IC-R30 Squelch, Attenuator, RF Gain & Receive Functions

Summary: How to set the IC-R30’s squelch, attenuator and RF gain, and use the noise blanker, noise limiter, AFC, Voice Squelch Control and Speech function.

Squelch

Hold [SQL] and rotate [DIAL]. Options: OPEN (not available in digital modes), AUTO (default; automatic level using noise-pulse counting) and LEVEL 1 to 9 (1 is loose for weak signals, 9 is tight). Even when [DIAL] is assigned to volume you can still set the squelch with it.

Monitor

Hold [SQL] to listen to weak signals without changing the squelch (the first segments of the S-meter blink). Function, Monitor can be set to Hold so each push opens and closes the squelch.

Attenuator

Push [ATT] and choose ATT1 to ATT3 (higher attenuates more). It prevents distortion from a very strong nearby signal or field. The attenuator doesn’t work when the bar antenna is used for the AM broadcast band.

RF Gain

Push [QUICK], choose RF Gain, and select RFG1 to RFG9 or RFG MAX (default; nothing is displayed). Leave it at maximum normally; reducing it lowers sensitivity, and an indicator shows when it’s reduced.

Other Receive Functions (Quick Menu)

• Noise Blanker (NB) – removes pulse noise such as car ignition; LSB, USB and CW only.
• Automatic Noise Limiter (ANL) – reduces noise; AM and AM-N only.
• Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) – FM, FM-N and WFM.
• Voice Squelch Control (VSC) – opens the squelch or stops a scan only when voice is detected; FM, FM-N, WFM, AM and AM-N. It isn’t suited to continuous audio (such as a broadcast), which can break up: turn it off then.

Antennas

• Bar Antenna (Function, default Use): the internal bar antenna is used for the AM broadcast band 0.495-1.620 MHz. Sensitivity on the BC band is low if it’s set to Not used.
• Earphone Antenna (to 1.3 GHz) (default Not Used): lets the earphone cable act as an antenna as well as the external antenna.

Speech Function

Push [SPEECH] to hear the frequency and mode announced. In MENU, SPEECH you can also set DIAL SPEECH (announces the frequency one second after you rotate [DIAL]), MODE SPEECH, the SPEECH Language (English or Japanese), Alphabet (Normal or Phonetic), SPEECH Speed (Slow or Fast) and SPEECH Level (0 off to 9). If the Speech function doesn’t work, check the level isn’t 0. In D-STAR mode the caller’s call sign can be announced (see IC-R30 Digital Modes: D-STAR, P25, dPMR, NXDN & DCR).