Understanding CW Tuning

[@michaelhiggins7365]

After being in the Amateur hobby for about 16 years, I just made my first ever CW contact. I found this video to be EXTREMELY HELPFUL. This concept of zero beating and using features like the Spot Button found on the KX-3 are difficult at best, when reading about them in a manual, but when the same concepts are viewed in a video, it really starts to come together. Without seeing this, I don't think I would be able to grasp the concepts. Thank you, so very well done. de KM2U

[@QRPSchool]

Congrats on making your first CW contact. That's a big deal in the life of a ham! -Cliff

[@vincentmartin2528]

I already knew what 0 beating was, but listening to you explain it made me truly understand it as well as clear up my bit of confusion on the side tone as we. EXCELLENT video and description on the topic. Thank you.

[@raymondl.3014]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, for the 'plain English' explanations for some of the things a new Ham might not know. Very well done explanations. Raymond, WF7BSR

[@davidvaughn7752]

Thank you for the wonderful explanation! I'm just getting into CW and loving it. However, I didn't know about the nuances you presented in this instructional video; for example, id didn't know about the tone being generated on a different frequency. Also, the points you bring up in the beginning of the video are excellent and come mostly through experience. Great service to those new to CW like me and I'll be a better operator for it! Thank You!!! 73 K7GYB

[@joekrepps]

Thanks for the video! I operated CW exclusively from 1977 to about 1998. I'd heard about zero beat but never gave it a thought in regards to narrowing the band space for a QSO. Now, from that perspective, it makes sense! I've always operated just a couple hundred hertz up, to get a sidetone from the other station that I liked. I've got RIT on all of my rigs but, unless my FT-891 has a special function (buried deep in it's confounding Menu->Menu->Menu "organization"), my other rigs definitely don't do automatically. Tnx de WB3CFN....dit dit

[@MeOnTech]

One of the best Videos on this subject I have seen. Thanks for you time.

[@Terribleguitarist89]

Another benefit to learning CW as a musician, that wavering in tones is the same thing a guitarist listens to when we tune by ear.

[@4s6ryd]

Cliff Really appreciate your video and thank you very much. Been a licensed ham for about a year now and slowly moving into CW. Your video answered and cleared few doubts/confusions I've been having in the last few weeks. Keep up the good work. I am subscribing to you.

[@rcbrush99]

This was really an excellent explanation of zero beating and how to go about it. Nice job!

[@davidj.wilcox6053]

Fantastic educational video! Every CW op should watch this a few times. Now do one to show how to tune a direct conversion radio for correct CW side tone and frequency. Thanks. Dave K8WPE

[@KC6CNN]

Keep up the great videos. You are a online Elmer. I tell most of our new guys about your videos. You provide a great service Sir.

[@QRPSchool]

Thanks for the kind words! I'm in my "busy season" with my work but will be back with more videos before long. Thanks again! - Cliff

[@MichaelLloyd]

Great video. I did a quick scan and I didn't see an iPhone "tone" app mentioned. Audio Tool is a pretty good app for quite a few different sound needs, including the tone generator. Bob Heil recommended it it on TWIT Ham Nation. I never thought about using it to zero beat a CW signal thought.

[@2E0FNG]

The more hams that can zero beat, the better. Great instructional video.

[@TheArtofEngineering]

I want a KX3!! Great video. You are keeping CW alive...God bless! 73 de VK2AOE

[@PelDaddy]

This answered a lot of my questions about CW, a topic I am very interested in. Thanks. 73

[@smilerjon3670]

Finally found someone who has made sense of this . Many thanks for your easy to follow tutorial. :)

[@davidgallois5634]

Thank you for making this video. Best explanation and demo. This really helped me. Kindest regards.

[@loctite222ms]

When you mentioned a phone app, it finally dawned on me. I found a audio signal generator and a frequency counter app. Now I know what my sidetone frequency is set to and can generate a tone for zero beat on my TT paragon. That and knowing the transmitter frequency offset I now know what frequency is actually transmitted when the received signal is zero beat to my sidetone.

[@AzCrawler00]

Old video, but I see no mention of the use of CW and CW-R, that is, reversing the sidetone to find zero beat by ear. Very fast and very accurate.

[@martygibson7216]

Top video..being new to cw that was the trouble I was experiencing..tuning!!! Thanks

[@DucatiMTS1200]

Really clear explanation. Thanks for taking the time and effort. 👍

[@astrorad2000]

Thank you...I now have a KX3 and I am still discovering all that it can do...73 WB9NYI

[@jamesleem.d.7442]

Nicely taught. If your station is equipped so that you can "see" other stations' signals on screen (e.g. P3 scope with my K3) then it is duck soup to simply jiggle the VFO up or down and move my carrier precisely onto the received station's frequency.

[@command0z]

This video was very helpful. Thank you

[@thunderjagman]

The zero beat makes sense to me as a guitar player. Tuning a string using another string has a similar sound effect on the beat matching sound.

[@stephennelson-smith3312]

Superb explanation, thank you,

[@RandyUpchurch]

Thanks for the video. I have been struggling with performing this task for some time. You are doing a great job with these videos. Keep up the good work. 73, Randy, N4NOM

[@QRPSchool]

+Randy Upchurch (N4NOM) Thanks, Randy. Currently I'm in Bonaire, snorkeling and scuba diving. I brought a radio with me but haven't put up an antenna yet. I've got 10 more days but I'll try to play radio here in a day or two. More videos coming but interrupted by great vacation! - Cliff

[@drfranzatutube]

Great! Very helpful and neat explanation on both theory and practice, tnx a lot!

[@aroc000]

Excellent explanation! Thanks

[@VA7BC]

Excellent guide. Thank you.

[@taraxicumofficinale3538]

thanks Cliff, I learned a whole lot! Much appreciated

[@rlm975]

Outstanding instruction W6ORV

[@courierdog1941]

There are also ZeroBeat tuning assist modules which can using an Aural or Visual Aid ie Son of ZeroBeat or GrandSon of ZeroBeat. It was much easier in the days past when we had separate Receive / Transmit devices prior to the Advent of SSB ZeroBeating was just that ZeroBeating with the incoming signal. using SSB XCVR is a little more complicated but the newer units have somewhat simplified the process. Cheers 73 VE6LX

[@hopefilmstv3942]

your a naturally a teacher!

[@martygibson7216]

I use a flex3000 rig..currently investigating on board side tones . I must read a little more..I use MRP40 cw decoder on PC and generate (cheat) using the same for TX. It says to TX using Ssb. Not in CW mode.Would there be anything I would need to do to make the offset correct ?That's where my head hurts... I'm thinking the MRP software is offsetting tone for me. Eg,. Tune to say 14.040 USB , listen to tones or cq call.Get the mrp listening bar slid down to around 600hz... The afc fine tune there also... My vfo still at 14.040 lsb, I type my reply call (or set macro tab) , key and send..I assume my TX is sent at 600hz on 14.040 lsb.Thoughts??? In my head I need to offset.. Not using cw mode doesn't seem right when I want to CW operate.Help,,,

[@7X2TT]

New to CW and really enjoyed watching this video, thanks for taking time to make it --... ...-- de Abdel M0NPT

[@brucemecham3406]

Good to see a new video from you, looking forward to seeing you at FDIM de KA7MHD

[@QRPSchool]

Hey, Bruce. I'll see you in 4 weeks. I'm practically counting the days until FDIM. See you soon - Cliff

[@daimontilley9860]

Nicely done video! Could I suggest that it would be helpful to cover zero beating on older DC receivers, which is of course, different.

[@IdeaPolice47]

Great video Cliff. Very Informative!

[@QRPSchool]

+IdeaPolice47 Thanks for the kind words. - Cliff

[@MauriatOttolink]

Somewhat helpful? SOMEWHAT? Massively helpful!. I'm returning to CW after about 400 years..er well, I do tend to exaggerate a bit... about 50 and you describe EXACTLY my problem with a modern rig. Previously with separates, we had a 'net' control on a home brew TX (CW / AM / or SSB which activated just the vfo with no further stages, just enough to hear it in the separate RX but not to be heard by the other guy unless he was in the next apartment..hi! WE shifted to "zero beat" although even on SSB we didn't actual seek zero flutter. With AM, you would be right inside his pass band anyway..CW near enough to be musically, a slightly different pitch (I AM a muso!) SSB might need a bit of RIT at his end but if you could 'net' whilst he was talking, you could hit his suppressed carrier freq. because he sounded right! Until I read yours, I'd no idea that my generated side-tone during key down should match his received tone or get near enough for him to hear me at HIS chosen side-tone or near enough to be inside his filter unless he was using a super sharpened razor blade as a filter. I'm on my 4th, fancy Icom since I stopped building but I never gleaned that valuable info from the manuals. Shame on Icom or is it shame on me? Now all I gotta do is remove the rust from my code and recover some speed. As I'm still playing concerts, I need also to find the time! Great fun on a gig to call CQ on a clarinet mouthpiece and see who comes back! Promise you that occasionally they DO! Thank you, immensely...73 de G3NBY. OK in QRZ.COM

[@QRPSchool]

Welcome back to CW, Howard! I'm happy that you're a jazz musician. I play piano and love jazz. Russell Ferrante of the YellowJackets is my hero and Bob Mintzer is no slouch, as you surely know. Hope to chat with you sometime... - Cliff

[@jackiegreen9810]

i i was wondering and did'nt understand until i found you thanks that will help me ! 73 N4MJG

[@scronkite]

Thanks for the video Cliff. Nice info!

[@logitech446]

Concise and interesting video, Cliff. Just subscribed! 73, Dom, G0HXZ, QRP with KX3, ANT HB magnetic loop. PS. Great video/info on the 20/40m link dipole too. Cheers, Cliff.

[@QRPSchool]

+logitech446 Thank you, Dom! - Cliff

[@HowardPepper]

Excellent! thanks for sharing this video. I have a KX3 as well, and didn't know about the spot and cwt functions (I guess I should read the manual! :P )

[@matthewahearn4110]

Great job!

[@jdevaud]

Great explanation.

[@brianard3796]

Great video ! what program out there would help an old hams speed on cw ? been away for years ..thanks 73s Brian / K4ARD

[@cliffbatson]

+Brian Ard I wish I had good recommendations for you, Brian. I got my 13wpm general license by using the MFJ-418 Morse Code Tutor. On my android phone, I have several programs for morse code. On my iPhone/iPad I have a program called Koch Trainer. With all of these, I typically just have them generate call signs or random letters and I try to concentrate and copy the code in my head. The more you listen to code at a speed that's slightly too fast for you, the sooner you begin to be able to decode it. There are programs that take a text file an generate audio files for you to listen to. And, my video on Morse Runner might be very helpful to you. I use Morse Runner to help keep my speed up... it's like exercise for your mind. - Cliff

[@n1rbd]

Something that helped my head copy immensely was listening to random QSOs using a WebSDR app on my phone. When I go out for my walks I'll find a couple of ops ragchewing and listen in. Since it wasn't "perfect" Morse Code, I dealt with different fists, QRM, QRN, QSB, QLF, etc. It really helped, listening to real world code. 2 years in and I can ragchew at 25-30 and contest at 35-38. I also have a much easier time dealing with bugs and QLF than some other ops that I know who have been learning using apps and computer aids.

[@brianard3796]

@@n1rbd thanks

[@spqa2004]

This was helpful. Thanks!

[@daviddietrich9449]

Very good explanation of zero-beating. I really wish this video was around when I first got into HF back in 2005. Lots of being off frequency. Thanks for sharing. 😀

[@may2700]

Great video, just wondering, it looks like your using a different key than comes with the kx3, what key is it?

[@QRPSchool]

Jim Fehling Hi, Jim. The key shown is a Begali "Adventure" key with the KX3 adapter. www.i2rtf.com/html/adventure.html This is a nice key. However, the new KX2 key from Elecraft fits the KX3, is very nice, and much cheaper! -Cliff

[@rodw7zrc22]

Excellent! Thanks and 73 Rod w7zrc

[@barkermjb]

Good info. Thanks!

[@mackonrad]

Great video!

[@davidmeale9572]

brilliant tutorial !

[@mrmrlee]

Sorry maybe someone can help my confusion, just learning Morse Code. I have a Yaesu FT-920, which has a dial control for pitch, and another dial for sidetone. So the pitch dial varies the pitch of both my station, and the station I am listening to as well. So how do I actually know their pitch, since I can alter it? Do I just keep my dial in the middle?

[@QRPSchool]

When you're in CW mode, you can use the Pitch control to set the preferred frequency of your sidetone. Adjust it to the frequency that you wish to hear when you're transmitting morse code. When you tune to listen to another station, turning the VFO knob until you hear the other station at the same frequency as your sidetone will assure that you are "zero-beat" with the other station. To help with precise tuning, your radio has a "Spot" button that will generate a reference pitch when you press it. By pressing that button and tuning the other station until the pitch of his morse code matches your reference pitch, you'll be exactly on the same frequency. I hope this helps. - Cliff

[@mrmrlee]

@@QRPSchool Thank you! The spot button of course...just got this rig last week so still learning, studying for my General now!

[@rushjohnson3972]

Super video.....

[@cokifernandez2601]

Gracias!!! Tnx

[@swflKVNC]

Oh, Now I get it, thanks

[@DCM01111986]

Does the LNR MTB3 have a way to hear your current pitch?

[@QRPSchool]

If you press and hold the "Fn" key you'll hear three dits (morse code letter "S") and it will wait one second for you to change the speed of the internal keyer. If you do nothing, it will exit the menu system automatically. This is a quick way to hear the sidetone pitch without transmitting. - Cliff

[@n1rbd]

Zero Beating has it's place, but there are also times when one should NOT zero beat. If i'm working a SPOTA pileup, I personally prefer ops do NOT zero beat me. Everyone ZBing with me makes it hard for me to pick out stations. Much easier if a few ops are offset from my run frequency. I also will offset by 40-50hz when trying to break a pileup, and have been fairly successful in doing so even when running QRP.

[@QRPSchool]

I agree. In a QSO, it's good to be zero-beat with the other station but, a pileup situation is a different animal. As you said, it's very hard to pick out the callsigns of two stations who are on top of each other in a pileup. Thanks for your comment, Richard. - Cliff

[@michaelruther9175]

Good news for those that use CW .

[@wntu4]

This seems to me to be the same thing as syncing the props when you are flying a twin.

[@MauriatOttolink]

Trade Viper Dave...or synching motor Revs.

[@irvingm.baxter9703]

Well done, Cliff!-- Glad to see that you are happily married, and intend to remain faithful to your CHICK! Mack

[@flyboy67109]

You could also use a tuning fork to create a side tone.

[@QRPSchool]

+Lyle Crane True, and thanks for sharing that tip, Lyle! Anyone doing this needs to make sure to get a tuning fork that is close to their sidetone pitch - or plan on changing the sidetone pitch closer to that of the tuning fork. The most common tuning fork is pitched at the "A" above middle "C" - A440. So, 440Hz, which is nearly a perfect 4th down from 600Hz (a fairly standard sidetone pitch).

[@maartenc6099]

Allthough this is an old video. What I have done in the past was to mark my RIT and then just tune zero beat, and put the RIT back to the middle.

[@eminusipi]

Great job! All of your videos are very informative and very well done. I hate those shaky blurry phone videos! Couldn't find that app in the PlayStore but I did find one called "SignalGenerator" (speaker icon on a blue background). It has a very clean interface. I am also going to try Spectrum Analyser which gives a visual indication of the frequencies heard.There is a great website, appcrawlr dot com that compares many apps and sorts by numerous criteria. James

[@322doug]

ok man, you were very helpful a couple weeks ago on helping me decide on rig set up. So this is what I have went with so far, if you see something you think i should maybe change or add please let me know Icom 5150/ and got the bluetooth so i could sync with my tablet , alinco 30 amp PS, Mfj 874 swr meter, and for qrp MFJ 9296. I have not grabbed a auto tuner yet because i really know absolutely nothing about them???

[@QRPSchool]

I'm assuming you mean the Icom 5100A but I don't really know anything about any Icom radio. Looks like a good one, though. You don't mention here what you're using for an antenna. If you have a resonant antenna for the HF bands you wish to work, you don't need a tuner. However, if you plan to use your HF radio on an antenna that isn't resonant and needs a tuner, there are couple of ways to go if you want to buy a commercial product... 1) a portable, QRP tuner like the Elecraft T1 for $160 (assembled) or 2) LDG AT-100 Pro II for $190 that you'd use for your shack (not portable, although it COULD be used for portable if you want to supply it with 12 volts in the field). - Cliff

[@322doug]

+QRP School ok, thanks man, and got the 5100 for and I like the way it interacts with my tablet, and my next will be a HD rig, I am using a 2 meter quarter wave vertical I built firm a you tube video, as far as the QRP rig I was planning on watching and see what u used in your videos lol, I was not sure which meter I would want to use so I got the 9296 because it was a 6 band, and it would give me greater access when I get the next lever license

[@322doug]

+QRP School ok, thanks man, and got the 5100 for and I like the way it interacts with my tablet, and my next will be a HD rig, I am using a 2 meter quarter wave vertical I built firm a you tube video, as far as the QRP rig I was planning on watching and see what u used in your videos lol, I was not sure which meter I would want to use so I got the 9296 because it was a 6 band, and it would give me greater access when I get the next lever license

[@322doug]

+Hammer USN HF rig**

[@jack002tuber]

This is one time being a ham is like tuning a guitar

[@mosteve57]

I have a site that let a new CW go slower cw site?

[@QRPSchool]

I'm sorry. I don't understand what you are asking. Say it again in a different way, if you can. - Cliff

[@joblessalex]

What if your radio has none of that fancy stuff and it's just 3 transistors? You 0 beat it, you'll hear nothing. No offsets.

[@QRPSchool]

Does your circuit contain a Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO)? If not, maybe you could add one? See this article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_frequency_oscillator#:~:text=In%20a%20radio%20receiver%2C%20a,transmissions%20to%20make%20them%20audible.

[@adrianfewster8391]

A lot of CW ops listen up, is that bad practice ?

[@n1rbd]

No, that's called "running split" and is completely separate from this topic.

[@petersorensen9440]

zero-beat is only practical in a controlled setting

[@QRPSchool]

I'm not sure what you mean by "a controlled setting" but zero-beating is always the right thing to do if your radio can tune down to 1 Hz increments. Some radios, like the MTR3B, have less resolution while tuning. With a radio like that, you can get close to zero-beating but you may not be able to zero-beat. It's academic, anyway. Get as close as you can and have fun. - Cliff

[@petersorensen9440]

My standby rig drifts and there is no digital display. It give me a better feel of band conditions. There is a zero-beat button that works in a lab setting. Thanks - Peter

[@PERRLA]

Ah, now I understand. Yes, it's tough to zero-beat a drifting radio! Thanks, Peter - Cliff

[@MauriatOttolink]

No, Not a little bit helpful but a great deal! Thank you. 73 de G3NBY

[@hondaridgelineenduser5934]

The kx3 is a cool radio but way complicated compared to the lnr mountain topper qrp radio for cw