HamSandwich

Ham radio: the hobby that requires homework.

Study › General › G2A › G2A12

G2A12

OPERATING PROCEDURES · - Phone operating procedures: USB/LSB conventions, breaking into a contact, transmitter setup for voice operation; answering DX stations

G2A12G2A →

What control is typically adjusted for proper ALC setting on a single sideband transceiver?

  1. ARF clipping level
  2. BTransmit audio or microphone gain
  3. CAntenna inductance or capacitance
  4. DAttenuator level
Why ALC (automatic level control) monitors the transmitter's drive level and pulls back gain when the audio drives the final stage beyond its linear range. Since the audio chain is what sets that drive, you set ALC action by adjusting the microphone or transmit audio gain until the ALC meter just barely flicks into its indicated range on voice peaks. Too much gain produces flat-topping, splatter into adjacent frequencies, and distorted audio, while too little gives weak talk power.
Watch out RF clipping or speech processing changes the average-to-peak ratio of the audio for more punch, but it is a separate control from the gain that sets ALC; the attenuator only affects the receiver front end, and antenna tuning controls match impedance, not drive level.
ALC watches your voice: turn the mic gain up only until ALC just tickles, no more.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
← G2A11 All of G2A

The rest of G2A

  1. G2A01 Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on frequencies of 14 MHz or higher?
  2. G2A02 Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
  3. G2A03 Which mode is most commonly used for SSB voice communications in the VHF and UHF bands?
  4. G2A04 Which mode is most commonly used for voice communications on the 17- and 12-meter bands?
  5. G2A05 Which mode of voice communication is most commonly used on the HF amateur bands?
  6. G2A06 Which of the following is an advantage of using single sideband, as compared to other analog voice modes on t…
  7. G2A07 Which of the following statements is true of single sideband (SSB)?
  8. G2A08 What is the recommended way to break into a phone contact?
  9. G2A09 Why do most amateur stations use lower sideband on the 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands?
  10. G2A10 Which of the following statements is true of VOX operation versus PTT operation?
  11. G2A11 Generally, who should respond to a station in the contiguous 48 states calling "CQ DX"?
  12. G2A12 What control is typically adjusted for proper ALC setting on a single sideband transceiver?
ARRL Ham Radio License ManualSponsored · View on Amazon →MFJ-259D HF/VHF Antenna AnalyzerSponsored · View on Amazon →