"Anonymous" wrote in message
...

Where can a newbie go to ask questions like "why do CW rigs have RIT,
is it common for there to be a frequency offset between the two
operators in a CW QSO or what" and so forth. I live in a rural area and
don't think I will be able to blend in with the local ham club. Is
there some nook of the internet where newbie Q&A is welcome?

--
-30-

This group is for antennas - so suggest you use
rec.radio.amateur.equipment news group.

News groups for Ham radio and their useage are listed at URL:
http://ac6v.com/newsgroups.htm

To answer your question about RIT useage on CW

RIT. Receiver Incremental Tuning (Clarifier on some rigs) allows you to
receive slightly above or below your transmit frequency. For DXing, it is
typically used for CW split pileups - set your main dial to 2 to 5 kHz up
from the DX station and use RIT to hear the DX station. This allows the DX
station to spread out the callers and prevents chaos on the DX frequency.



If an SSB DX station is operating with a small split, the RIT range may
allow you to use RIT to achieve the split. RIT typically covers +/- 5 kHz or
+/- 10 kHz and is frequently used for CW split operating, but not often in
an SSB split operation.



Another use for RIT is when you wish to transmit on a given frequency and
the station you are receiving is off frequency or drifts away or starts
chasing you by retuning as you tune on them. Rather than change the main
tuning dial (thus your transmit frequency) use RIT. The Main Tuning dial
determines the transmit frequency and the RIT determines the receive
frequency.



There are several good books that will explain DXing, operating, and
transceiver controls-- use google to search for Amateur Radio DX Books



Good Luck -- see you at rec.radio.amateur.equipment

Lamont