Tuning an antenna manually without CW?

[KD5ZKI]

Can somebody tell me how to use my manual antenna tuner without using a CW key to get a solid signal for an SWR reading? I'm pretty sure that I can use the PTT in CW mode correct? Or key the mic in a quiet setting in AM? I just don't want to mess up the transmitter! Thanks!

[K8GU]

Just keying the PTT in CW won't give you any RF out.  Keying the PTT in AM will give you a carrier.

[K9MRD]

You can also use RTTY.

[KD5ZKI]

So I can set a frequency, switch from SSB to AM and key the mic and should get a signal that comes out at the rf output that my transmitter is set at? An I correct in assuming I should not speak into the mic during the AM tuning?  I'll be tuning up on 20 meters (14.3). Trying to make sure the antenna is tuned correctly because my ALC meter is acting strange on my FT-840.

[WB6BYU]

Both AM and FM generate a carrier when there is no audio (when you press the mic
button without speaking, assuming a low level of back ground noise.)  AM has an
advantage for tuning because the carrier is typically lower - 25% to 40% of the
rated output power vs. 100% for FM.  (But you want to turn the output power down
in either case before adjusting the tuner.)

Switching to transmit in RTTY mode probably generates a carrier signal, though not
all rigs offer this option.

Any sort of switch can be plugged into the key jack to generate a signal on CW - it
doesn't have to be an actual telegraph key.

Or, if you want to leave the rig in SSB mode, you can build a small audio oscillator
or other sound source feeding into the mic jack (or an external input elsewhere on
the rig.)  This has the advantage that you can adjust the output power by varying
the level of the oscillator signal rather than playing with the output power settings
on the rig.

Once you get familiar with the tuner and have the approximate settings for each
band marked on the face, you will probably find that you only need to adjust one
knob to touch up the settings - I've done that by just blowing into the mic to
generate enough output.

[KD5ZKI]

Let me be crazy here. I have an app on my phone that is a CW practice type thing. It produces a sound and the tone is adjustable. Could I go out of my phone headphone jack into a 1/4 out into the mic input on the transmitter?

[AE4RV]

Let me be crazy here. I have an app on my phone that is a CW practice type thing. It produces a sound and the tone is adjustable. Could I go out of my phone headphone jack into a 1/4 out into the mic input on the transmitter?

Could you connect ear buds directly to a microphone and expect to hear anything through them?

The levels are all wrong, don't do it.

[K2DC]

Don't do it.  There is a good possibility that the headphone output from your phone is way too high a level for the MIC input of the rig, and could cause damage to the rig.  When I use my manual tuner I always turn the power output down to around 10W, switch the rig to RTTY and key it.  That gives me a constant unmodulated low power output to adjust the tuner.

73,

Don, K2DC

[KD5ZKI]

That's true. Also, I guess there would be no way to actually "key" to transmit. Not to mention what would happen if someone called!!!!!! BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!

[G0GQK]

Only use about 5 watts when you're tuning and when its done make a note of the settings... then next time you won't have to do it, it will be already tuned.

Mel G0GQK

[K8AC]

How about setting the tuner without putting a signal on the air? 

1. Use a noise bridge, like the Palomar Tuner Tuner, switching in and out of the feed to the tuner

2. Use an antenna analyzer to set the tuner and record the settings so you can go back to them as required.

[VA7CPC]

If you're on 14.300 (which is a marine service net frequency -- please tune to 14.297 or lower), using SSB is perfectly legitimate.

I think the FT-840 has an "RF POWER" knob.  Turn it down to 25 watts, pick up the mic in SSB mode, and say "Ahhhhhh" loudly enough to make the ALC meter move off 0.

That will give a reasonably-constant 25 watt signal for the tuner.

If there's no RF POWER knob, the "AM mode" suggestion is the one I'd choose.

          Charles

[KD6KWZ]

Not to mention what would happen if someone called!!!!!! BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!

Constant RF carrier with the actual code from a tone generator has been done before. Some Hams have done this by placing the keyed tone generator speaker in front of a mic. But, an old QST I saw warned Novices that other people talking, coughing, & dishes rattling in the background were not allowed telephony for them! 

They suggested direct electrical connection, or at least a sound proof box for the mic & tone generator speaker.

Myself, I have a RS HTX-10, without CW, & a manual antenna tuner. So, I asked about this subject before, and got the suggestion to go slightly off frequency, tune the antenna in AM with the mic gain all the way down (to avoid antics like mentioned above), & go back to where I was.

[K7KBN]

So I can set a frequency, switch from SSB to AM and key the mic and should get a signal that comes out at the rf output that my transmitter is set at? An I correct in assuming I should not speak into the mic during the AM tuning?  I'll be tuning up on 20 meters (14.3). Trying to make sure the antenna is tuned correctly because my ALC meter is acting strange on my FT-840.

Got a dummy load?  This is a perfect application for it.

[K2DC]

Just curious, but why are you tuning on 20M?  With a Technician Class license, you have no priveledges there even if it's just to tune an antenna.

73,

Don, K2DC