with you a few months back. De KL2S

[@FreeStuffGuy916]

N6EF-Thanks for another great video. I'm mostly a CW operator and do very few phone contacts other than contests or parks on the air activations even though I've been licensed since 1977. I can probably count on 1 hand the number of ragchew phone contacts I've done. Since I do so few phone contacts, these were helpful tips. I also have a better idea on how to set the levels on my Icom IC-7300. I look forward to the next video on Yaesu rigs since that's what I mostly use on my POTA activations (FT-857D). I don't live too far from you in Elk Grove. 73, Bill-N6EF

[@HamRadioAdventures]

Hi Jim, it is always good to catch one of your videos. I am glad you are well and operating. A very best 73 and good DX!

[@garrobb53]

Hey Jim it just hit me, i'm 69 just starting out, i really enjoy your vids the only reason i'm in this is because my grandfather was a ham. i remember being 8-10 yrs and watching him. but i actually see him teaching me when i watch your vids. i know your not that much older than me but i enjoy it. thanks garry K8BGF

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Jim, this is excellent advice and so practical. getting familiar with our radios and microphones really does help others understand us better. Two weeks ago i had a QSO with you on 20 meters and you sounded clear and so very readable, I think this is a testament to just what you have shared in this video. I hope i did not SAY QSL to you ;) Thanks for being a great Elmer 73 de K7SW

[@DK5ONV]

👀 Hey good Morning Kevin and a happy mid of the Weekday into the State of Utah! 73 de YFUG 💯👍🙋‍♂

[@hamradiowithkevin]

@@DK5ONV, UG ! Good to see you here., a good Wednesday to you as well. 73

[@kw8z]

Thanks Jim, another great video! I am looking forward to the others as well! When I passed General, I took your advice from a similar video you made in the past. It help me tremendously! Now that I have passed Extra, I am excited to continue learning even more from the wise Elmer's out there such as yourself! Thanks again for all you do for amateur radio! -Dave N4DVA

[@ronterrell6637]

Jim, Thank you for making me a better operator. Now I have a better understanding on properly setting my mic. I now understand the relationship between "ALC" / "Mic Gain" / "Comp" after watching this video. 73 - RON - KW6RON

[@leeg0uln582]

Hi Jim, I got my license over 30 years ago now, but still enjoy watching educational videos like yours. Every day is a school day. Regards 73 Lee G0ULN

[@78trav]

I agree completely Jim. My biggest pet peeve is saying "for ID" after your call. W8BT

[@Stewart0494]

Another great video. Thanks for the presentation and information for new hams. 73s

[@jodileslie6867]

Excellent information. Let those separate themselves as they wish...it IS known, no doubt in my mind! Thank you for every thing you do!

[@albert7ii]

Jim. THANK YOU. I am surprised how many folks I hear which seem not to have bothered with the settings for compression and other settings that can greatly affect their Audio. May this excellent video serve as a reminder to them to spend a bit of time on those settings... they might end up being pleasantly surprised. Thanks again for taking the time and effort required in making this video. If I were to get a dollar, or Euro for every time I heard a 5-9 given on a horribly distorted audio report I would be rich ! So sad, instead of helping the other operator improving his audio they are confirming to him that he sounds "great" . Albert. EI7II.

[@marktyldesley7373]

Nice video Jim, always good advice, I certainly learn a lot from your little talks Cheers Mark

[@PF9Z-HamRadioDXStation]

I fully agree about that ALC whats still 8 of 10 HAMS around the globe to high. And Jim.....i'm always gonna tell them or make a short notice to them. Its a pitty to hear a beautifull voice with distortion on the side, and often you can see this on the waterfall as well. Remember....mic gain first till youve got a good ALC, then tickle it with a bit compression to get that stable average, but stay below 15%. THX Jim for this good wake-up movie 😉 73s Sascha PF9Z

[@kengrey7263]

Good practical advice Jim. I wish radio societies would sort out including an operation guide with the licence for newcomers, including how to work DX stations running split for example. It may encourage more people to start using a microphones instead of disappearing into the digital world.

[@aj2isotadxing]

One way prop is also a misleading thing too, something I need to learn more about. Good vid as always jim.

[@MrTPF1]

Thanks for mentioning that QSL business. I was off the air for a while and when I came back on, that seemed to be rampant.

[@abrahamnorthhampton3327]

Such great advice! I'm trying hard to wean myself off the digital and electronic enhancements and get as close as I can to a "pure" experience. You are an inspiration, Jim! I'll send you an email on the Zoom call. 73 from Virginia!

[@jeff-73]

Thank you for this. I was listening trying to pick up how to talk on ssb. I started doing qsl all the time for only this reasons. I will take uohr approach going forward as it makes the most sense to me

[@mikeoswald8053]

Another great video Jim. Previously having viewed your "anti-OSL video", I have since been scrupulous on not using the term. Then on a cross pond contact the Italian fella who kept giving his info with several OSL's thrown in so that he understood that I understood. Finally in desperation I replied to him, "OSL, right! OSL, I got it!" All good", I replied. Then as I went to ORZ to log the call. It was then I realized that I had used the dreaded noun. Had I sinned? Forgive me Father Jim, for I have used the term QSL in a moment of weakness. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa. 🤣😁 73 de AA7MO

[@bianchispurs]

Jim, This is so nice to hear, I have been listing on 10 meters and they sounded like they were talking in code. Ozet, qtr, qls.... I was thinking had to learn the q codes before even jumping in, no nice to here you can use plain language,

[@tadsmedes2239]

Thanks Jim, I always appreciate the advice, and honestly learn something from every one of you videos.

[@WaynesWorld69]

I'm new to your channel and amateur radio as well. So far I've not used HF at all so this video is gold as far as how to be operational when using the radio. Thanks so much.

[@9w8zzkmohamad59]

Hi Jim. Excellent advice regards on exchange during qso. Introduction very short and sweet Nowadays the band condition up and down. Great sharing. Love watch your channel. From Zaheer 9W8ZZK from East Malaysia

[@glennstevenson6242]

Great job Jim. You're looking well mate. Cheers from VK.

[@k5rmj]

Great job Jim. Thanks for the info. 73

[@gebrowniii]

Great overview Jim and may I add one more item I see happening quite often and that is the practice of one not using phonetics when making your call and two using some made up phonetics ie After 6 sugar junk. Some nets will allow it some encourage it some won't stand for it. Thanks again for the video. 73 N6GEB

[@greasydot]

You covered this in a video a while back about the QSL dislike and setting the ALC. It has stuck with my and I'm very observant of the mike gain because of your comment. I hear a lot of very fine and very expensive radios on the air that sound like a golden screwdriver tweaked them. I want someone to tell me even if it hurts my feelings that I sound bad. Uncle Sam had a Heath Kit station monitor. He also got me into saying " back to you" at the end of my remarks.

[@kb6dxn]

Had to listen to this video twice just because, good info. When I first started I was on CW for over a year before I went to voice. I was lucky to have an old time operator for an Elmer and we would talk for hours on CW and then later on voice. Guess I got in the habit early but I don't use "Q" signals on voice but on CW I do. The "Q" signals I find are good for contacts that don't speak the same language and I think that's one of the reasons it is easier to get more countries on CW than Voice as well as you don't need as much power. - KB6DX

[@frankjankovich3512]

This was very helpful Thanks Jim

[@stacyjourdain4435]

Great advice…..heard you on the Icom 7300 the other night talking to some guys tried to break in Was a little under power……Thx

[@norbertstepien9185]

Great video Jim with lots of valuable info/suggestions. Besides "qsl", my pet peeves are "hihi" on SSB, another one is "we...are operating a..." Who is "we"? These affectations seem to be a way of trying to sound more professional and savvy when in reality it's quite the opposite.

[@RvtvvideoproduktiesNl]

Thank you Jim, i like the moment your eyebrows frowned at the moment you say qsl, i have seen your video’s to know your standpoint. Last days i try to make contacts and i irritate myself at stations that repeat their calsign yesterday someone did his callsign two times tight together a second in between and onother two times. I shut my radio off after this. Thanks for your lessons, 73 de PD5RV

[@hamradioexperience]

Jim, you mention in passing that an end-fed halfwave is 'not a good antenna'. As someone just getting into HF, I'd be interested in your thoughts as to why...possible video idea? Thanks! 73 de N9CVR

[@stevegriffin9552]

Good morning Jim, Great video I need to go back on my radio and check my settings. Been running my compression off . And like you said I like honest signal reports. I like to work POTA because you get on the radio and off because of the way propagation is, For me I may lose that person that’s why I’d like to keep it short. WD5ENH Steve

[@stirlingpark6145]

Excellent. Well thought out and presented Jim, thanks as always. I was expecting you to add "roger" to the usage of qsl? However, the use of both qsl and roger is helpful in contests where getting certain details across to and confirmed to/by the other station is important in order to complete the contact in as short a time as possible. e.g. If you are struggling to get your locator square over in bad conditions (I avoided qsb there) then the use of qsl, qsl, qsl is recognisable as a confirmation by the very repetition of the "word". With tongue in cheek then - qsl & roger should only be used when repeated three times? 73 de Terry

[@superconductorchip9072]

Hi Jim I've forgotten how many times I've explained to New and Old Hams how to use the ALC and MIC gain, it's surprising the amount of Hams that still shout down the microphone when calling DX. 73 Dean

[@larryak0z672]

I agree with the QSL bit. Also "please copy" is another. Using standard phonetics is my stickler. Thanks for the informative videos. Alpha Kilo Zero Zulu

[@jerryKB2GCG]

Please copy us appropriate before sending formal traffic

[@larryak0z672]

@@jerryKB2GCG Good to know.

[@full_metal2452]

😂 that “QSO” thing is so true! I hear it on D-Star also 🤣

[@ilikeradiocircuits1306]

Hello Jim. Nice instructional video. I have a question. I have an older pride type amp that functions on ssb as well as AM. If I use this amp on my 10 meter radio set to ssb mode, do I need to set the mic gain higher, in order to make sure the amp relay engages? I'm old man but a new Ham. So if this is a ham operator sin, well, forgive me.

[@jeffminnick5209]

Yet another great video Jim, and yes compression is tricky for some at best as is gain staging...i am not only a ham but also own a recording studio and most don't quite understand how compression actually works... Wait for it...QSL?? (Had to) by the way finally got the drapes home (sent the pics to you a while back) and wow how can you not love an L4B...hope all is well and yes a zoom call would be kinda cool 73 WD8JM

[@richb.4374]

Thanks for the info Jim, QSL?

[@dannymatthews855]

Great videos.... Thanks.

[@JohnJones-vf1zk]

I’m guilty of the qsl term Jim, your right I listened to a recording of myself and I sounded ridiculous saying that all the time 😂

[@Frisky0563]

Hi Jim hope your doing well!

[@alainmichaud8992]

Hi, I am a new, old! Never used my call sign yet; very scary! There must be a standard procedure to adjust that audio level off-line? I can't believe that modern science could not yet resolve that problem? Standard tones or something?

[@jkyontz]

Thanks, Jim. What microphone do you recommend for an Icom 706 MK 2 G?

[@danir2121]

Hi.. Great Video. What s better Bandwidth with icom for dx.. 2.4 1.8 or with Boosting the High and rolling the Bass also 2.9 Khz...? Thank s

[@JayN4GO]

Fb video Jim. Yes I don’t like qsl either. Unless I’m confirming a reference number in Cw. How do you like your 101d? I think you purchased one. I’ve been studying for my extra after being a general for 20 years. The RLC circuits really confuse me. E5,E6 of the question pool. I may shoot you an email for zoom on some of these electrical engineer questions. Talk soon my friend.

[@viralsheddingzombie5324]

Hey Jim, do you still use the Drake equipment?

[@marks2254]

Thanks Jim. What are the DX clusters?

[@kyroha]

When I first started I always felt like I must be screwing up if I got a bad signal report. Now I know, well I very well may be screwing something up, but it also may be just the way the bands are at the time. And if I am screwing up it would be good to know about it so I can fix it. So give me that 33 please, it won't hurt my feelings.

[@jerryhudson3033]

you are great man, I like you !

[@richardcallihan9746]

Will implicate your suggestions. 73

[@N7ECVQRPLIFE]

It blows my mind how many operators with poor signals are told how great they sound. I gather a lot is just lost to the RX ear.

[@paulkazjack]

Why say End fed wires are crap? Talked all over the world with mine., and costs a fraction of a Big Yagi, which i wouldn't want as they're directional and more of a faf.

[@vironpayne3405]

QRP stations often use QSL... for good reason.

[@ham-radio]

But not over and over and over and over in the same transmission. QSL QSL 73, Jim QSL?

[@scottkralph]

Hey Jim, Great video! I remember your dislike of QSL 😀 My use of it is constrained to the exchange of call sign and RST when I think it's not obvious the reception is there. So I'm my mind, for better or worse, I think of it as a strong suggestion of confirmation. Like when they copied your call sign with some errors. Certainly not the nonsense of QSL echo that you've described and I've experienced as well.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

People don’t use honest signal reports during a contest unfortunately

[@TheRdeanpeek]

🎯🙋

[@ny9h]

Hi Jim, you forgot. "Please copy" !!!!!!-

[@AliReza-zx8km]

💝🇧🇩

[@socialite1283]

Using a microphone you do NOT want any microphone directly in front of your lips. You want the top of the microphone no higher than the centre of your chin. This is so that your breath goes past the microphone and not directly into the capsule. 1/ you do not want moist microbe laden air corroding the metallic parts of the microphone capsule, and 2/ you want to maximize the strength and readability of your signal. Plosive pops do not help with readability of your audio and will either overmodulate your audio or will cause your compressor to pull back the signal strength, or both.

[@Nikonman77]

Hello Jim , what about all those old timers Verbally abusing all the new ham radio operators calling them CBer’s and other names and running them all off I know three friends who quit ham radio because of the old-timers bad mouthing him I have a critical about everything is radio we talked everything call him names this is getting old

[@ham-radio]

I can't answer without doing some research. So what band? Was it a net? What are the callsigns of the idiots who abused the new guys? What words did the new guys use that got the old guys upset and abusive? Anything that you can tell me will help. A general statement doesn't help much. This information will help new guys so please answer and fill in where you can. 73, Jim

[@timbacchus]

For one thing your KZbin audio is so good. de WB7ORB since 65

[@MrMuppetbaby]

Thanks Jim! Great video. 73 de Tod KJ6H

[@amateurshooter6054]

Thanks Jim 73 AB7RR