Stereo-SSB: Turns out There's More To It

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've been playing with stereo audio for many years; Stereo-CW (and even Stereo-RTTY)
is a Given, a no-Brainer.  While I've written extensively on the Stereo-Cw concept ([CLICK HERE]), there seemed to have been fewer ideas/uses for Stereo-Ssb - until this last weekend's ARRL
10-meter mixed-mode contest.

• [X] - How Stereo-Cw becomes Stereo-Ssb
  
• [X] - Stereo Ssb: It's STILL Easier than you Think
• [X] - Stereo-RTTY: Is It Possible? (What can We Do with it?)
• [X] - Stereo-RTTY: How can We Leverage It
   

As always, using Stereo-Cw revolutionizes Cw-mode contesting. 
Because the ARRL-10 GiG is a worldwide contest different accents and dialects
make Ssb copy tricky, at best; nearly impossible, at worst.  This is where Stereo-SSB
comes to the rescue.

As I write this, the ARRL contest is over.  In its place, I am listening to QSOs in the 75-meter
DX Window using the K3FEF Web SDR.

I mentioned in a previous Blog that the Aux. Notch Freq. knob on each QF-1A unit offers the
ability to notch-out a specific "SPRITZ" inside of the peaked passband for each Left/Right ear.  

While the FT-2000 is equipped with an effective IF-based dual manual notch facility, when receiving split-VFO audio, those notch filters (as well as the ANF auto-notch) only apply to signals in the left ear.  It is for this reason that a Rockville mixer box has been implemented, offering up the ability to "patch-in" the NIR-10 & NIR-12 DSP units for the right ear, somewhat equivalent to the DSP facilities built-in to the FT-2000 and the older FT-1000mp.

A major secret to making Stereo-SSB effective is to adjust both filters to emphasize each ear properly.
Then, using the RIT control, individual calling stations can be more-or-less "centered" in the audio passband.

Have you ever played around with the concept of Stereo-SSB?
If SO, what kind of results DiD you get?
IF NoT, WHY Knot?