IC-R20 Receiving: Squelch, Attenuator, RF Gain & Locks

Summary: How to set the IC-R20’s volume, squelch, monitor, attenuator and RF gain, and how to use the lock and dial assignment.

Volume

Rotate [L-DIAL] or push the UP/DOWN keys (hold for continuous change). There are 39 levels; the display shows the level while you adjust. In Dualwatch see IC-R20 Dualwatch.

Squelch

Push and hold [SQL] and rotate [R-DIAL]: OPEN, AUTO (noise pulse counting) and LEVEL 1-9.

Monitor

Push and hold [SQL] to listen to weak signals without changing the squelch, or to open the squelch when a mute function such as tone squelch is on. The first S-meter segment blinks. Set mode, MONITOR can be set to HOLD so each push toggles it.

Attenuator

Hold [REWIND/ATT] for 1 second to toggle the attenuator (about 30 dB). It prevents distortion when very strong signals or a broadcast transmitter are nearby. “ATT” shows. It can’t be used with the internal bar antenna or the earphone antenna.

RF Gain

Hold [FAST FORWARD/RF GAIN] for 1 second and rotate [R-DIAL] to choose a level (MAX to 1). Normally use MAX. Reducing it helps ignore weak signals while monitoring strong ones, and gives a minimum level in SSB and CW. Push [DUALWATCH] to exit.

Key Lock

Hold [. LOCK] for 1 second. Set mode, LOCK (expanded set mode) chooses which keys stay usable: NORMAL (volume and squelch), NO SQL, NO VOL or ALL. [POWER] and [. LOCK] always work.

Dial Speed-Up

Set mode, DIAL SPEED-UP (default ON) speeds up tuning when you spin [R-DIAL] fast.

Other Receive Functions

Tone squelch, AFC, noise blanker and duplex are covered in IC-R20 Tone Squelch, DTCS, Pocket Beep & Tone Scan and IC-R20 Duplex, AFC, Noise Functions & Antennas.