SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-squelch-weak-signal

How should squelch be set so you can hear a weak FM signal?

Set it so receiver audio is on all the time.

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  1. Set it so receiver audio is on all the time ✔
  2. Turn up the volume past the squelch threshold
  3. Turn on the anti-squelch function

Why: A weak signal may not be strong enough to open the squelch. Setting squelch so the audio is always on lets you hear signals buried in the noise.

Huh, didn't know that: Many radios have a monitor button that opens the squelch for a moment.

The dad joke
I opened my squelch all the way. Now I hear weak signals and every cricket in the county.
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References

Answer: Set it so receiver audio is on all the time. A weak signal may not be strong enough to open the squelch. Setting squelch so the audio is always on lets you hear signals buried in the noise.

  1. HamStudy 2026 Technician pool, T4B03 hamstudy.org/browse/E2_2026/T4B
    Set the squelch threshold so that receiver output audio is on all the time
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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Ham RadioWhat does the squelch function on a receiver do?Ham RadioWhich of these can you use to enter a transceiver's operating frequency?Ham RadioWhat does an FM signal sound like when received slightly off frequency?

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