Originally Posted by
extricate
Specifically, do you press the transmit button once before you transmit?
To amplify the thread linked to above on your specific question.
In ssb mode, pressing the ptt button alone does nothing. The idea is to put RF into the antenna tuner to force it to"tune up" for the frequency in use. Since there is no carrier in ssb mode, there is no RF output unless you add some audio modulation (traditionally you whistle into the mic) Or select AM, press the ptt button for a second or 2, then go back to ssb. Some radios have a "tune" button which does the same thing.
And definitely use a much slower and clearer technique than on VHF.