Tag: operating
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FTX-1 Care and Feeding: Cooling, Cleaning, and Long-Term Reliability
Basic maintenance habits that keep the FTX-1 and SPA-1 running reliably after heavy field and shack use.
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Common FTX-1 Problems and How I’ve Solved Them
The actual problems I’ve run into with the FTX-1 across field and shack use, and what fixed each one.
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Using the FTX-1’s Spectrum Scope to Find Openings Faster
How I actually use the FTX-1’s 3DSS spectrum display to find band openings and activity instead of just tuning around blind.
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FTX-1 Audio Settings for Cleaner SSB: Mic Gain, Compression, and EQ
How I dialed in mic gain, compression, and EQ on the FTX-1 for SSB audio that gets unsolicited compliments instead of complaints.
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Getting the Most from the FTX-1’s Internal Antenna Tuner
How the FTX-1’s automatic tuner actually behaves, what it can and can’t fix, and how I get the fastest, cleanest matches out of it.
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Working DX Pileups and Split Operation on the FTX-1
How to set up and work split on the FTX-1, and the pileup habits that actually get you through faster.
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FTX-1 Menu Deep Dive: Settings Worth Changing from Factory Default
The FTX-1 menu settings I changed out of the box, and why the factory defaults don’t fit most real operating situations.
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Docking the Field Head to the SPA-1: Building Your Optima Base Station
What actually happens when you dock the Field Head to the SPA-1 amplifier, and what to check before you leave it running as your base station.
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Chameleon Antennas: My Honest Thoughts After Spending Thousands of Dollars
I’ve spent thousands on Chameleon gear. Here’s my honest take on efficiency, price, and whether it’s worth it for portable HF.
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GMRS Repeater Etiquette: Courtesy Tones, Timeouts, and Not Being That Guy
No exam means no built-in etiquette lesson. Here’s the unwritten rulebook for using GMRS repeaters well, from courtesy tones to knowing when to yield.
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The CaHR Hydra: From Backyard Tests to a Mountain Overnight
It performed well in the backyard as a dipole and a vertical, but it wasn’t until an overnight mountain trip that this antenna really won me over.
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Why Filter Width Matters, and Good Starting Points for SSB and Digital Modes
The IF filter is one of the most underused controls on a modern radio. Here is what it actually does, and where to set it for SSB, CW, and digital modes.
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