2 meter SSB?

[hmfigueroa]

OK, we can try to set something up. I need to see what time I can find to get something going. Maybe thursday after the regular net, or Saturday morning.

[DaveK]

Hector:

Its worth a try. We will not have another net though until January. So.................... if your want to give it a try before, post the time and frequency. USB, LSB??

Let's see who else might be interested.

Also, as we discussed, we may have an issue with antenna polarization which we will need to address.

[sdnative]

Does to 8800 support SSB? I think it's just FM.

[DaveK]

Does to 8800 support SSB? I think it's just FM.

Unfortunately no, it does not have SSB capability.

[taugust]

I also have an 857 in the Tacoma, but a vertical antenna only. I will be watching to see how this goes. I have no experience with SSB.

[hmfigueroa]

OK, we will give it a try.

SSB Basics
All Ham SSB 20 meters and above is upper sideband

For all intents and purposes, in SSB your voice is what provides the power of your signal. It is important to have a good audio signal into your microphone, you want to have a good signal without being too soft nor too loud. If your rig has audio processing do not set it too high, the end effect of a processor set too high is a splattering signal that is difficult to hear and dirty on the band.

Antenna polarization is horizontally polarized in SSB work, you can work SSB with your standard vertical antenna that you usually use, but it comes at a loss.

The 2M USB frequencies are from 144.100 to 144.275. It is important to remember the bottom portion of the band plan is reserved for QRP (weak signal) or DX conversations. Please try to keep away from these frequencies when operating unless you are working DX or QRP.

The general calling frequency is 144.200 again the mode will be upper sideband. When conditions are right and someone is transmitting you will hear voices coming out of the noise it will sound similar to the radio chatter in Star Wars or Latest series of Battlestar Galactica adjust your reciever to create the audio you can understand the best. Once you establish a contact you should move up the band, between 144.200-144.275

SSB operating is different than that of a repeater you may not hear everyone in the converstation. It is best to listen for a few minutes before transmitting. It is also a good idea to keep your transmissions short until you have an idea as to the location of all participants in the conversation are located.

If the band is quiet, then by all means, call like a madman. The biggest issue with SSB operating is that it is not used enough. The more you call the more likely you are to make a contact.

That being said all interested in an SSB net, please let me know where you are located and a Date / Time for the net. This will not be anything really structured, more of just a way to learn how to use your radio well.

[cruiserlarry]

Does to 8800 support SSB? I think it's just FM.

Most mobile vhf/uhf radios support FM only. A lot of the newer HF rigs support vhf/uhf, and these generally work all mode including SSB.

[DaveK]

Hector:

Let's just try out some contacts first to see if we can make the trip. Since we will be simplex, we may have some issues for those us separated by many miles and hills. Monday or Tuesday work for me.

[hmfigueroa]

Hector:

Let's just try out come contacts first to see if we can make the trip. Since we will be simplex, we may have some issues for those us separated by many miles and hills. Monday or Tuesday work for me.

OK I am game, I can listen on my way home from work today Tuesday between 5:30 6:15 and
possibly after my net on Sunset
| | | |
V V V V look at the sig for information on that.

Let me know what works

[hmfigueroa]

Dave and I got on the air after my net on Tuesday night.

It was not badfor a largely unplanned effort. We met on 144.200 USB I was at home in Covina, He was in a parking lot getting ready to stimulate the economy. Towards the end of our QSO N6CAT or K6CAT i forget joined usas well. He was in Huntington beach. He said he heard me fine, but Dave not so much.

Dave had to finish up shopping so he ducked out. After I had another QSO with WA6T who happened to take an old radio and put it on the air.

Dave was going to put a post on his observations, and distance computations.

It was a lot of fun!