SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hamg-zero-beat

In CW operation, what does "zero beat" mean?

Matching your transmit frequency to the received signal.

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  1. Operating split to avoid interference
  2. Sending without any errors
  3. Matching your transmit frequency to the received signal ✔

Why: When you tune your receiver to a signal so the tone drops to zero, your transmitter is on the same frequency. That way the other operator hears you right where they expect.

Huh, didn't know that: Full break-in CW, called QSK, lets the sending station hear between the dots and dashes it sends.

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You know you're a ham when you tap out HI in Morse code on your car horn to another ham.
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References

Answer: Matching your transmit frequency to the received signal. When you tune your receiver to a signal so the tone drops to zero, your transmitter is on the same frequency. That way the other operator hears you right where they expect.

  1. NCVEC 2023-2027 General Class Pool and Syllabus (6th Errata, Feb 4 2026) ncvec.org/downloads/General%20Class%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%202023-2027%20Public%20Release%20with%206th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    Matching the transmit frequency to the frequency of a received signal
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. NCVEC 2023-2027 General Class Pool and Syllabus (6th Errata, Feb 4 2026) ncvec.org/downloads/General%20Class%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%202023-2027%20Public%20Release%20with%206th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    Transmitting stations can receive between code characters and elements
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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