SSB in Radiosport: LEARNING the ART of HoW to Listen

It is no secret that in radiosport I prefer CW contests 1st, RTTY contests 2nd and Ssb contests
a distant 3rd.  I have previously written about what makes Cw contests my favorite ([CLICK HERE]
to read about this).  With CW/RTTY contests, speaking dialects are NoT a problem - we use limited variations on English to get the message thru.  (The use of Q-Codes makes a HUGE difference.)

While it is true that Crappy Cw and off-frequency RTTY signals can make for tricky copy, RTTY signals can be tuned in using the R-I-T (Clarifier) control, and we can ask for repeats on Cw until
we get it right.  With Ssb (voice), in DX contests, repeats are all too often necessary. 
As I mentioned in the write-up on the ARRL DX Ssb contest ([CLICK HERE] to read that),

Non-English-speaking stations often think they heard me say:

• WQ4X - Whiskey Quebec Four Xray - HuH? - How does SIX become FOUR?
• Whiskey Quebec Six Foxtrot - HuH? - How does XRAY become FOXTROT?

I would then say "California - Charlie Alpha" - transl. "Charlie Alpha" is in the SIXTH (6th)
call area.  In retrospect, I should have used several of the pre-recorded .WAV files to say
my callsign in four different ways. As they say - maybe next time.

Things to do for an improved Ssb radiosport operating experience include:
For RECEIVE

• Leverage the filter systems built-in to the radio itself.
  Example: the FT-1000mp and FT-2000 transceivers I use are equipped with
  some form of a CONTOUR facility (the FT-2000 Contour control is linearly-variable)
  
  
  
  
• Implement external audio filters to contour the audio passband to improve the listening experience.
• I utilize a pair of audio mixers:
  - A USB powered unit for processing 1/8" cables to blend the input.
  - A Rockville 4-channel stereo unit supporting RCA cables.
  
  
  
• The Rockville unit combines audio from a number of different filter units:
  - A pair of Autek QF-1a units to run Stereo-Cw and Stereo-RTTY
  These filters are front ended by a Radio Shaft 16-band Stereo Equalizer
  - A pair of MFJ 752 "Signal Enhancer" units for Stereo-Ssb
  
  
  
• An MFJ-783 Super DSP filter to supplement Ssb audio in the left channel.
• A JPS NIR-10 cascaded into an NIR-12 to supplement filtering in the right channel.

For many operators the above layout may seem daunting.  In fact, once a "sweet spot" is found,
these settings can then be left for future operations.  Altho I don't use one, you might find it useful
to create an audio filter "cheat sheet" to record the ideal settings for each approach used, similar to the way we do with manually adjusted antenna tuners.

I am a hopeless knob twiddler, living under the probably delusional illusion that proper knob
twiddling can make a hopelessly unreadable signal to become readable.

It's one thing to improve Ssb reception to reduce the number of repeats.  However, if the quality
of your Ssb audio is questionable, repeats will still be necessary.  Once we have the receive-side of the equation worked out, next up is to optimize the transmit side of the operation; first mic filter wise, followed by perfecting how we actually use the hardwire to get our vocal communication thru.

The choice of microphone(s) makes all the difference.  Using a simply 4-port switch box
the following can be switched into the transmit audio line:

• A $13 Ebay-special full frequency microphone
• A Heil PRO-set
• A Radio Shaft stereo microphone (intended for reel-to-reel tape recorders)
• RTTY transmit audio from the laptop sound card

While many of the newer design transceivers come equipped with (usually menu driven) equalizer capabilities, we can front-end older transmitters and transceivers with equalizers similar (if not identical) to the ones we use on receive.  Different microphones offer different frequency response curves and output levels; a stereo equalizer can be set for two different microphones (or audio sources).

Using an audio switch box or audio mixing unit to select the microphone appropriate to the operation at that time (Ex: ragchewing, net control work or contest running).  

Of course, the efficacy of proper equalization can easily be undermined by having the mic gain and/or speech processor settings set exceedingly high.

To gain certainty on how our transmit audio sounds, listen to the audio via
the MONI circuit built-in to many transceivers. 

However, if "distortion products" enter the PA amp after the Moni circuits, the only accurate way
 to know that is an external receiver (w/the RF gain turned down to prevent front-end overload distortion). 

Another approach is to listen to your signal by way of a webSDR that can hear the signal at a decent level.  Many SDR's sport "waterfall" spectrum displays offering a visual representation of signal quality.  Additionally, many SDRs support signal recording for replay and analysis later.

The final step in perfecting Ssb audio is to rehearse/practice what you will be saying in advance of
the contest event.  While you're at it, recording .WAV/.MP3 files will not only save your voice later,
it will capture and repeat perfect pronunciation (when you eventually do get it right).

As you can see, successful listening isn't JUST about listening - there are many factors involved.

Do YOU run Ssb radiosport contests?

What do YOU use to improve audio continuity?