To keep bandwidth to a minimum and to make transmissions consistent the upper sideband is used by convention for voice communications on frequencies 14 MHz or higher.

Note: Remember that the HIGHER frequencies (smaller wavelengths) generally use the UPPER sideband. LOWER frequencies (larger wavelengths) generally use the LOWER sideband.

Background info: John Renshaw Carson invented SSB in 1915 (WW1), when the parts needed to make a single sideband radio were much cheaper for LSB at frequencies below 9MHz, and much cheaper for USB at frequencies above 9MHz. 9MHz is the split, and that's why.

So- "Are pre-WW2 SSB radios easy to find? Nein."

Last edited by kd7bbc. Register to edit

Tags: ssb hf operating procedures 20 meters 15 meters 10 meter

To make communications consistent and to keep bandwidths to a minimum, the convention is to use lower sideband (LSB) communications for the longer wavelength (lower frequency) bands at 160, 75, and 40 meters.

Note: Just remember that LOWER frequencies (longer wavelengths) generally use the LOWER sideband, and the HIGHER frequencies (shorter wavelengths) generally use the UPPER sideband.

Background info: John Renshaw Carson invented SSB in 1915 (WW1), when the parts needed to make a single sideband radio were much cheaper for LSB at frequencies below 9MHz, and much cheaper for USB at frequencies above 9MHz. 9MHz is the split, and that's why.

So- "Are pre-WW2 SSB radios easy to find? Nein."

Another trick: 160-, 75-, and 40-meter bands are in decreasing order so "Lower Side Band".

Last edited by rstrecker. Register to edit

Tags: ssb hf 160 meters 75/80 meters 40 meters

Amateur radio operators normally designate either upper or lower sideband for phone communications on a specific band to keep things consistent and to keep bandwidths reasonable. The Upper Sideband (USB) is most commonly used for SSB voice communications in the VHF (very high frequency) and UHF (ultra high frequency) bands.

Note: Just remember that HIGHER frequencies generally use the UPPER sideband, and LOWER frequencies generally use the LOWER sideband.

Memory Aid: John Renshaw Carson invented SSB in 1915 (WW1), when the parts needed to make a single sideband radio were much cheaper for LSB at frequencies below 9MHz, and much cheaper for USB at frequencies above 9MHz. 9MHz is the split, and that's why.

So- "Are pre-WW2 SSB radios easy to find? Nein."

Last edited by kd7bbc. Register to edit

Tags: ssb vhf uhf voice

The 17 and 12 meter bands are some of the higher frequency bands (shorter wavelength) to which general class operators are granted privileges. The convention is to use the Upper Sideband on these frequencies for voice communications.

Note: Just remember that HIGHER frequencies above 10 MHz (< 30m, shorter wavelengths) generally use the UPPER sideband, and LOWER frequencies below 10 MHz (> 30m, longer wavelengths) generally use the LOWER sideband.

Memory Aid: John Renshaw Carson invented SSB in 1915 (WW1), when the parts needed to make a single sideband radio were much cheaper for LSB at frequencies below 9MHz, and much cheaper for USB at frequencies above 9MHz. 9MHz is the split, and that's why.

So- "Are pre-WW1 SSB radios easy to find? Nein."

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Tags: 12 meters 17 meters ssb operating procedures

One of the signal properties that we have to be aware of is signal bandwidth. Single sideband communications are most commonly used on the high frequency amateur bands because they should take up less than 3 kHz of bandwidth.

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Tags: voice hf ssb

Single sideband operations have a number of advantages over other voice communication methods, especially when used for the HF amateur bands. They use much less bandwidth (less than 3 kHz) and they also have a higher power efficiency as the power is directed over a smaller segment of the band.

Hint: Less is more!

Last edited by mpainter1986. Register to edit

Tags: ssb bandwidth transmit power voice phone

Single sideband (SSB) voice mode is often used in voice communications because of its smaller bandwidth and higher power efficiency. The smaller bandwidth is accomplished by only transmitting one sideband of the signal; while the other sideband and the carrier wave are suppressed.

Last edited by ngordon1. Register to edit

Tags: ssb voice phone

You don't need to say "Break", "QRZ" or "CQ" or any other jargon when trying to enter a conversation using voice operations. All you need to do is to listen for a gap in the conversation and then say your call sign during a break between the transmissions from the other stations, so that you can be heard, identified, and invited to join in!

Last edited by gconklin. Register to edit

Tags: operating procedures phone

There are no hard and fast rules from the FCC, however it is current amateur practice to use the lower sideband (LSB) on the 160, 75 and 40 meter bands.

Note: Just remember that LOWER frequencies (longer wavelengths) generally use the LOWER sideband, while HIGHER frequencies (shorter wavelengths) generally use the UPPER sideband.

Background info: John Renshaw Carson invented SSB in 1915 (WW1), when the parts needed to make a single sideband radio were much cheaper for LSB at frequencies below 9MHz, and much cheaper for USB at frequencies above 9MHz. 9MHz is the split, and that's why.

So- "Are pre-WW2 SSB radios easy to find? Nein."

Last edited by kd7bbc. Register to edit

Tags: ssb best practices 160 meters 75/80 meters 40 meters

The advantage of using VOX, or a Voice Operated circuit, is that by simply talking into the microphone, the circuit is opened and you are transmitting. VOX allows for "hands free" operation - you dont have to hit the PTT switch!

Last edited by gconklin. Register to edit

Tags: ssb phone

(C). DX is an abbreviation commonly used in Amateur radion to indicate "distant." So someone who is calling "CQ DX" is looking for a distant station such as outside their own country.

For more info see Wikipedia on: DXing!

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Tags: operating procedures international phone