1. Tune in where the DX station seems to be transmitting. If I listen for two seconds and don't hear his call I immediately send "di-di-dah-dah-di-dit" - just kidding! Listen to his instructions to identify where he's listening. 2. Press the CHANGE button long enough to set both VFOs to the same frequency. 3. Tune to where the DX station said he planned to be listening. The general freq where he/she is listening should be pretty obvious. It'll be the freq where all hell seems to be breaking loose. 4. Push CHANGE to go back to the DX station. Your transmit freq is now set to where the DX station is listening and your receive freq is on the DX station's transmit freq. 5. When the DX station calls out letters and numbers that don't begin to match your call, (a) don't transmit again! and (b) push CHANGE quickly and tune to see if you can tell where the station is he's currently working. 6. If you get lucky and hear the guy, wait for him to finish his call, then quickly push CHANGE again to go back to the DX transmit freq and listen for his next QRZ. Nowhere in these steps do I utilize the BAL or DW controls, yet I'm doing the same thing you guys say you're doing, but my way just has to be faster cuz I'm not monkeying with the other knobs! Unless the DX station listens on one and only one freq, you have to do everything I'm doing PLUS fiddle with a couple more controls. My point is, I don't understand why these other functions (DW/BAL) can be considered so vital. Art - K4IRS --- In ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com, Adam Farson wrote: > > Hi Art, > > Pressing the [MAIN/SUB] key will switch the tuning knob from the Main (A) to > the Sub (B) VFO. (User manual, p.8.) Pressing the [CHANGE] key will swap the > transmit and receive frequencies, and cause you to transmit on top of the > distant station. > > As we say in our family, "so simpy, it's a wimpy." > > Cheers for now, 73, > Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ ===================================================================== Agreed. You push the CHANGE button long enough to set both VFOs to the same frequency. Then, after tuning to the pileup, pushing CHANGE gets you quickly back to the DX station's transmit freq. Then, of course, you engage SPLIT. Each time the DX station calls someone else, you push CHANGE and tune around the pileup to see where the DX station is currently listening. Then CHANGE to go back to the DX transmit freq. No fussing with the BAL/DW! Now if the DX station is listening ON A SINGLE FREQ!, the DW/BAL will work very well. But not when the pileup is 5 kHz (or more) wide! Art - K4IRS ====================================================================== >Nowhere in these steps do I utilize the BAL or DW controls, yet I'm doing >the same thing you guys say you're doing, but my way just has to be >faster cuz I'm not monkeying with the other knobs! > >Unless the DX station listens on one and only one freq, you have to do >everything I'm doing PLUS fiddle with a couple more controls. > >My point is, I don't understand why these other functions (DW/BAL) >can be considered so vital. > >Art - K4IRS So, you are pushing the change button and tuning the main knob. Using DW, I am just tuning the main knob. Seems like less effort. I can hear the DX station come back. I am set up for split, sub band selected for tuning, dual watch on. I tune the sub band with main knob to find the DX station. I have an MP3 file working 3Y0X on 20M CW that I made using this technique. Took less than 30 seconds to get the radio on 20M, find the calling station and tail him after his QSO. I admit, I was a bit lucky to find the calling station that fast, but hearing the DX station at the same time, allows me to stop tuning when he is transmitting. That way, I can make better use of my scanning. ========================================================================== I'm still missing something. The Pro III only has ONE tuning knob, so I'm turning the same knob you're turning. Where's the ergonomic savings???? Art - K4IRS --- In ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com, Ed K1EP wrote: > > At 3/4/2006 08:58 AM, you wrote: > > > >Nowhere in these steps do I utilize the BAL or DW controls, yet I'm > >doing the same thing you guys say you're doing, but my way just has > >to be faster cuz I'm not monkeying with the other knobs! > > > >Unless the DX station listens on one and only one freq, you have to > >do everything I'm doing PLUS fiddle with a couple more controls. > > > >My point is, I don't understand why these other functions (DW/BAL) > >can be considered so vital. > > > >Art - K4IRS > > So, you are pushing the change button and tuning the main knob. Using DW, I am just tuning the main knob. Seems like less effort. I can hear the DX station come back. I am set up for split, sub band selected for tuning, dual watch on. I tune the sub band with main knob to find the DX station. I have an MP3 file working 3Y0X on 20M CW that I made using this technique. Took less than 30 seconds to get the radio on 20M, find the calling station and tail him after his QSO. I admit, I was a bit lucky to find the calling station that fast, but hearing the DX station at the same time, allows me to stop tuning when he is transmitting. That way, I can make better use of my scanning. > ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2006 09:50:17 -0600 From: "Jay Bromley" Subject: Re: Pro III Dual Watch Adam some day we need to get you back down here in the states and get you some aluminum up in the air. I am sure we could round up a good crew to do it. Yes I am very fortunate on many fronts! 73 de jay.. ============================================================================ Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2006 10:53:31 -0500 From: "Ted Bryant" Subject: RE: Re: PRO III Roofing Filter/dual watch This will work...it's basically the same way my Icom 765 did "split" operation. But with this method as Adam pointed out, if you are not very careful, you'll end up transmitting on the DX station's frequency. "...My point is, I don't understand why these other functions (DW/BAL) can be considered so vital..." Ok, here's one reason.. Using the CHANGE button, timing is very critical. If you don't quickly find the station the DX is working, he could be into the next QSO by the time you hit CHANGE and you'll have to wait even longer to hear the following QSO and identify the station he's working. So, if you're out of sync, you'd only have a chance to find a station in the pileup and call the DX about every third QSO. By taking advantage of the DualWatch feature and adjusting the pileup volume to your liking with the Bal control, you keep the TX frequency on the pileup while tuning for the station being worked and can better time your calls as you're constantly listening to the DX station's frequency. But...each to his own... 73 es GL in the DX test, Ted W4NZ -----Original Message----- From: ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Art Burke Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 8:59 AM To: ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com Subject: [ic756pro3] Re: PRO III Roofing Filter/dual watch I didn't object to pressing the CHANGE button! 1. Tune in where the DX station seems to be transmitting. If I listen for two seconds and don't hear his call I immediately send "di-di-dah-dah-di-dit" - just kidding! Listen to his instructions to identify where he's listening. 2. Press the CHANGE button long enough to set both VFOs to the same frequency. 3. Tune to where the DX station said he planned to be listening. The general freq where he/she is listening should be pretty obvious. It'll be the freq where all hell seems to be breaking loose. 4. Push CHANGE to go back to the DX station. Your transmit freq is now set to where the DX station is listening and your receive freq is on the DX station's transmit freq. 5. When the DX station calls out letters and numbers that don't begin to match your call, (a) don't transmit again! and (b) push CHANGE quickly and tune to see if you can tell where the station is he's currently working. 6. If you get lucky and hear the guy, wait for him to finish his call, then quickly push CHANGE again to go back to the DX transmit freq and listen for his next QRZ. Nowhere in these steps do I utilize the BAL or DW controls, yet I'm doing the same thing you guys say you're doing, but my way just has to be faster cuz I'm not monkeying with the other knobs! Unless the DX station listens on one and only one freq, you have to do everything I'm doing PLUS fiddle with a couple more controls. My point is, I don't understand why these other functions (DW/BAL) can be considered so vital. Art - K4IRS --- In ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com, Adam Farson wrote: > > Hi Art, > > Pressing the [MAIN/SUB] key will switch the tuning knob from the Main (A) to > the Sub (B) VFO. (User manual, p.8.) Pressing the [CHANGE] key will swap the > transmit and receive frequencies, and cause you to transmit on top of the > distant station. > > As we say in our family, "so simpy, it's a wimpy." > > Cheers for now, 73, > Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ ======================================================================= Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2006 16:12:31 -0000 From: "Art Burke" Subject: Bright Light In Florida (Was Dual Watch etc.) The bright light you may see emanating from central Florida is the dawning of recognition from K4IRS! My apologies to anyone I offended, insulted, POed, or just generally upset! I finally get it! I wrote my "epistles" whining about why everyone didn't see it my way, logged off and headed for the shower. I guess our best thinking *does* sometimes come in the shower! My tuning technique is the old-style, what someone has to do who doesn't have Dual Watch. It finally dawned on me that if I tune my listening VFO to the pileup, I can "monitor" the DX on his frequency while tuning around in the pileup!! Eureka! Now I'm in the mode where I don't have to keep hitting the CHANGE button to swap VFOs and listen/tune to the pileup! I used to think I had a keen sense for the obvious. Maybe not! At least I learned something new without getting beat up! LOL! Art - K4IRS ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2006 09:35:05 -0800 From: Adam Farson Subject: RE: Re: PRO III dual watch Hi Art and all, It is hoped that the following article, which describes the Dual Watch architecture, will clarify DW usage a little. http://www.qsl.net/ab4oj/icom/dw.html The whole point of DW is to allow the operator to listen simultaneously to two signals in the same band* and mode. Pressing the [MAIN/SUB] key toggles the main tuning knob between the Main (A) and Sub (B) LO's. *Main could be on 20m, and Sub on 17m (for example), with some sensitivity degradation on Sub. DW combined with Split permits the operator to monitor the receive and transmit frequencies simultaneously. Note that the spectrum scope will always display Main, as its input signal is picked off the A 1st IF. Cheers for now, 73, Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ ============================================================================ Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2006 12:37:38 -0500 From: "Weymouth Walker" Subject: Re: Dual Watch controversy ... Adam ... I have not yet used DUAL WATCH ... I work split by using the XFC button ... it requires dexterity ... I managed to work 3Y0X on 4 different bands with 100w and a dipole using the XFC method ... my question to you is ... How do you recommend using DUAL WATCH to work DX stations that are working split? I always find your posts interesting and informative ... thanks! Very 73, Weymouth Walker (Wey) ... K8EAB Metro Atlanta, GA ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2006 09:50:35 -0800 From: Adam Farson Subject: RE: Dual Watch controversy ... Hi Wey, Many thanks for the kind comments. Such encouragement always makes me feel that my efforts are worth while. Here is a procedure you can use: 1. Tune Main to the distant station's transmit frequency, and Sub to his listening frequency; toggle the main tuning knob with [MAIN/SUB]. 2. Press [SPLIT]. 3. Press [DUAL WATCH]. You will now be able to monitor both frequencies. 4. Adjust [BAL] for desired level balance between Main and Sub. I missed 3Y0X. (No regrets, though.) Too much other "stuff" going on. Cheers for now, 73, Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ ==================================================================== Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2006 10:44:14 -0800 From: "Frank LaFranco" Subject: Re: Dual Watch controversy ... Hello All, Adam's procedure (below) is exactly how I use Dual Watch in Split operation. The only other thing I would add is to make sure you have the TX Marker scope function turned on. Then when looking at the scope, you will have the DX Stations transmit freq displayed on the center line of the scope and your split transmit freq will be clearly shown down (or up) the band by a moving RED Line. In the case of 3Y0X who was listening up 5 to 10 KHz, I set the Scope Span to +/- 12.5 KHz so I could clearly see my offset transmit freq along with the other stations calling. I also prefer setting the Dual Watch Balance control so the DX station is full audio volume and the calling stations are 1/4 to 1/2 volume. Using the procedure Adam describes below allows full flexibility without any button pushing between transmit and receive. 73, Frank - W6NEK ----- Original Message ----- From: Adam Farson To: ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 9:50 AM Subject: RE: [ic756pro3] Dual Watch controversy ... Hi Wey, Many thanks for the kind comments. Such encouragement always makes me feel that my efforts are worth while. Here is a procedure you can use: 1. Tune Main to the distant station's transmit frequency, and Sub to his listening frequency; toggle the main tuning knob with [MAIN/SUB]. 2. Press [SPLIT]. 3. Press [DUAL WATCH]. You will now be able to monitor both frequencies. 4. Adjust [BAL] for desired level balance between Main and Sub. I missed 3Y0X. (No regrets, though.) Too much other "stuff" going on. Cheers for now, 73, Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2006 11:58:05 -0800 From: "AA6DX - Mark" Subject: Split on 4ØM - ARRL DX Contest Hello ... in line with the previous discussions on working DX using SPLIT CHANGE MAIN/SUB DUAL WATCH etc... Whilst "hunting & pouncing" on 4ØM SSB, to work the CQing stations I use SPLIT and CHANGE ... B U - I change the TS on the xmt, as 95% of DX stations denote they are listening "up" on a whole-number fq ... really speeds the tuning to the calling fq ... anybody doing something different? 73 Mark AA6DX Eureka, FAR Northern California ============================================================================= Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2006 15:57:47 -0500 From: David Shrader Subject: Re: Re: PRO III Roofing Filter/dual watch It works for sure. But, there's always a but, in Dual Watch I hear BOTH stations at the same time and KNOW for SURE when and where the DX is listening/working. ============================================================================ Date: Sun, 05 Mar 2006 09:59:02 -0800 From: Adam Farson Subject: RE: Dual Watch controversy ... Hi Gary, The Main and Sub frequencies need to be in the same mode, as the IF chain and DSP are shared. They can be in two different bands; however, as the A frequency selects the RF BPF, the sensitivity on B will be degraded. The degradation will be more severe with greater separation between Main and Sub. Cheers for now, 73, Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ =========================================================================== Date: Sun, 05 Mar 2006 10:13:40 -0800 From: Adam Farson Subject: RE: Dual Watch controversy ... Hi Frank, Thanks for mentioning the TX Marker. It is an excellent adjunct to Split operation, with or without DW activated. Cheers for now, 73, Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ -----Original Message----- From: ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Frank LaFranco Sent: 04 March 2006 10:44 To: ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [ic756pro3] Dual Watch controversy ... Hello All, Adam's procedure (below) is exactly how I use Dual Watch in Split operation. The only other thing I would add is to make sure you have the TX Marker scope function turned on. Then when looking at the scope, you will have the DX Stations transmit freq displayed on the center line of the scope and your split transmit freq will be clearly shown down (or up) the band by a moving RED Line. In the case of 3Y0X who was listening up 5 to 10 KHz, I set the Scope Span to +/- 12.5 KHz so I could clearly see my offset transmit freq along with the other stations calling. I also prefer setting the Dual Watch Balance control so the DX station is full audio volume and the calling stations are 1/4 to 1/2 volume. Using the procedure Adam describes below allows full flexibility without any button pushing between transmit and receive. 73, Frank - W6NEK ========================================================================== Date: Sun, 05 Mar 2006 19:51:22 -0000 From: "Art Burke" Subject: Re: PRO III Roofing Filter/dual watch I respect your opinion and your posts. Your original post was correct. At the time, I truly didn't understand how I was supposed to be using the D/W feature. Once I finally understood, it is indeed much simpler - once the DX station and the pileup are "set" with the MAIN and SUB (I've got to stop using the VFO A and VFO B term!) VFO, you're only tuning the pileup while hearing both of them constantly - my old way required lots of CHANGE button usage! Just cuz I figured this one out (finally!), don't hold your breath on me getting any smarter! Art - K4IRS --- In ic756pro3@yahoogroups.com, David Shrader wrote: > > It works for sure. But, there's always a but, in Dual Watch I hear BOTH > stations at the same time and KNOW for SURE when and where the DX is > listening/working. > > Art Burke wrote: > > My point is if you skip 1/2 of step 3, skip step 4 and focus on step > > 5, you're doing exactly the same thing. You don't have to fuss with > > the BAL control and you're doing exactly the same thing! Art - K4IRS ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2006 14:46:36 -0600 From: Subject: Re: Re: PRO III Roofing Filter/dual watch Hi Art-- Not sure I understand. If you wait until the DX says "QRZ" and immediately call because you now have the dual watch all to the DX, what's not to like?? And don't forget the DX is listening up ( you found him with the dual watch ), moving all the time. Andy K5VM ===========================================================================