Duty Cycle; Display And Illumination; Metering - SGC HF SSB User Manual

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The duty cycle refers to the amount of time that the transmitter portion of the

transceiver is operating at peak output. Even when a transceiver is transmitting Morse code,

it is not running at a 100% duty cycle; the transmitter is off the air between every "dot" and

"dash." SSB also operates at a lower duty cycle because the output fluctuates with the voice

audio--the transmitter is only hitting peak output on the voice peaks and is basically off

between words. AM has a much higher duty cycle because the carrier is on constantly and

the audio signal is on as well. The duty cycle ratings are important when the transmitter will be used for long

periods of transmitting, such as for broadcast transmitters.

transceivers. Illumination allows you to see the display in the dark and not be "blind." Displays are very important

in modern radios; some displays are tiny and poorly lit. You need a large well-illuminated display so that you can

use the radio capably in even the worst circumstances. The SG-2000 has strong backlighting and the frequency

readout is one of the largest on the market.

The meters on a transceiver show different aspects of the transmitter's or receiver's operation, such as: the

signal strength of the received signal, the power output of the transmitter, the SWR between the transmitter output

and the antenna, and the voltages or current levels at various locations in the transmitter.

The SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, Washington 98005 USA

DUTY CYCLE

Modern transceivers don't have the frequencies printed out on tuning drums or

slide rules and the functions aren't controlled by knobs and switches, like their early

predecessors. Instead, modern transceivers often have buttons and digital tuning.

The frequency readout as well as all of the functions of the radio appear on the

display of the radio. Thus, it is a must to be able to see the display on modern

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Duty Cycle is the amount

of time the transmitter is

operating at peak output,

and is the percentage

of the Transmit time to

the receive/rest of

a transmitter.

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