USB & LSB on HF radio???

[fly_boy]

Could someone with some know-how pls explain the difference or significance of the USB and LSB on the HF radio. What or when can one or the other be used?

[Bouncing Tigger]

Simple put, USB (upper side band) and LSB (lower side band) are parts of the same signal. An AM (amplitude signal) consists of "the carrier" with any modulation on that carrier creating the 2 sidebands, one upper and one lower. A SSB (single side band) signal has the carrier and one of the sidebands removed.
The 2 main advantages being that the tx is much more efficiant and the signal much narrower taking up less bandwidth so getting more stations in a given space.
As to which to use it does not matter but BOTH the tx & rx need to be on the same one

Hope this is of help.

Tig.

[no sig]

FlyBoy

Also, by ICAO convention, all aeronautical comms are conducted in USB.