You have an all-mode receiver. It has AF Gain, Squelch controls...

[N8YX]

...and a panel-mounted RF Attenuator switch. It also has an AF DSP which features an auto-notch and SSB, CW Wide and CW Narrow filter bandwidths.

The AF Gain and Squelch controls are single-knob/single-pot types.

You acquire a pair of concentric potentiometers and matching knobs. This gives you the ability to add two more controls to the front panel.

What do you add?

IF shift is out of the question, as the IF filter scheme of the rig precludes it.

This leaves us with:

Tone
RF Gain
IF master gain
Manual notch
BFO pitch

Etc.

I would like to get the thoughts and opinions of the board's tinkerers regarding each of the choices above, plus any more you can come up with.

[mw0uzo]

RF gain, convert RF attenuator to AGC off switch, IF crystal filter bandwidth control using varicaps?

[n0eq]

I'd always want manual RF GAIN. For the remainder,
TONE (Low Pass) and MANUAL NOTCH and/or HI CUT with LOW CUT.

If the coverage extends into VHF/UHF, I'd consider HIGH PASS with
a steep shoulder, to kill audible PL tones. Or make the MAN NOTCH
very narrow and centered down around the PL tone AF area.

If primarily SSB HF, I'd focus more on the notch being around 800Hz.
If I was fond of contesting on 20m (close splatter) I'd
consider HI CUT and LOW CUT instead of notch. Use those two to
achieve a narrow band pass with sharp shoulders.

If I had any pots left over, I'd make a dimmer for some sexy
blue or red panel light LEDs.


Craig 'Lumpy' Lemke
www.n0eq.com (http://www.n0eq.com)

[kb2vxa]

Hmmm, even those who don't know you can see who does sound in the Alpha Hotel Lounge. Definitely manual RF gain control, don't leave home without it. Oh, if you're going to overdo the red and blue gels please turn on the spot so we can see who's on stage.