SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-mic-gain-ssb

What happens when microphone gain is set too high on SSB?

The transmitted audio gets distorted.

  1. Increased SWR
  2. Distorted transmitted audio ✔
  3. Frequency instability

Why: Too much mic gain overdrives the transmitter, making your voice sound harsh and distorted. Turn it down until your audio is clean.

Huh, didn't know that: On FM, talking too loudly can make your audio drop out on voice peaks.

The dad joke
Why did the microphone get in trouble? It turned up the gain without asking.
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Sources

  1. NCVEC 2026-2030 Technician Question Pool (Element 2), errata Feb 19, 2026 https://www.ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf

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